BEDFORD-STUYVESANT — You don’t need to drain your bank account to spread a little cheer this holiday.
Brooklyn locals can celebrate the season with ample opportunity to give back to the community in Bedford-Stuyvesant.
Organizations like the Bed-Stuy Campaign Against Hunger are on the lookout for assistance, with upwards of 80 percent of its pantry staff working as volunteers, according to Regina Ginyard, Director of Communications and Community Engagement at BSCAH.
“Especially during the height of the season, we rely heavily on the kindness and generosity of volunteers who want to donate their time to hundreds of families,” Ginyard said. “If it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t be able to open our doors.”
Whether it’s donating children’s clothes or serving meals to those in need, check out where and how you can help.
Bed-Stuy Campaign Against Hunger, 2010 Fulton St.
More than 25,000 individuals from all over New York City receive assistance from the Bed-Stuy Campaign Against Hunger food pantry each month, with lines down Fulton Street every day, Ginyard said.
In addition to food donations, BSCAH is seeking toys for kids up to 12 years old for a Dec. 18 toy drive, where Santa will make a guest appearance for families and neighborhood residents.
The group is also in need of volunteers for the upcoming holiday week, with tasks that include stocking shelves, unloading deliveries and assisting customers with shopping.
Monetary donations can also be made online.
Toys can be dropped off at the Fulton Street location. For more information, head here.
ACA Branding & Advertising Agency, 441 Marcus Garvey Blvd.
Donate your slightly used coats and toys at local business ACA Branding and Advertising Agency’s holiday drive.
The agency will host the event in conjunction with the opening of its new Bed-Stuy location.
Proceeds will go toward Jericho Road Inc., a community-based organization aimed at educating families in need and tackling the issue of domestic violence. Other items will benefit the Inwood House, which provides teen pregnancy prevention education and teen family support in the city.
ACA’s coat and toy drive will be held on Dec. 16 from 7 to 10 p.m.
79th Precinct Community Council, 263 Tompkins Ave.
The 79th Precinct Community Council hosts its annual Christmas and Kwanzaa celebration for children aged 1 through 13.
Donations are always appreciated, with 2,000 children anticipated at the event, according to Kim Best, community council president.
Organizers are accepting toys, books and brand-new clothing for the Dec. 20 party at J.H.S. 258.
For more information on donation pick-up or drop-off, contact Kim Best at 917-864-8170.
Neighbors Together, 2094 Fulton St.
Soup kitchen and social service center Neighbors Together aims to end poverty and hunger in Brooklyn’s Ocean Hill, Brownsville and Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhoods.
The organization holds a Thirty Thanksgivings campaign to raise money for the 30 lunch and dinner meals served to hundreds of individuals between Dec. 4 and Dec. 24.
Volunteer spots are also available through orientations.
Neighbors Together is also collecting new and gently used coats, clothing and toys for distribution on Dec. 18 during the organization’s dinner meal.
For volunteer opportunities or to donate items, email volunteer@neighborstogether.org.
St. John’s Bread and Life, 795 Lexington Ave.
St. John’s Bread and Life, which provides meals to New Yorkers in need, is raising money for its emergency food program.
Shoppers in stores and online at Whole Foods Market Third and 3rd in Gowanus can contribute a portion of their purchase to the nonprofit on Dec.16.
Five percent of total net sales will go toward St. John’s Bread and Life.
The organization’s annual Sponsor a Family campaign aims to help provide 5,000 children and teens with gifts, along with giving 2,000 families meals to share at home together. It also provides the homeless with gloves, hats and socks.
Volunteers can pack and distribute gifts and meals on Dec. 20 and 21. Hams for holiday meals and monetary donations are also accepted.
For more information, head here.
