Ideas for donation for poor children in the US.

[efhmc]

The women in this small Tx. town are holding a garage sale to help our candidates. We will have a separate table with toys and kids' items. The money from this area will be donated to a children's organization. It must be a nonreligious organization with at least 10% or less of the money going to organizational costs. Do you have any ideas/thoughts? Thanks.

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. Your local foster family association

That would be my first suggestion.

Without knowing your community it's hard to suggest others.

[efhmc]

6. Thanks. One of our members is on the local board. I will

check with her.

[PeaceNikki]

2. Local food pantries are always a good choice

Or poke around here, lots of good data: http://www.charitynavigator.org

[efhmc]

4. Unfortunately, they are all associated with religious orgs.

[TBF]

7. How about a women's shelter -

in your area or in the nearest larger city?

[efhmc]

15. That is a great idea and of course helps children also, but

I wanted to directly impact children.

[TBF]

21. Then I would go with the "Toys for Tots" idea below - I love that group.

I've given them monetary donations in previous years and they are awesome.

[efhmc]

22. Will include it in my list. Thanks

[Lindsay]

3. No suggestions, just wanted to say

good on ya.

:yourock:

[efhmc]

8. Thanks.

[Donnachaidh]

5. food pantries. local.

They really try to do so much, especially at Xmas. Our local St Vincent dePaul brought us a feast on the holidays. And no proselytizing, no handing out of bibles, etc.

[efhmc]

10. You are right, but cannot use organizations which are

religious.

[PeaceNikki]

13. Use charity navigator

http://www.charitynavigator.org/

For example:
Help Those Hurt by the Economic Slump
http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=content.view&cpid=733

Here's a good one in Texas: http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=6589

[efhmc]

20. This is why I come to DU for info. Thanks so much.

[Donnachaidh]

25. do you have any non-religious foodbanks in your area?

We don't have any here. :shrug:

[efhmc]

29. No. In Austin, there is an area food bank, but not here.

[Deb]

9. Head Start

Just call your local Head Start preschool. Your donation will be matched with Federal funds to the local program and you will get a tax deduction.

How very kind of you!

[efhmc]

16. I love this idea. Especially since the funds are matched by

repug hated government!!

[leftstreet]

11. Why not just take the toys and kid items to the kids themselves?

:shrug:

[efhmc]

17. People really prefer cash so they can buy what

is needed.

[Cid_B]

12. Does it have to be a children's org?

[efhmc]

18. No, Our food pantry has a form for those getting

food which asks all sorts of religious questions: including asking what church one goes to and if you want someone to contact you for religious consoling.

[Cid_B]

24. Wounder Warrior Foundation

... is my suggestion.

Lots of good work done there. Not sure about their % in overhead.

Check my sig for link...

[efhmc]

27. Thanks. I will research it.

[in_cog_ni_to]

14. Marine's Toys For Tots takes cash donations too...not just Toys. The Holidays are coming.

That may be a good choice. :)

http://www.toysfortots.org/donate/default.asp

[efhmc]

19. Thank you. I will pass this info along.

[JI7]

23. toys for tots, make a wish foundation

because of the holidays i like toys idea .

[Uben]

26. Think about CASA....

.....Court appointed special advocates for children, one of my favorite charities. These people really do stand in for the kids. Child protective Services are more interested in closing cases than helping kids. The folks at CASA step in and do the things CPS can't or won't. They make sure the kids health and safety are foremost in consideration, and they have more power than CPS to correct a bad situation.

[efhmc]

28. I am very familiar with this group. They are great.