Charitable drives are held throughout the year in metro Atlanta, but the holidays are often the season of giving. Many worthy causes raise money, collect toys, stock food banks and find other ways to help the community even more this time of year.
The following are some charitable drives being held in metro Atlanta:
High Museum Atlanta Wine Auction Paddle Raise
The High Museum’s Paddle Raise provides students with free admission and transportation, gives teachers free resources and materials for their classrooms and provides a Welcome Back coupon for students and their parents to visit the High. A donation of $14 provides these benefits for a student, and the program has helped 134,163 students since 2006.
Coat Drive-Thru at Frederick Douglass High School
Coats and jackets (new or gently used and clean), sizes youth to adult, are being collected for families in need. Coats are particularly needed for children and teens. Drop off donations by Dec. 11 during regular business hours at Frederick Douglass High School, Cascade Package Store, CelebInk Studios or Lux Styles Barbershop. The giveaway will be held at the high school from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Dec. 19.
‘Tis the Season Art Show and Toy Drive
The show will be held from 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Sun., Dec. 20 at Atlantucky Brewing, 493 Nelson St. SW, Atlanta. You’ll receive free entry if you bring a new toy or make a $5 donation. Art will be raffled, and tickets are $3 each. Proceeds from this pop-up art show will be donated to the Atlanta Children’s Shelter to distribute to families for Christmas.
Roswell-based Children’s Restoration Network serves homeless children and homeless mothers with children living in group homes and shelters. During the 12 Days of Caring, you can sponsor gifts for a child in a specific age group.
Every year, Toys for Tots collects new, unwrapped toys in October, November and December to give to less fortunate children in the community. Find a drop-off site here, and note that due to COVID-19, Publix stores are no longer a drop-off site this year. You can also shop the organization’s Amazon wish list and have the toys sent to the Toys for Tots warehouse.
Lift Up Atlanta collects new toys and clothes for children in need and food baskets and household goods for their families. New toys and clothing are requested for children up to age 12, and clothing and gift cards are collected for children age 13-17. Donations are accepted through Dec. 19 at the following locations: Fulton County Oak Hill Center, 2805 Metropolitan Parkway SW, Atlanta and MADabolic, 661 Auburn Ave. #260, Atlanta. You can also adopt a children or family and buy the items from their wish lists by emailing liftupatlanta@yahoo.com.
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Gifts are collected through Dec. 15 to help brighten the holidays for patients of Children’s Healthcare. For a holiday wish list as well as addresses for where you can take your donations, click here.
City of Alpharetta Holiday Food Drive
Though Dec. 18, the city of Alpharetta is collecting non-perishable food items and toiletries for the North Fulton Community Charities Pantry. Drop-off locations are available throughout Alpharetta.
The following are the pantry’s most-needed items:
- Beets
- Peas
- Baby items
- Canned meats and tuna
- Cereal
- Oatmeal
- Dried beans
- Dried pasta
- Pasta sauce/tomato sauce and paste
- Pasta dinners in box
- Peanut butter/Nut butters/Jelly
- Mac n’ cheese cups
- Ramen packs
- Canned beans (no kidney beans)
- Non-perishable soups/Broths
- Hamburger Helper-type meals
- All toiletries
