In addition to buying gifts and making goodies, Christmas is also a time when families look to give.
If giving to local organizations is on your holiday to-do list, plenty of charities could use your help.
Here is a look at who you can help, what they need the most and how to donate.
<h4><strong>Good Cheer Fund</strong></h4>
<strong>What’s needed?</strong> Monetary donations.
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<strong>Where do the donations go?</strong> All of the money goes toward the food bill to fill baskets with perishable and nonperishable foods. Last year’s bill was more than $40,000 for 800 baskets.
<strong>How to donate:</strong> Donations can be mailed to the Daily Journal, P.O. Box 699, Franklin, IN 46131, or dropped off at the Daily Journal at 30 S. Water St., Second floor, Suite A, in Franklin. Checks must be made out to the Good Cheer Fund.
<h4><strong>The Social of Greenwood</strong></h4>
<strong>What’s needed?</strong> Volunteers, food for the food pantry and monetary donations.
<strong>Where do the donations go?</strong> Programming, the food pantry and operational expenses for services for those who are 50 and older in Johnson County.
<strong>How to donate:</strong> Donations can be dropped off at The Social of Greenwood, 550 Polk St., Greenwood. Business hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
<h4><strong>The Lord’s Cupboard</strong></h4>
<strong>What’s needed?</strong> Toys, items for men and coats for both kids and adults. Furniture and household items are also accepted.
<strong>Where do the donations go?</strong> To the shop in Johnson County. People with vouchers can shop for free. Those who do not have a voucher can shop at a discounted price. Some items also are given to churches and other nonprofit organizations. On average, they help 100 to 150 people with vouchers per month.
<strong>How to donate:</strong> Donations can be dropped off at 606 Banta St., Franklin, during business hours, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
<h4><strong>Interchurch Food Pantry</strong></h4>
<strong>What’s needed?</strong> Oatmeal, canned meat, jelly, peanut butter, cooking oil and items used for baking.
<strong>Where do the donations go?</strong> To the food pantry for families and individuals who are in need.
<strong>How to donate:</strong> Food drives at schools, churches and other locations throughout Johnson County, as well as monetary donations. Checks and other donations can be delivered to 211 Commerce Drive, Franklin. Business hours are noon to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday.
<h4><strong>Megan’s Fund</strong></h4>
<strong>What’s needed?</strong> General items, such as toys, hats, gloves, books, toiletries, etc. People also can sponsor families.
<strong>Where do the donations go?</strong> Megan’s Fund works through several schools and organizations to supply families that are in need, including toys for children.
<strong>How to donate:</strong> Checks made out to Megan’s Fund can be sent to 1041 Barefoot Trail, Greenwood, IN 46142. Monetary donations can also be made through “Megan’s Fund — Holiday Program” on GoFundMe.com. For more information, email <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a>.
<h4><strong>Johnson County Senior Services</strong></h4>
<strong>What’s needed?</strong> Gift cards, socks, diabetic socks, soft throws/blankets, no-slip slippers, gloves, soft scarves, cleaning supplies, paper supplies, canned foods, soups, crackers, beef stew, peanut butter, jelly, cereal, oatmeal and other foods that are easy to prepare. Also accepted are durable medical equipment like wheelchairs, walkers, or shower seats, and protective adult underwear.
<strong>Where do the donations go?</strong> Donations go to seniors in Johnson County in need.
<strong>How to donate:</strong> Donations can be dropped off at the office at 731 S. State St., Franklin. The office is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Donations also can be given to the Key Bank in Franklin, 1750 Northwood Plaza Drive, Franklin. A Christmas wish list is also set up on Christmas trees at the Franklin Kroger Marketplace store, 970 N. Morton St., and the Kroger at 3100 Meridian Parke Drive, Greenwood.
<h4><strong>Boys and Girls Club of Franklin</strong></h4>
<strong>What’s needed?</strong> More volunteers are always welcome. Items of various types for children can be donated as long as they are in fully operational condition, such as robotics equipment for a new robotics club. Monetary donations toward the club’s programs and operational costs are also always accepted. Arts and crafts supplies are also always needed.
<strong>Where do the donations go?</strong> To the kids involved with the club’s activities through programs, toys, entertainment, etc.
<strong>How to donate:</strong> Donate by going online to boysgirlsfranklin.org or bring donations to the club at 101 N. Hurricane St., Franklin.
<h4><strong>Girls Inc. of Johnson County</strong></h4>
<strong>What’s needed?</strong> A campaign to renovate and expand the Franklin facility is underway, so monetary donations toward the campaign, as well as operational costs, are always welcome.
<strong>Where do the donations go?</strong> Toward programming, renovations, scholarships and supporting the girls.
<strong>How to donate:</strong> Donations can be made over the phone by calling 317-736-5344. People also can come in to the office at 200 E. Madison St., Franklin, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Online donations can be made at girlsinc.org.
<h4><strong>Youth Connections</strong></h4>
<strong>What’s needed?</strong> Monetary donations and more host families.
<strong>Where do the donations go?</strong> To several programs, as well as custody evaluations, firewalls for computers and snacks for clients.
<strong>How to donate:</strong> Online at youthconnections.org, or by sending checks to the office at 592 Ironwood Drive, Franklin, IN 46131
<h4><strong>United Way of Johnson County</strong></h4>
<strong>What’s needed?</strong> Monetary donations. The agency is in the midst of a $1.51 million fundraising campaign and is nearly halfway to the goal.
<strong>Where do the donations go?</strong> To the 18 agencies the organization funds, as well as the eight programs the organization runs.
<strong>How to donate:</strong> Visit uwjc.org or write a check and send it to 594 Ironwood Drive, P.O. Box 153, Franklin, IN 46131. Payroll deductions are available at participating employers.
<h4><strong>The Refuge</strong></h4>
<strong>What’s needed?</strong> Refrigerated and freezer items, such as meat, dairy and yogurt, as well as hygienic items.
<strong>Where do the donations go?</strong> Any family in Johnson County in need.
<strong>How to donate:</strong> Drop off items at their office at 65 Airport Parkway, Greenwood. Office hours are 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Monday and Wednesday and 8 a.m. to noon Thursday. Or you can schedule a pickup by calling 317-889-7338.
<h4><strong>KIC-IT</strong></h4>
<strong>What’s needed?</strong> Mainly monetary donations.
<strong>Where do the donations go?</strong> For people enrolled in the program, donations help them pay bills and keep them in their homes, or help them find new ones.
<strong>How to donate:</strong> Donations can be made on the website kic-it.org, or by going to their office at 1015 Grizzly Cub Drive, Franklin.
<h4><strong>Lord’s Locker</strong></h4>
<strong>What’s needed?</strong> Monetary donations.
<strong>Where do the donations go?</strong> To help pay bills, utilities and rent.
<strong>How to donate:</strong> Monetary donations can be sent to the Lord’s Locker, P.O. Box 327, Trafalgar, IN 46181.
<h4><strong>Salvation Army</strong></h4>
<strong>What’s needed?</strong> Monetary donations and canned goods, cereal and other non perishable foods.
<strong>Where do the donations go?</strong> To Johnson County residents who visit the food pantry and need help throughout the year.
<strong>How to donate:</strong> Money can be dropped in red kettles outside several stores. You also can donate online at donate.salvationarmyusa.org, and items can be dropped off at 325 Market Plaza, Greenwood, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
