Campers show off their STEM activity during Girls Inc. of Johnson County’s summer camp in 2021.
The holiday season has come and gone.
But the need remains as strong as ever.
For local nonprofits and social service agencies, the season around Thanksgiving and Christmas is a time of incredible generosity. Organizations, schools and families collected non-perishable food to give to pantries throughout Johnson County. Individuals and businesses make sizeable donations to the groups that are personally meaningful to them.
Churches and other entities focus on service and giving in an embodiment of the season.
Johnson County nonprofit groups are always thankful for the selfless attitude the community shows at the end of each year. But the months of January, February and March can be a difficult time for those organizations as donations slow down just as need increases.
To keep the generous spirit going well into the new year, here are the needs that different local groups are facing.
Girls Inc. of Johnson County
Needs: The strongest needs are monetary, and the other is other is volunteers. The organization can always use scholarship support to sponsor a girl, as they never turn a girl away due to her inability to pay. Regarding monetarily needs, $15 a week sponsors a girl to attend after school, $275 a week sponsors a girl to attend after school for a semester, while $100 will provide breakfast or a snack one day of summer camp for 50 girls.
How to get involved: Monetary donations can be mailed to Girls Inc. of Johnson County at 200 E. Madison St., Franklin, IN 46131. Donations can also be made online at girlsincjc.org or over the phone at 317-736-5344. Volunteers are also needed for services such as helping maintain the Girls Inc. grounds, tutoring, facilitating after-school classes, being a guest speaker or taking part in outreach programs. Call to find out more.
Interchurch Food Pantry
Needs: Monetary donations are most needed this time of year. The pantry can stretch donations further through our bulk purchase partners. For donors who prefer to give food, winter favorites include chili, soup, oatmeal and muffin mixes. The pantry can also use $10 gift cards for gas, grocery stores or fast food.
How to get involved: Join the pantry’s volunteer team and make a direct impact in the fight against hunger. Volunteers are needed 10:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Monday through Friday to sort, stock, pack and distribute food. Drivers are needed to pick up donations with their box truck (no commercial driver’s license required). Volunteers are needed to deliver food to homebound households. To sign up, email [email protected] to volunteer.
Johnson County Senior Services
Needs: The organization, which provides a variety of services to older adults throughout the county, is in need of protein, for example, peanut butter, tuna, canned chicken, beef stew, hearty soups, cereal, complete pancake mix and syrup, any frozen easy to prepare meals, grocery store gift cards to purchase milk, eggs, and bread.
How to get involved: Volunteers are always needed so anyone interested in getting involved may call the group’s office at 317-738-4544 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. Monday through Friday. Donated items may also be delivered to the office located at 36 W. CR 600 N., Whiteland (across from Break-O-Day Elementary School) They may also email kimberysmith@jcsenior services.org.
The Social of Greenwood
Needs: The Social is a gathering space for Greenwood and southside seniors that provides programs, activities and services designed to enhance the quality of life of those 50 and older. The nonprofit organization offers community lunches, fitness programs and a hotline offering information about such topics as low-income housing, senior care, Medicare and Medicaid and transportation. During this time of year, monetary donations are the most helpful. It allows the group to allocate donations to support basic operating expenses. It’s difficult to find grants that can be used for this. The organization is always in need of volunteers, especially because they have a very small staff.
How to get involved: Donate directly at thesocialofgreenwood.org/supportthesocial. Anyone interested in volunteering for The Social can visit our website at www.thesocialofgreenwood.org or call 317-882-4810.
The Refuge
Needs: The Refuge, a Greenwood nonprofit helping to feed the hungry, is in need of specific food items and hygiene items to pass out to the rising number of clients. Right now their numbers have been higher than ever due to the rise in cost for groceries and gasoline. The pantry is low on canned fruit, canned pasta and rice.
How to get involved: Organizers would love to have monthly business partners do a food drive during a specific month and collect specific food items that are needed. Partners could name it or theme it however they want, but they would then be the business partner of that month. The Refuge leaders also are hoping for some business sponsors for upcoming fundraisers.
Turning Point Domestic Violence Services
Needs: Their biggest gaps include in-kind donations and client financial assistance. The most current and emerging needs can always be found on the Shelter Needs List (www.turningpointdv.org/shelter-needs). The organization is also in need of gift cards from Kroger, Walmart, etc., in order to address food insecurity being seen throughout the community.
How to get involved: Turning Point is always in need of volunteers. This is also listed on their website under the “Get Involved” tab (https://www.turningpointdv.org/makeadonation). The volunteer coordinator can be reached at [email protected]. Johnson County Turning Point also has a coalition that consists of local agencies, businesses and volunteers that want to get more involved in advocacy work. People can connect with Michele Lee, the director of community services for Johnson County, at [email protected].
Boys & Girls Clubs of Johnson County
Need: The biggest ask is for people to consider making a small monthly recurring donation. While they are incredibly grateful for the generosity of our one-time annual donors, it’s essential to highlight that the programming lasts all year long. These consistent, monthly contributions help the club maintain low program costs for the families they serve, ensuring that the impact extends throughout the entire year. In addition to monetary contributions, Boys & Girls Club appreciates in-kind donations. Items such as arts and crafts supplies, crayons, and gift cards to Amazon can make a significant difference in enhancing the quality of our programs and activities.
How to get involved: To make a real and lasting difference, people can start a recurring monthly donation at https://www.bgcf.net/give-today and follow the simple steps to contribute.
IMPACT Center
Needs: The IMPACT Center is always in need of canned meats (tuna/chicken/SPAM) and toiletries, as they are not covered by food stamp dollars. In addition, since the pantry does lose some volunteers who spend winters in warmer climates, they do need help with drivers for pickups throughout the week and volunteers to help during our Thursday distributions from 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
How to get involved: Anyone interested in helping can contact Amber Clark at [email protected] or contact call us at 317-889-9650.
Edinburgh Food Pantry
Needs: In the past few months, the number of families the pantry is serving has increased from 40 to 60 each time we are open and many of those families are bigger. Thanks to many generous donors and items left over from the Good Cheer drive, the shelves are full and will take us through the next several months. Some items will run out much sooner than others. The pantry has more than enough canned corn and green beans along with at least a year’s supply of ramen. Things they run out of quickly are canned meats and other items like ravioli that will serve as a main dish at mealtime. The pantry gets bread, desserts, snack items, and drinks donated.
How to get involved: Cash is always something people can provide to get involved. Because the pantry gets much of its food from Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana at a reduced cost, they can buy more with a donor’s dollars than the public can.
