The holiday season is a time for giving. What better way to give than to give back to others in need in NW Arkansas? Not only does it help our NW Arkansas communities grow stronger, but if you involve your children, it gives them a lifelong lesson in the importance of helping others when you can. With that in mind, here are ways you and your family can get involved in giving back in Northwest Arkansas this holiday season ... and all year long.
Know of a toy, clothing, or food drive we missed or a volunteer opportunity locally that we left out? Let us know by sending an email to karaa@macaronikid.com and we'll add it to our list!
Donating toys, clothes, or food in NW Arkansas
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Toy Drives in Northwest Arkansas
A good place to start is Toys for Tots. Many Marine centers that organize Toys for Tots maintain an online list of where you can drop toys and other needed items. Other places to search: Churches and nonprofits.
The Shelter Shop
Details: The Shelter Shop provides customers the opportunity to purchase new and gently-used apparel, toys, furnishings, home goods and seasonal items while generating revenue to fulfill the mission of The Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter. Donate your unwanted merchandise to provide HOPE for kids in crisis. We gladly accept good, saleable-condition clothing, toys, home goods, accessories, books, seasonal items and furniture.
How to donate: Donations are currently being accepted Thursday through Saturday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sunday 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm at 2700 W Walnut, Rogers, AR
(479) 202-5230
Have questions? (479) 202-5230
CASA of NW Arkansas
Details: Court Appointed Special Advocates of Northwest Arkansas provides compassionate volunteers who advocate for abused and neglected children. We are committed to ensuring a consistent voice, safe home, and promising future for children in foster care. We are happy to accept new and unused toys and games. Due to a lack of warehouse space, we are unable to take donations of clothing.
How to donate: Drop off at 3825 Cawood Ln. Springdale, AR 72762
Have questions? 479-725-2213
Arkansas Children's Hospital NW
Details: As a non-profit hospital, we rely generously on the support of caring community members to help us provide the highest level of care to all kids who come through our doors. New toys, books, and craft items deliver compassion and joy to children in the hospital. We are always in need of these items. We have needs lists available for our most needed items. Please see our donation guidelines. Items must be new and delivered in original packaging - and should not be labeled with identifying donor contact information.
How to donate: Ship from their Amazon wish list or you may schedule a donation drop-off here.
Have questions? 479-279-2054
Headstart of NW Arkansas
Details: EOA Head Start is a federally funded child development program designed to help break the cycle of poverty by providing infants and preschool children of low-income families with a comprehensive program to meet their emotional, social, nutritional, and psychological needs. EOA Head Start aims to increase school readiness in low-income children and promote parental involvement in early childhood development through education, advocacy, and childcare services. EOA Head Start has eight centers located throughout Washington County. They do accept new and gently used toys for their childcare centers.
How to donate: You may drop off at any of the 8 centers or at the Head Start office at 1643 E. Huntsville Road Fayetteville, AR 72701
Have questions? 479) 521-5571 or INFO@EOAHEADSTART.ORG
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Food Drives in Northwest Arkansas
Cookies for NICU families
Details: Pitch in $11 to cover the cost of a dozen cookies to be given to a local NICU family!
How to donate: The local nonprofit The Jackson Graves Foundation has an easy Paypal donation button here.
Have questions? (479) 466-8339 or info@jacksongraves.org
7 Hills Homeless Center
Details:
Shelf-stable food is preferable, though we do accept some perishable items. Please do not donate food that has expired, is very near to expiring, or has been opened.
Suggestions: Vienna Sausage, Ravioli, Canned vegetables, Canned Soups, Granola bars/breakfast bars/protein bars, snacks, Beef jerky, bottled water
How to donate: All in-kind donations can be dropped off at our Day Center (1832 S School Ave, Fayetteville) on Tuesdays and Fridays between 1pm and 4pm.
Have questions? 479-966-4378 or info@7hillscenter.org
Cookies for Heroes NWA
Details:
Sign up to deliver cookies (or other treats) to a local fire department, police department, sheriff's office or hospital! This movement was started by local mom Tifffany Rea and her son Leo everal years ago and we want your help to keep the love going!
How to donate: Bring cookies (or breakfast, snacks, presents - really anything that will brighten their day!) to your local police department, fire department, or hospital! Use the link HERE to sign up for the department you want. If the department you're looking for isn't on the list, please let me know and I'll happily add it! If you cannot find a department in your area that has an open slot, or if there is a specific department you want for sentimental reasons and the slots are full, please let me know and I'll add an additional slot for you. I only put slot "limits" on them because I'm wanting to encourage people to spread the love to different departments, rather than one department getting all the love and others being left out.
Have questions? Email TiffanyAnnRea@gmail.com
Details: Many areas of NW Arkansas have Little Free Pantries. This is a nationwide movement but started in Fayetteville. They need 24/7 support to stay stocked for people in need.
How to donate: Find one close to you on this map; stop by anytime to donate nonperishable foods and/or hygiene items.
Have questions? here
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Clothing Drives in Northwest Arkansas
Dress for Success NWA
Details: Dress for Success NWA, a local nonprofit, is hosting a clothing drive for women’s business casual/professional clothing. Our programs empower women to secure employment, retain their jobs, grow their careers, provide for their families and improve their lives. As an affiliate of the Dress for Success Worldwide network, we offer long-lasting solutions that enable women to break the cycle of poverty. Together with our community, our mission is to empower women toward economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, and programs to help them thrive in work and in life. As the holidays are approaching, we are all looking for ways to give back to the community. Currently, we're experiencing a need for trendy business-appropriate clothing (especially size 12 & up) at both our Fayetteville and Rogers locations.
Items we would love to receive:
Dressy tops & sweaters
Cardigans & blazers
Trousers and pants
Shoes
Purses
Jewelry
How to donate: Donations day will be every Tuesday for the month of November at both locations. The DFS Rogers location is located at 100 N Dixieland Rd B8, Rogers, AR in the Frisco Station Mall. The Fayetteville location is found at 115 S Willow Ave, Fayetteville, AR 72701 inside the Historic Saint James Church. If you need help finding the buildings, the offices can be reached at (479) 877-6910.
Have questions? (479) 877-6910.
Supporting Pets in NWA:
Details: Fayetteville Library has a Christmas Angel tree up for donations of pet supplies and food for the Fayetteville Animal Shelter from now until Dec 23rd.
How to donate: Please consider choosing a pet angel to love on this Holiday season. Each ornament has a gift idea for an animal at the shelter. Gifts include blankets, treats, and toys.
Questions? Call the library at 479-856-7000
Details:Friends of the Prairie Grove Pound supports the Prairie Grove Pound, a no-kill shelter. They can always use donations of these items:
Wet dog food/ wet cat food
Dry dog/cat food
Blankets( no zippers, frills, or stuffing)
Kitty litter(clumping)
Deodorizer for litter boxes (Arm & Hammer brand)
Collars/leashes (any size)
Dog toys (nothing with stuffing in them or small enough to swallow)
Dog Treats!!
How to donate: You can drop donations at the Prairie Grove Police Department at 955 E Douglas in Prairie Grove or at 314 E Parks St in Prairie Grove on the porch!
They can also use volunteers to walk the dogs week days mornings beginning at 9 AM and afternoons beginning at 4 PM. Please call the Prairie Grove Police Department at 479-846-3270. press two for animal control to sign up. Must be 18 yr or older, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.
