Dry Goods
St. Mark’s Church in the Bowery
131 E. 10th St., nr. Second Ave. 212-674-6377
The Lower East Side parish feeds up to 40 neighborhood families year-round. In winter—when there are no Greenmarket leftovers—it relies on donations of canned, boxed, and bagged nonperishables. Provisions are accepted 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.
Spongebob, Etc.
St. John’s Bread and Life
795 Lexington Ave., nr. Malcolm X Blvd., Bedford-Stuyvesant 718-574-0058
This nonprofit distributes new toys to more than 5,500 children every Christmas. Call St. John’s or e-mail director Anthony Butler (abutler@breadandlife.org) for this year’s wish list (basketballs, games, anything SpongeBob).
Kids’ Clothes and Accessories
The Children’s Aid Society
105 E. 22nd St., at Park Ave. 212-949-4684
The Society is in dire need of new shoes and apparel—as well as strollers, diaper bags, car seats, and high chairs—for the 100,000 kids (ages 0 to 11) that it serves. Call ahead to schedule a drop-off.
Toiletries
The Bowery Mission
227 Bowery, nr. Prince St. 800-269-3791
The poverty-rescue group is collecting travel-size personal-hygiene items to distribute on Thanksgiving and welcomes new, full-size toiletries for its other initiatives. Drop off donations 24/7.
Pet Supplies
Animal Care & Control of New York City
11 Park Pl., nr. Broadway, Ste. 805, nycacc.org
Its funding was decreased this year, making the rescuers at AC&C hard up for canned pet food (specifically Purina, Friskies, and Fancy Feast), as well as toys and blankets. Check the website for daily, location-specific donation hours.
Bikes
Recycle-A-Bicycle
35 Pearl St., nr. Plymouth St., Dumbo 718-858-2972
75 Ave. C, nr. 5th St. 212-475-1655
Drop off new and gently used youth and adult bicycles (road bikes are especially in demand), plus bike parts, helmets, tools, and other gear. R.A.B. will arrange a pickup for donations of ten or more bikes.
Office and School Supplies
Mercy Center
377 E. 145th St., nr. Willis Ave., the Bronx; 718-993-2789
For its women’s job-training program, the center needs new 1 and 2 GB flash drives, Spanish-English dictionaries, school supplies, and copy paper. Donations may be mailed or dropped off during business hours and Saturdays 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Household Basics
New York Foundling
590 Sixth Ave., nr. 17th St. 212-886-4039
The child-welfare agency is seeking new kitchen gear, linens, and other household goods for teens who are aging out of the foster-care system and moving into their first apartments. Call or e-mail inkind@nyfoundling.org to schedule a drop-off.
Art Supplies
Free Arts NYC
1431 Broadway, nr. 40th St., seventh fl. 212-974-9092
Especially in demand at this arts-mentoring organization: large white T-shirts, Art1st Sketch Diary six-by-nine-inch sketchbooks, Crayola Model Magic Classpacks in primary colors, digital cameras, and classic art supplies. Donations may be mailed or dropped off on Friday afternoons.
Winter Coats
New York Cares
212-402-1173, newyorkcares.org
This massive volunteer organization collected 70,423 coats last year; it will host its 22nd annual coat drive December 1 to 31. New and freshly laundered used coats may be dropped off at locations citywide, all of which are listed on its website.
Flip Cams and Smart Pens
Human Rights Watch
350 Fifth Ave., nr. 34th St., 34th fl. 212-290-4700
Researchers from this nonprofit are stationed in conflict areas from the Congo to Kazakhstan and need Flip Ultra HD video cameras and Livescribe smart pens to document human-rights violations. Donations may be mailed or dropped off during regular business hours.
TVs and Computers
Jewish Association for Services for the Aged
32 W. 31st St., nr. Seventh Ave. 212-273-5250
For its 21 senior centers, JASA relies on donations of new and gently used large-screen television sets and computers (PCs preferable) to entertain and educate its residents. Call the association’s office to coordinate a donation.