graysmom asked:

I’m from a WASPy town and haven’t had contact with many non-Christians. I’m not trying to be rude or insulting, I just want info.

Christian churches & organizations like the Salvation Army and the Christian Children’s Fund do so much for people of all faiths. They run soup kitchens & homeless shelters, provide food & medical care for refugees, facilitate adoptions, have coat & blanket drives for needy persons, run community food pantries, organize after school & summer programs for kids, provide free counseling for troubled marriages and depressed individuals. When my friend had surgery & couldn’t care for her family, members of her church came into her home & took care of the cooking, laundy, & housework for her. Often, the services are available to people regardless of their religious beliefs.

What do non-Christians for for the less fortunate? Do they provide the same for those who don’t share their beliefs, or do you have to belong to their faith/group to qualify for benefits?

Anita D asked:

There are other things 2 give like toys and blankets that r hardly used. Other than salvation Army, why can’t I donate clothes to shelters, & if that is the case why can’t I find anything about who excepts them? When the Tsunami hit, red cross was asking 4 money 4 blankets, all the blankets people have in their house they could be donating and then RC could use money 4 other items. It is situtation like this, I really don’t understand. It seems that they want money to get what they want and there is so much stuff out in the US that people buy don’t use and then throw away. I really don’t get it.

mom of two asked:

My son’s 2nd grade class does a community project every month and this month they want to donate goods to Hurricane Ike victims. I need to find a local drop off point because the class mom does not want to have to pay for shipping. We live in NJ (close to the PA border / Easton PA). I tried the Red Cross, Salvation Army etc but they are only collecting monetary donations. The kids want to donate blankets and books and such. Any ideas are greatly appreciated.

Lindsey T asked:

I live in Michigan, and I have a ton of gently worn baby clothes and blankets etc. Does anyone know of any charities I could donate these too. I would prefer it go somewhere where it won’t be resold such as salvation army and whatnot. A battered women’s home, single parent charity, etc. Any ideas would be great. I just want it all to go to good use because I know there are plenty of people who need it. Thanks!

OR asked:

Hi,

I am moving in few weeks and have lots of used clothes, pillows blankets etc and feel bad to take it to a dumpster. I called the Purple Heart and they said they have no available pick up dates any time soon.

Does anyone know where I can just drop the boxes off without going through it (like Salvation Army) or if someone can pick it up?

I am in Gaithersburg, MD

Thanks for all your help!

lilliebella asked:

I would like to know the percent of canadians that hepl the hoemelss. ex. soup kitchens, salvation army, the missions and just people who hand out blankets and what not. I need to know this for a project at school.