7 Places to Donate This Holiday Season

It’s the giving season.

But you don’t always have to give to family or friends.

Once you are finished with your Black Friday shopping, you might want to consider donating to one of the nonprofits that serve West Pasco and other parts of the county

Here is a list of nonprofits that operate locally, along with tips on how to donate to them and specific needs if they are known.

The first three of the following agencies are doing holiday-specific campaigns. They are partnering with each other for these campaigns and requiring applicants for donations to register for their programs to reduce redundancies.

Toys for Tots West Pasco

What It Is: Marine Corps Reserve Holiday Florida Detachment #567 members and volunteers are collecting new, unwrapped toys and books geared to donate to school-aged kids in West Pasco. Last year, more than 23,000 toys were donated to kids in West Pasco and Tarpon Springs, although Tarpon Springs is not being served by this unit this year.

Where It Is: There are drop boxes throughout West Pasco County. Refer to the website for more info. Go to a drop box to unload a toy or donate money online at http://new-port-richey-fl.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/request-toys.asp

Phone:  877-T4T-0011, John Durkin, Colonel, US Marine Reserve, (Retired)

Email:  T4TWestPasco@hotmail.com

Want a Toy?: If you live in West Pasco, register with Pasco County Schools, Connections Job Development, Calvary Chapel Worship Center or Cross Point Church.Bring info about address, government ID, and social security numbers for children and family.  You can also call 2-1-1. Find more info here.  Nonprofits wishing to distribute toys from the program can fill out an online form.

Metropolitan Ministries Pasco

What It Is: A ministry that serves the homeless and needy is completing a food and toy drive for its Holidays of Hope service.

Where It Is: 3214 U.S. 19, Holiday, FL 34691

Phone: Nancy Dougherty (727) 277-8351

E-Mail: nancy.dougherty@metromin.org

How To Donate:  Go to the Holiday location through Dec 24. Closed Nov. 24 and Nov. 25.

Times: Mon - Thurs 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Fri. 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Sun. 12 p.m. -3 p.m.

Need a Donation?: You can register Nov. 28–Dec. 16, 9 a.m.-12 p.m at Metropolitan Ministries Pasco.

Distribution: Dec. 17, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Dec. 18, 1p.m.-5 p.m.; Dec. 20, 9 a.m.- 3 p.m.; Dec. 21, 9 a.m.- 3pm; Dec. 22, 9 a.m.- 3 p.m.

Salvation Army of Pasco County

What It Does: Feeds and offers social services at its Center of Hope in Port Richey. It also aids victims of domestic violence. It is now offering Christmas food boxes.

Where It Is: 7745 Ridge Road, Port Richey

Phone: 727.815.8539

How to Donate: Send donations to The Salvation Army, P. O. Box 1050 Port Richey, FL 34673 or donate online.

Need Christmas Assistance?: The Salvation Army provides a food box to adults and a food box and/or toys to families with kids. It is now accepting applications. Applicants must present ID, social security and other documents for themselves and family members receiving assistance. Call (727) 847-6321, ext. 101 for additional info.

The Sertoma Speech and Hearing Foundation of Florida

What It Does: Provides hearing assessments and hearing aid evaluations,  operates hearing aid loan bank, fixes, dispenses and fits hearing aids, makes recycled hearings aids reusable for people over 65 in certain low-income areas.

Where It Is: 4443 Rowan Road New Port Richey, Fl 34653. In addition, Sertoma operates out of All Children’s Specialty Care locations in Central and West Florida. Find a full list of locations here. 

Phone: (727) 849-8982

How To Donate: You can give online here. 

What It is:  A faith-based nonprofit based in New Port Richey that runs a food bank and pantry that serves Pasco and other counties. The Volunteer Way also operates an outreach center in Moon Lake, a brown bag program for seniors and a hydroponic garden, according to its website

Where It Is: 7820 Congress St, New Port Richey, FL 34653

Phone Number: 727-815-0433
Fax Number: 727-848-5494

Emails: CEO Lester Cypher lester@thevolunteerway.org
Assistant CEO Martha O' Brien Martha@thevolunteerway.org

How to Donate: Drop off a can or box of food at the above address or donate money online. Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The United Way of Pasco

What It Does: The United Way of Pasco is an organization that partners with 23 local non-profit agencies throughout the county to support 28 programs.

Where it Is: 8040 Washington Street, Suite 100, P.O. Box 609
Port Richey, FL.

How to Donate: See the list of organizations with which The United Way of Pasco partners and follow the links to find the contacts you need to get in touch with to donate to them directly.  Or go to the donate page and fill out an online form to donate to the the United Way’s Community Care Fund.

A.F.I.R.E. of Pasco County, Inc

What It Does: Operates a day training school for adults with developmental disabilities. They must be 22 or older.  It’s located in New Port Richey, but serves clients in West Pasco.

Where It Is: 6121 Ohio Avenue New Port Richey, FL 34653

Phone: (727) 849-8982

How To Donate: Stop by A.F.I.R.E. to donate.

Specific Needs:

Paper Towels
Toilet Paper
Napkins
Paper Plates
Plastic Forks
Plastic Spoons
Plastic Knives
Coffee Cups
Plastic Drinking Cups
Cone Cups
Decaf Coffee
Large Family Size Tea Bags
Coffee Filters
Coffee Stirrers
Lysol
Bleach
Hand Sanitizer
Lysol Wipes
Tall Kitchen Garbage Bags
Construction Paper
Glue Sticks
Scissors
Dry Erase Markers
Dry Erase Erasers