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We've all heard of Gift Guides - those super helpful articles on what to gift those hard-to-buy-for people. I'm so here for that. Anything to save some time, right? As I flipped (actually, swiped) through gift guides this year, I began to wonder how we could use this idea of a gift guide to benefit local charities, ministries, and non-profit organizations.
My husband and I had saved up some cash this year and set it aside just for donations and generosity when a situation presented itself. Now that it's getting into the holiday season, we've been thinking through how to use this cash we've been saving. There are so many local organizations that are in need and deserving of funds and donations, and it's hard to choose where to give!
intro
It's our hope that you can use this guide to quickly and conveniently search through local ministries, charities, and organizations and pick one (or more!) to bless with a donation this season.
Giving takes on many forms, and each organization has different needs. Some places are in desperate need of volunteers, some monetary donations, and some can even use items from your home, like bicycles and canned goods! There is truly room for every kind of generosity, and this is part of the beauty of community. Where there is a need, there are loving people willing to give of their resources.
Compiling this guide has helped us to decide where to give, and has given us vision for our generosity fund next year! No matter where you find yourself this holiday season, we pray that you will bless others with the gift of your time or resources where there is need.
the vision
Before we get into the details of the Giving Guide, here's the information you'll find inside.
Each ministry, organization, or charity listed includes the following:
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Organization Name
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Mission
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Needs
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How / where to give
If you see an organization that you would like to donate to, just follow their directions on giving or feel free to contact them directly for any questions!
the details
Of course, there are many deserving causes that are not listed here. This guide is focused on organizations local to Lima, Ohio and surrounding areas. If you have ideas for places that should be included in a newer edition of this guide, please feel free to contact me with the details listed above!
This is meant to be a directory of places to give. While we are happy to help provide information on any of these organizations, any gifts given are at your own discretion. We won't be collecting any donations on your behalf; you must donate directly to your chosen organization!
the fine print
Let's get started!
Andrew's House of Hope
ELIDA, OHIO
Andrew's House of Hope is a nonprofit program offered to women who are working to holistically recover from a substance use disorder or women in transition. Working together we break down barriers to recovery and change. We are committed to serve our clients' needs and also to provide individual quality care. We do this by providing secure and peaceful housing. Our goal is to empower women by building their self-esteem, restoring integrity, and helping them recognize self-worth.
Ultimately, we want to help women transition into healthy, independent living.
NEEDS & HOW TO GIVE
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Sport bras (all sizes)
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Women's underwear (all sizes)
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Women's socks (all sizes)
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Gift cards - fast food, Walmart, Meijer
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Monetary donations
Donations may be sent to the shipping address below, or arrange pick-up with Kelly (contact: 419-890-2482)
Andrew's House of Hope
PO Box 727
Lima, Ohio 4580
The Wheelhouse
A CHRISTIAN BICYCLE CO-OP
619 E Elm St. Lima, OH 45804
The Wheelhouse-A Christian Bicycle Cooperative, is a missional/service designed as a “build a bike” program for those in need. Upon completion, the recipient will receive the bike, a helmet and lock. Christian volunteers will use the shared project time to build relationships, share their faith and encourage clients to connect with a church.
Intended recipients of this missional service include:
1. Those in need of transportation to work, job interviews, errands etc.
2. Those who do not have a driver’s license due to court obligations but still need transportation.
3. Youth bikes that may be given to support specific programs.
NEEDS & HOW TO GIVE
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Donate used bicycles (especially adult bikes)
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Consider volunteering (accepting new volunteers when COVID subsides)
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Monetary donations may be sent to The Wheelhouse at 619 E. Elm Street 45804
Soldiers of Honor
117 S Union St Lima, OH 45804
Soldiers of Honor is a Christian faith-based operation which is called to reach a broad age group of discouraged or endangered people. At- risk children of broken homes are among the group that experience encouragement and life change in our program.
Although some agencies target at- risk children, none are using the relational connection, mental perspective, or physical discipline that boxing can bring. We are a one of a kind organization that uses boxing as a catch to draw in adolescents. Boxing philosophies and strategies are use as it relates to life in and out of the ring.
At present, the Soldiers of Honor carries out its mission by two major programs: Soldiers of Honor “Boxing Boot Camp” and Soldiers of Honor “Partnerships”.
NEEDS & HOW TO GIVE
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Consider volunteering
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Monetary donations may be sent to:
Soldiers of Honor
117 S Union St
Lima, OH 45804
Lima's Samaritan House
328 W McKibben St Lima, OH 45801
Lima’s Samaritan House is a thirty-eight room emergency shelter with seventeen bedrooms and seven bathrooms. Since 1987, the program has been providing food, shelter, and essential services to over 250 unduplicated homeless, and/or abused women and their children per year.
Women and children are referred to Lima’s Samaritan House by self-referral, churches, and other public and private social service agencies.
Clients eligible for services must have no permanent residence, be able to provide care for themselves and their children, and not pose a safety risk to themselves or others.
Lima’s Samaritan House can accommodate up to seventeen households at a time and up to thirty-eight individuals depending on the size of the households being served.
NEEDS & HOW TO GIVE
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Accepting monetary and in-kind donations both online and in-person.
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Visit their website for detailed lists of needs:
Our Daily Bread
125 S Central Ave Lima, OH 45801
Everyone is welcome here at Our Daily Bread Soup Kitchen, and everyone who enters is a friend. We are a humble, faith based soup kitchen and ministry, providing a hot meal for the stomach and a helping of God’s word for the soul. We also have a clothing room stocked with donated clothes and we have hygiene products that are available on request; on occasion we put together bags and pass them out to all our friends. Everything is free, provided thru the heartfelt generosity of individuals, churches, businesses and organizations in our community. All donations are accepted and are tax deductible since we are a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization. We are not government funded.
NEEDS & HOW TO GIVE
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Accepting new volunteers - visit the link for more details: https://odbread.org/volunteers/
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Now accepting monetary donations online and via mail.
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Accepting food and other items in-person and via Amazon wish list.
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For detailed donation information, visit Our Daily Bread website: https://odbread.org/needs/
Cornerstone of Hope Lima
2963 Blue Jacket Court | Lima, Ohio 45806
Cornerstone of Hope LIMA is a private, Christian-based, non-profit organization that is dedicated to providing professional support, education, and hope for children, teens and adults.
Cornerstone of Hope provides counseling services, support groups, workshops, and professional trainings.
Our Vision:
Provide a peaceful and accessible place where individuals of all ages can receive hope and healing.
Aspire to be known as the premier place to contact when seeking professional support.
Educate and collaborate with local communities, corporations, schools, and related professionals to enhance their services.
NEEDS & HOW TO GIVE
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Now Accepting monetary donations online or via mail.
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Cornerstone of Hope Lima, 2963 Blue Jacket Court, Lima OH 45806
Heartbeat of Lima
Main Office - 3225 W. Elm St, Lima, OH 45805
Satellite Office - 226 S. Elizabeth St, Lima, OH 45801
Heartbeat of Lima was established in 1973. Our mission is to create an atmosphere where every human heart feels cherished and protected. We do this by offering hope, education and resources to families who are experiencing a pregnancy or parenting a young child up to the age of three. Resources include free and confidential pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, pregnancy options counseling, parenting classes, material aid, adoption information, and a post-abortion support group.
NEEDS & HOW TO GIVE
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Donate online here: https://give.cornerstone.cc/heartbeatoflima
Lima Rescue Mission
216 E Wayne St, Lima, OH 45801
Since 1906, Lima Rescue Mission has been sharing God's love with people in need through Christ-centered programs and services. Our primary focus is reaching out to poor and homeless men by providing physical and spiritual care in a time of crisis. The Mission also ministers to at-risk youth through a summer day camp at our campgrounds, Camp Roberts.
We are an evangelical, non-denominational organization.
The purpose of Lima Rescue Mission is to glorify God by sharing His love with people in need through Christ-centered programs and services.
To see the lives of everyone we serve transformed, helping them to become independent and productive members of society by providing for their spiritual, physical and emotional needs.
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We believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ transforms lives.
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We believe that homelessness may be a symptom of deeper spiritual issues.
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We will provide a safe and secure environment which promotes healing and recovery.
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We will be financially responsible with the resources entrusted to us.
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We will continually evaluate and improve programs and services, operational procedures and overall effectiveness.
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We will keep Christ at the center of all that we do.
NEEDS & HOW TO GIVE
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Accepting monetary donations online here: https://give.limamission.org/general
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Now accepting new volunteers and needed items. More details here: https://www.limamission.org/how-to-help
Meals 'Til Monday
PO Box 3072 Elida, OH 45807
Meals ‘til Monday is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides kid-friendly weekend meals for local elementary children whose primary source of food is the school cafeteria.
Staffed by volunteers and funded by donations, Meals 'til Monday packs sacks of food on Mondays to be delivered and distributed to students on Fridays.
Meals ‘til Monday seeks to raise awareness of the issue of hunger among our neighbors, as well as provide opportunities to love those same neighbors by tangibly meeting this need. It is our goal that students distracted, discouraged, and disadvantaged by hunger would gain focus, encouragement, and confidence by having this basic need met.
Loving by action and helping meet needs is not our idea. As followers of Jesus Christ, it is who we are. We desire to be genuine by living lives in which our words and actions reflect the love of Jesus Christ. We love because He loves us. We know how to love because He shows us.
NEEDS & HOW TO GIVE
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Now Accepting monetary and tangible donations, online and via mail
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More details here: http://www.mealstilmonday.org/home/donate