Come together as a family to make someone else's holiday shine.
Come together as a family to make someone else's holiday shine.
Monday, Dec. 2, 2013
By Kari Walker
It's the season when we focus a bit more on giving - maybe it's the sense of how fortunate we are compared to others. No matter the reason you give, take the time to choose a cause closest to your family. This time of year parents no doubt hear "I want this, or "I need that" and are suddenly up to their eyeballs in sales flyers and gift receipts. INDfamily selected a variety of area causes and agencies in need - we hope your family will find joy in this season of giving and continue the act year-round.
FAITH HOUSE OF ACADIANA
232-8954
www.faithhouseacadiana.com
Faith House of Acadiana, a 45-bed shelter and transitional housing facility, helps survivors of domestic violence and their children. The goal is to provide safe housing, food, clothing, health screening and support, medications and other physical needs to shelter residents. Residents may not be able to give their children much during the holiday season, and Faith House helps fill this void through its Adopt a Family program. Anyone interested should contact Sara Dore at [email protected] to receive a wish list from a family in need - make a child's day through simple gifts like coloring books and crayons or show love to a mother in the form a warm pair of slippers and new pajamas.
FOODNET: THE GREATER ACADIANA FOODBANK
232-3663
www.foodnetacadiana.org
FoodNet provides for hungry families in Lafayette Parish through community donations that fill the shelves of the food bank. Non-perishable items can be donated at the 217 Surrey St. location or at any FoodNet donation bins around town. Dried and canned goods like beans, rice, and canned vegetables are some of the items needed at the bank. FoodNet also collects baby diapers, and infant bath supplies are needed. Help give a family the means to prepare a holiday meal by visiting the FoodNet website for a complete listing of needed items. The organization welcomes anyone interested in serving time to help fill food baskets for recipients.
LAFAYETTE ANIMAL AID
896-1553
www.lafayetteanimalaid.com
Lafayette Animal Aid is a cat and dog rescue and adoption organization caring for more than 100 dogs and 120 cats at its shelter and others in foster families in the community. The organization relies on volunteers and monetary and supply donations for pets awaiting adoption. Give back to man's best friend by contacting Animal Aid - ideas for giving include towels, dog biscuits, cat treats, household cleaners, trash bags and dog and cat food. Animal Aid also runs a pet food bank to assist low-income families. Visit the website for more details and call to arrange supply donation.
ST. JOSEPH DINER
235-4972
www.catholicservice.org
This full-service soup kitchen feeds hot meals 365 days a year to the men who live in the St. Joseph Shelter for Men and the St. Michael Center for Veterans, as well as daily lunch to anyone in need. It takes a small army of volunteers and giving souls to keep this kitchen running - consider signing up as a family to help feed the needy by volunteering to prep, cook, serve or clean up during a meal. Email Leigh Rachal for additional information at [email protected] or visit the Lafayette Cathloic Service Centers website.
THE SALVATION ARMY ANGEL TREE
235-2407
The Angel Tree program's goal is to give every child and every senior citizen Christmas, and the season of giving begins with you. Angel Trees can be found at the Acadiana Mall or area Wal-Mart locations. Groups or organizations wishing to adopt multiple angels should contact Melissa Pillsbury. The Salvation Army provides information on Angel Tree participants, including their interests, name, age and clothing size to help with gift selections.