Sponsor a Family in Need for the Holidays!

Are you interested in ‘sponsoring’ a family in need this holiday season? In Atlanta, DFCS reports that, this year, there are more families than ever who are in need of some of the most basic items such as food, clothing, etc. I work with DFCS each year to obtain a list of families who would like to be matched with a sponsor. For those of you who have never done this, it can be a great / meaningful experience.

Sponsoring a family is easy to do, can provide a personalized giving experience, and is a great educational/ volunteer opportunity to share with children.

You have a choice to either deliver the basket personally to your assigned family or drop it off at a DFCS warehouse and have it delivered for you.

All you need to do is:

1. Email me back ([email protected]) and tell me how many families you’d like to sponsor. Specify large or small and I’ll try my best to match you accordingly (feel free to sponsor a large family with another group / friends.)

2. I will then send you specifics about your sponsor family (number of people, ages, address/phone, and wish list – if available)

3. Call the family, let them know that you are their holiday sponsor and confirm the information you’ve been given about them. Let them know that you are planning on purchasing a few items for them. You may choose to be direct and ask what kinds of groceries or small gifts they’d most like. Or, you can simply let them know that you’ll be bringing by some surprises based on the information that you were given. Arrange a mutually convenient time to drop off your basket at the family’s home – or let me know that their basket will be delivered to them. (Regardless of what a family requests, you should buy what you’re comfortable buying.)

4. Put together a basket / box (or a big plastic tub that they can re-use is a good option) with as many food and/or gift items that you feel comfortable giving. A gift card (in any amount) to either Publix or Kroger is a good idea instead of (or in addition to) other items. Make a holiday card for the family.

5. Deliver between now and Christmas. If you want to drop it off at DFCS so they can deliver, let me know and plan on doing that by mid-December.

Note – baskets should not include second hand/used clothing or toys. (If you have women’s/children’ s clothing or supplies that you want to get rid of – I can connect you with one of several organizations nearby which are in constant need of such things.)

PLEASE send this message to friends or co-workers who also might like to participate – there are many, many families in need – so the more, the better.

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Here are some comments from some of the folks who have done this in the past:

<<I just wanted to thank you for arranging the holiday sponsoring
program this year. I dropped off the family’s stuff yesterday and it
was a very moving experience. The young girl (with two little kids)
was very sweet and appreciative and she definitely needed our help.
The only gifts under the tree were from our family and we increased
the food items in her kitchen by about 20-fold! >>

<<I wanted to let you know that I dropped off gifts for my host family
last Saturday. It was a mother and daughter and they were very nice
and appreciative. I included a $20 publix gift card so that they can
pick something out themselves. Thanks for arranging this!>>

<<We dropped our gifts and food off on Sunday and the family was very
appreciative. The overall experience was good for our family and made
us realize once again how fortunate we are. I wish we would have
done more, but not having done this before I just wasn’t sure what to
do and what to expect. I think the next time I would add other items
to the gifts, such as books for the 7 year old and probably more
food. Thank you so much for coordinating this and we will definitely
do this again.>>

<<My little 4 year old and I delivered our basket to our family this
past Saturday. The mother in turn gave us a thoughtful card and two
candy canes. She met us at her apartment and she welcomed us with
hugs. The whole experience was wonderful.>>

<<We just returned from delivering our basket. We took our two
children (5 and 2) as a Channukah ‘good deed’ activity – and it was
great. They had two little girls so the kids played while we talked
to the mother. They had a very small apartment and no gifts in
sight. Even though the mother was quiet and reserved, I could tell
she was really happy and appreciative. It’s got to be hard to be in
that situation! Thanks for arranging it and put us on the list for
next year.>>

Thank you and happy holidays!

Article contributed by Linda Brenner
[email protected]