Tis the season of giving … and gratitude!

As the holiday approach, it's the perfect time to focus on being thankful for what we have, and also looking for ways that we can give in our community. The holidays this year are going to look and feel a little different, especially for the people who are in the greatest need. When neighbors are in need, those who are able are called upon to help.

Below is a list of just some of the many ways in which you can help your neighbors this holiday season:

Monetary Donations

Shop With a Cop

Shop with a Cop provides a holiday shopping experience like no other. With the money raised through donations, each child will be able to purchase gifts for their family, bringing back some joy in 2020. All donations go to The Middletown Community Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3).

You can use the Venmo code found HERE, or send a check to Middletown Police Department c/o Officer Missy Robison, 5 Municipal Way, Langhorne, PA 19047. Make check payable to The Middletown Community Foundation with “SWAC” in the memo.

Coalition to Shelter and Support the Homeless

The coalition collaborates with organizations all over the county to make sure people’s bathroom, shower, and food needs are met.

Donate online at co2ssh.org or send checks to CSSH, 196 W. Ashland St., Doylestown, PA 18901.

YMCA of Bucks County

Donations to the YMCA provide assistance to more than 90 members and furloughed staff for expenses, especially for those with no additional income support. Donations also serve families in childcare for essential and medical personnel and families as well as those in the Pre-K Counts program. In addition, funds are used to host Blood Drives and to provide showers for homeless members of the community.

Donate online at ymcabucks.org.

Autism Cares Foundation

The foundation raises funds to provide improved life experiences for those of all ages with special needs. They provide events and activities throughout the year including music, arts and crafts, bowling, bounce, movie theater trips, fitness programs, and more.

Donations can be sent to: Autism Cares Foundation, PO Box 180, Richboro, PA 18954 or donate via PayPal at Autismcaresfoundation.org.

Harley’s Haven Dog Rescue

The non-profit organization fosters all dog breeds. Their goal is to rescue dogs from kill shelters and unwanted situations in the greater Philadelphia area. Donations are tax deductible and can be made at harleyshavendogrescue.com/donate.

Food Donations

Bucks County Opportunity Council

The Bucks County Opportunity Council is the county’s lead food agency for families in need. The organization gleans food from local grocery stores and nearby farms. They meet the food and nutrition needs of families with 60 food pantries around the county.

Visit bcoc.org to donate.

Philabundance

More than 700,000 people in the Philadelphia area face hunger, and that number has been rising since the pandemic began. Philabundance has been working since 1984 to provide people with nutritious food and to end hunger for good. Food and other services the organization provides help community members break the cycle of poverty. Last year, donors helped Philabundance donate 26 million pounds of food.

Make a donation at philabundance.org.

Toy Donations

Toys for Tots

Toys for Tots has been collecting toys for children since 1947.

Options to donate include monetary donations at www.toysfortots.org/ or placing unwrapped toys in collection boxes throughout the area.

Kisses for Kyle

Kisses for Kyle was founded in 2001 to honor the founder’s son’s memory and to help families in the Delaware Valley region who are battling childhood cancer. Donations provide gifts for children fighting cancer and for their siblings. The organization accepts gifts for the holidays between now and November 23.

To find out more about how you can donate, visit kissesforkyle.org/donations.