Gifts to struggling families have a value far beyond monetary worth

Jewish Family & Children’s Service (JF&CS) is asking community members to help bring the light of Hanukkah and the spirit of the holiday season to individuals and families struggling to put food on their tables, to refugees who arrive in Pittsburgh with only the clothing they are wearing and to the children and families who work with Family Hope Connection, the adoption division of JF&CS.

• As the holidays approach, the Squirrel Hill Community Food Pantry (SHCFP) is in need of special items including sauerkraut and also cooking oil for cooking and lighting menorahs. To donate any of the requested items, to donate other items such as toys or gifts for children at SHCFP or to hold a holiday food drive to benefit the Pantry, contact Kathy Poth, SHCFP Coordinator at 412-421-2708 or by email at kpoth@sqfoodpantry.org.
  

• Many refugee families are arriving to Pittsburgh from warmer climates, and have never experienced winter in Pittsburgh. Outerwear, winter coats, hats, scarves, gloves, sweaters and blankets are greatly needed items in helping the community’s newest arrivals acclimate to the cold winter weather. Clothing items of various sizes in good condition are welcome. The refugee department also seeks specific small household items to help refugees feel at home in their new apartments, such as pots, pans, glasses and utensils. To donate to JF&CS’s refugee department or for a list of most-needed items for refugee families, contact Catrina Doxsee at 412-904-5970 or by email at cdoxsee@jfcspgh.org.

• At Family Hope Connection, where staff works with children in foster care and those who are awaiting permanent placement, playhouses are often used as therapeutic tools to help children understand and discuss feelings related to their family dynamics. Toy items appropriate for playhouses, such as small figurines depicting various family members, would be greatly appreciated. FHC would also benefit from items such as small children’s toys and stuffed animals to be given to children to help ease household transitions. Additionally, giftcards to stores such as Target or Barnes & Noble are much appreciated and allow staff to purchase books depicting various interpretations of family life and other needed items to help children with their transitions, such as suitcases or personal items. To donate or learn more about supporting the work of FHC, contact JoAnn White, director, at 412-422-8567 or jwhite@fhcadopt.org.

JF&Cs is grateful for the many gifts of volunteer time, money and donated items that enable us to provide services to the community, especially during the holidays.