Holy Family Shelter: How You Can Help
While many people want to help by donating used clothes and household items, the single most effective way to assist the homeless families living at Holy Family Shelter is to financially support our work. The cost associated with serving more than 300 families annually continues to escalate, and financial assistance is vital to these families obtaining permanent housing and self-sufficiency.
Please consider a financial donation irregardless of the amount in order for us to continue this important work. Contributions can be mailed directly to the shelter. Please make your donation payable to: Holy Family Shelter, 907 N. Holmes, Indianapolis, IN 46222. All contributions are tax deductible as allowed by law.
Click here to read three great examples of help that really helped.
For information on volunteering and specific wish list needs please contact our volunteer coordinator, Amber Hiss, at (317) 635-7830, ext. 19.
The following are items that are needed and used EVERYDAY at Holy Family Shelter:
| Healthy Breakfast Cereal |
Large (#10 Size) Canned Food |
Disposable Diapers (all sizes, especially large – Size 5) |
| Baby Wipes and Infant Formula |
New Underwear and Socks (children and adult) |
Toilet Paper |
| Dishwashing Detergent |
Styrofoam Bowls, Plates, and Cups |
Plastic Forks, Spoons, and Knives |
| Paper Napkins and Paper Towels |
Towels, Blankets, and Twin Size Sheets (new and slightly used) |
Trash Bags (Heavy Duty 55- and 33-gallon) |
| School Supplies (book bags, pens and pencils) |
Photocopy Paper |
Toiletries (tooth brushes, deodorant, feminine hygiene, etc.) |
| Cleaning supplies for floors, windows, and bathrooms |
Latex Gloves |
Telephone Calling Cards |
WHAT WE CANNOT ACCEPT:
Household Items and Appliances: The families living at Holy Family Shelter do not need of household items and appliances until they move out of the shelter. We have a partnership with the St. Vincent de Paul Society who helps our families with these items. Please donate household items (pots, pans, lamps, beds, etc.) and appliances to St. Vincent de Paul by calling them at their donation information number at (317) 687-1006.
Out-of-Season Clothing: While we deeply appreciate the generosity, we are frequently given used clothing and toys. So much so that we often have more than we need and have to sort it, bag it, and get it to another needy organization. This requires an enormous amount of time and expense that takes us away from working directly with the homeless families in residence at the shelter. If you are interested in donating used clothing and/or toys, please call the shelter first at 635-7830 to see if we need it. We encourage you to support Goodwill Industries with your donations of used clothing and toys that we are unable to accept. Our families in Holy Family Shelter are able to participate in Goodwill’s programs because of these donations.
