The season of giving is underway, and this year may be more difficult than ever for social service agencies to spread awareness and foster participation. Complicated by the pandemic, many traditional food, clothes and toy drives have had to adapt the way they operate, but they are still on — and they still need help. Here are what some community organizations are doing to make things better in Bristol.

East Bay Food Pantry

“Demand is way up this year, even more so with the holidays,” said Karen Griffith, executive director of the East Bay Food Pantry. Efforts to reduce congestion at the pantry and thrift shop have involved reduced thrift shop hours and alternating food and thrift shop days, and that had really impacted thrift shop revenue. In addition, the food pantry had to cancel its annual fundraiser, which has typically provided 10 percent of their operating expenses.

Sourcing food has become more challenging as well. “We rely heavily on our relationship with the Rhode Island Food Bank, but they are supplying food banks throughout the state, and everyone’s struggling,” said Ms. Griffith.

The Food Pantry can best utilize cash donations. “We can get better deals — some people prefer to donate food and we are very grateful for that — but cash donations typically provide a bigger return on the dollar, as we can then purchase food at special prices, as well as perishables that cannot be donated through food drives.”

To donate, visit their website at eastbayfoodpantry.org or send a check; thrift shop donations of soft items like clothes and linens can be left in the bin outside the food pantry at 532 Wood St. on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; breakables and housewares can be donated by appointment.

Food donations of a few bags or less can be donated any time the food bank is open, while they request appointments to donate larger amounts of more than a few bags, or the collection from a food drive. To schedule an appointment, call 401/396-9490.

Foster a Senior

“We’re doing things a little differently this year, limiting donations to gift cards in an effort to minimize contact in both the donation and distribution process,” said Donna Wilson, assistant director of the Bristol Senior Center and coordinator of their annual Foster a Senior program. Gift cards to local grocery stores and pharmacies, in any amount, are most welcome, or a monetary donation that staff will then use to purchase gift cards.

The program delivered gifts to some 280 local seniors last year, and they hope to do the same again this year. To minimize contacts, all gifts will be delivered by the familiar faces of Ms. Wilson and Director Maria Ursini. Donations are gratefully received via mail, or may be left at the Senior Center office at 1020 Hope St. If the office is not open, there’ is a mail slot in the door.

Ms. Ursini and Ms. Wilson plan to deliver the gifts the third week in December, but donations are welcome any time. “Even if we receive a donation on the 23rd, we’ll make sure that one of our seniors gets it in time for Christmas,” said Ms. Wilson. “We want them to know that we are here for them,” said Ms. Ursini.

Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary

“We help fire victims, and families going through tragedies all year round, but at Christmas we help over 100 families. So we can use any help we can get. Especially this year where times are tough for everyone,” said Jennifer Mancieri of The Ladies Auxiliary of the Bristol Fire Department.

Their yearly Kickoff to Christmas Community Aid Drive looked a lot different this year — usually they coordinate a huge toy drive, but this year they have been collecting gift cards to help families in need in the Bristol/ Warren community. Gift cards may be purchased from local businesses, restaurants, or retailers like  Walmart, Target, or CVS. They can be dropped off at Bristol Fire Department headquarters during business hours, or contact Ms. Mancieri directly at 401/580-2386.

Thanks to The Bristol Knights of Columbus, who donated 84 new children’s coats, the Ladies Auxiliary  will also be distributing coats to Bristol/Warren children in need on Sunday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Hydraulion Fire Station at the corner or Annawamscutt Drive and Metacom Avenue. Families must wear a mask and drive up to the volunteers and remain in their vehicles.  

“We are so grateful for the generosity of our community,” said Ms. Mancieri.

Bristol Rotary Virtual Food Drive

“We are limited this year; what we would normally do would have been to hold a big food drive,” said Bristol Rotary President Paul LaFleur. Instead, they’ve been working their network, reaching out to past donors, individuates and companies that have given to them in the past. To date, they have raised nearly $10,000, which they are distributing to the East Bay Food Pantry as well as the Friends of St. Elizabeth food bank.

To contribute, checks are welcome, made out to Bristol Rotary Charitable Foundation and mailed to P.O. Box 469, Bristol. To make an online donation, visit their website at Bristolrotaryclub.com/vfd.

“There is certainly a lot of need,” said Mr. LaFleur, “and it’s getting bigger all the time.”

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

“We have asked our parishioners to purchase Walmart cards or Stop and Shop cards,” said Father Henry Zinno of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church. “The group we work with asked for these gift cards for needy families rather than what we usually do in purchasing all kinds of clothes and toys.”

The gift cards will be distributed to families in need in the OLMC parish as well as St Patrick’s and St Michael’s parishes in Providence. Interested donors can bring cards to the church offices at 141 State St.

Bristol Police ‘Fill a Cruiser’

The Bristol Police Department is holding its second annual “Fill a Cruiser” toy drive on Saturday, Dec. 12, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. They will be collecting unwrapped, new toys, coats, hats, and gloves for youths aged 17 and under. Drop off will be drive through in the visitors lot, covid-compliant and contactless. Anyone who wants to participate but cannot make Saturday’s date is welcome to lead donations at the station before the 12th.

First Congregational Church

Unable to host their annual, in-person giving event, First Congregational Church is requesting that donations be made either by mail or online, to the following nine charitable organizations: The Tomorrow Fund for Children with Cancer, The Bristol Animal Shelter, The East Bay Food Pantry, Heifer International, The Matthew Patton Foundation, S.H.A.R.E, Bags of Hope, R.E.S.T., and the Community String Project.

Information about the missions and work of these organizations and the means by which to make donations are posted on the church’s website: fccbristol.org. For further information, contact the church office at 401/253-7288.

Editor’s note: If you know of other local opportunities to support organizations that raise money or supplies for populations in need that are not mentioned here, please email cnadalin@eastbaymediagroup.com.