As it gets darker and colder, it feels important to reach out to our struggling neighbors and help with basic needs like food and clothing. Our community also shares joy by making sure that kids get new toys and pets get treats. Together the people of Woodbury can make a difference to folks in need and to the givers as well. Here are opportunities to give back during this holiday season:

Food

Open Cupboard, Basic Needs, Friends in Need, and Valley Outreach food shelves are stretched to their limits trying to feed our food insecure neighbors. Your on-line contributions allow them to buy fresh and staple foods and your donations of non-perishable food provides support to our community.

Food Drive Woodbury Community Church 2975 Pioneer Drive, through November 23, They’ve turned their Little Free Library into a pantry. Collecting non-perishables and toilet paper just inside the church door. Anything unclaimed by Thanksgiving will be taken to Basic Needs.

City of Woodbury Community Food Drive through December 5. Donate at City Hall and M Health Fairview Sports Center. Special requests include pasta, proteins, paper goods, and paper bags.

Woodbury Community Foundation Winter Clothing Drive together with SoWashCo Cares benefits students in District 833. Until December 20 collection boxes will be available at 30+ sites in Woodbury. Seeking new and gently used items especially snow pants, waterproof gloves, and boots for elementary school kids and winter coats and waterproof gloves for older students.

Gatherings

K9s Holiday Gift Drive Sunday, November 30, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., parking lot across from Public Safety Building, 2150 Radio Drive. Join the Public Safety dogs, Santa and Mrs Claus as they collect unwrapped toys, holiday gifts and gift cards for families in crisis. If you can’t meet the dogs on the 30th, the Public Safety staff will happily accept your donations from Nov. 17 through Dec. 5 and make sure they are delivered to Tubman Alliance.

Face to Face Holiday Meals Friday November 21 and Friday December 19, noon, Drop off specific prepared menu items for homeless youth so they can enjoy festive meals together at Safe Zone, 130 E 7th Street, St Paul.

Photos with Santa and Mrs Claus  Sunday, December 7, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Pet Evolution, 429, Commerce Drive, Bring your pets and even your people to benefit Woodbury Police K9 Fund. Register in advance and skip the waiting line. $20 donation

CPKC Holiday Train Benefits Friends in Need Food Shelf serving South Washington County residents Saturday December 13, 5:15 p.m. 7064 W Point Douglas Rd S, Cottage Grove, Lighted train and music roll into towns benefitting local food shelves. Please bring monetary donations or non-perishable items for folks served by Friends in Need.

Toy Shop Distribution Help metro area parents choose toys for their children. Shifts are 4 hours long on  December 18-20 and 22-23 at the Salvation Army warehouse in New Brighton.

Sparklerama Party Minnesota Children’s Museum needs volunteers over age 14 on December 30 for a kid-friendly New Years Eve Party.

Gifts

Pet Evolution Is collecting pet food, treats, toys, and supplies at their store at 429 Commerce Drive until the end of November. Donated items will be given to local food shelves so that struggling households will be able to keep their pets fed. Shoppers who donate to the collection will receive a 10% discount on any purchases made.

A Place of Hope-MN Toy Drive for kids in Washington County. Collect new toys and stocking stuffers for kids 0-18 through December 11 

Toys for Tots  American Legion Woodbury Post 501 and Talamore Senior Living of Woodbury are joining forces to collect new, unwrapped toys for disadvantaged children in the metro area.

There are two collection sites Talamore Senior Living and Valley Creek Mall, near Keys Cafe. Toys will be accepted until December 12.

Bridge to Basics provides essential hygiene items to non-profits serving folks in need. With rising food costs and the SNAP “pause” it is even harder to afford basics like toilet paper and deodorant. By dropping off full sized hygiene necessities in the barrel at the Woodbury YMCA you can support the health and dignity of our neighbors. Make your donation even sweeter with holiday-scented hand soap or candy cane Chapstick.

Fostering Love Project Wish Lists for Washington County kids in foster care. Sign up to give one or more gifts.

Holiday Hope provides toys and other gifts to families in the Stillwater school district experiencing challenges. Toy donations, online funding and volunteer support needed.

My Very Own Bed believes that children should be”nestled all snug in their beds,” but sadly too many Twin Cities kids are sleeping on the floor. You can help sweeten their dreams by making fleece tied blankets, funding a bed, donating new sheets and stuffed animals, or volunteering to help assemble and deliver beds.

NAMI Holiday Gift Drive annual holiday gift drive for children and adults with mental illnesses who will be hospitalized or in residential treatment over the holiday season. Drop off at their St Paul office or send from registry by December 18. Drivers needed on December 20 to deliver gifts. 

Homeless youth served by Lutheran Social Service could use a little joy this holiday season. Your gifts from their wish lists dropped off in St Paul can really help.

Hats & Mittens has 44,000+ folks with cold hands and heads waiting for your new and gently used hats and mittens. You can make them, buy them, or find them in your closets. There is even a Woodbury drop-off site.

Gifts for Seniors fills the wish lists of thousands of elderly folks in the metro area. You can order from on-line registries or leave a gift in the blue barrel at the Woodbury YMCA because the holidays aren’t just for children.

The Potato Head Project supports families with babies less than 2 pounds in the NICU.While anytime in intensive care with a micropreemie is tough, the holidays are extra stressful. Gift boxes containing new Potato Head toys bring cheer and a way to measure babies’growth. Send Mr. or Mrs. (or both) to 7700 188th Ln NW Nowthen, MN 55303 for a bit of potato encouragement for tiny babies and their families.

Operation Comfort Make fleece tie blankets or donate new blankets to patients at Gillette Children’s Hospital. Arrange drop-off by December 12.

Candle of Hope Salon Ultimo’s annual event supports a community member in need of extra support through candle sales and donations. This year they are shining a light on 2 ½ year old Hazel who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and faces several years of treatment.