6 Ways To Give Back In Denver This Holiday Season

This holiday season more than ever, Denver’s charity organizations need help. With Covid-19 still ravaging our community and jobless and homeless numbers increasing, more residents are turning to food banks and shelters for aid. And while the darkest days of the year are always hard for those struggling, this year these challenges have been amplified. At Frontgate Realty Group we believe in giving back to the community we serve and this year finding ways to do so is more important than ever. 

For this blog, we’ve compiled a list of 6 worthy organizations that will be happy to take your donations, whether these are in the form of your time or financial assistance. We understand not everyone will feel comfortable with traditional in-person volunteer opportunities this holiday season, and that’s okay because many non-profits are offering ways for you to give back virtually and make a difference to those in need in the Mile High City.  

Women’s Bean Project

If you’re looking for gifts this holiday season, then consider purchasing some of the handcrafted gift sets or food products from the Women’s Bean Project. The Denver based non-profit helps transform the lives of chronically unemployed women. The organization hires and teaches working skills to women who are escaping domestic violence, battling addiction, or looking for employment after incarceration among other issues. While in the 7-month-long program they receive on-the-job training and life skills to help them escape the vicious cycle of poverty. 

From coffee and tea to dog treats, snacks, soups and chilis and instant meals, there is a lot of variety when it comes to what is for sale and purchasing items from their website directly here helps make a difference. If you’d rather just make a one-time or monthly donation, you can do so here. There are also opportunities for volunteering at their facilities.  

Photo Credit: Joel Muniz, @jmuniz

Servicios De La Raza

Founded in 1972, Servicios De La Raza serves the Latinx community in the heart of Denver. The organization works with churches, schools and other agencies to provide support for the community and to help empower low and moderate income members and people of color to find their voice and achieve success. 

They provide a range of services including behavioral health, employment services and skills training and emergency services programs. This year they need help with monetary donations, which can be made here. 

Rose Andom Center

If you’re looking for a fully remote way to volunteer your time, the Rose Andom Center helps victims of domestic abuse connect with community services in a safe space and is always looking for Volunteer Navigators. Participating requires a mandatory 20 hour training session but afterwards you will serve as the first point of contact for survivors reaching out for help. For more information on the program, click here.   

The center also takes direct monetary donations, which are needed more than ever in 2020. They also have a wish list of goods they can use here, this includes gift cards to stores like Safeway, Target and CVS to assist with household goods, food, gas and pharmacy needs. 

Photo Credit: Denver Rescue Mission/Facebook

Denver Rescue Mission

The Denver Rescue Mission (DRM) has been helping residents experiencing homelessness and addiction for 128 years now through meal services, transitional programs, rehabilitation, and community outreach. This year, the DRM is in need of help with their meal service shifts. Volunteers can sign up for shifts at a number of locations across the city here. 

If you can’t volunteer in person, there are plenty of other ways to give back including financial and goods donations, stock donations, vehicle donations and via their Amazon Wish List. 

Food Bank of the Rockies

Another place to volunteer your time this holiday season is at Food Bank of the Rockies, which has seen a massive increase in need since the Covid-19 pandemic began in mid-March. According to the organization’s website, more than 30 percent of the people they are serving currently have never needed food assistance before. The Food Bank of the Rockies is currently distributing more than 2 million pounds of nutritious food weekly across Colorado and Wyoming. 

There are numerous time shifts available and the food bank is following Covid-19 protocols to help keep volunteers safe while still providing those in need of food assistance with staples. You can find out more about volunteering here. The non-profit organization is also taking food and monetary donations via this link. 

Sun Valley Kitchen & Community Center

The Sun Valley Kitchen & Community Center provides children and families in Denver’s Sun Valley neighborhood with a safe and supportive space to explore life’s possibilities. With 99.5 percent of this neighborhood’s residents living under the median income and 50 percent of the residents under the age of 18, this non-profit works to help residents with education, employment and fostering unity in their community. 

While many of its volunteer programs are on hold due to Covid-19, the organization is still looking for volunteers to assist with sigh-in, clean up and organization of its no cost grocery program on Wednesdays (1-4pm) and Saturdays (10am-1pm). They also need financial donations that can be made easily online here.