They are not looking for designer ties or picture-in-picture television sets at the Salvation Army, Amos House or John Hope Settlement House in Providence. The folks who run the soup kitchens and social agencies throughout Rhode Island ask for simpler things — clothing, food and toys for the children.
And money. Frankly, they can always use money.
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A check for $10 can go a long way in the hands of people who know how to get the most out of it. People like Deborah Brayton, director of Amos House, a soup kitchen at 415 Friendship Street in South Providence.
“We squeeze a quarter’s worth of purchases out of every nickel,” Brayton said.
Fortunately, this is a time of year when businesses throughout Southern New England shine. They remember the work being done by people like Brayton and others who dedicate their lives to helping others.
Susan Bliss, who coordinates the Children’s Friend and Service’s “Spirit of Giving” campaign, can attest to that. Each year, Children’s Friend and Service, a non-profit United Way-sponsored agency in Providence, sends mailings to the hundreds of individuals and businesses that in the past have adopted families and donated Christmas gifts.
“I was getting phone calls even before the letters went out,” Bliss said. The calls come from businesses, and individuals. Senior citizens, and young people. Bliss expects that the organization will provide gifts for 300 families this holiday season.
“A lot of people repeat year after year,” she said. “Some people are older. They seem to like buying for children. Other people want to show their children the spirit of giving. Companies make it a collaborative effort.”
Dorothy Stamper has certainly found generosity in abundance in Newport, where she works as director of social services at New Visions. New Visions sponsors its own “Adopt-a-Family” program that has been a huge success.
“Last year, it was incredible what people did,” she said.
You don’t have to look far to find area businesses pitching in to help those in need. Citizens Bank, for example, was wrapping up a campaign last week to collect 50,000 pounds of clothing to benefit Goodwill Industries of Rhode Island. BankBoston, MetLife offices have been busy collecting food, while dozens of other businesses, including East Side Mario’s, Stop & Shop, and WJAR Channel 10 all have programs of their own designed to lend help to others.
At Charley’s Eating and Drinking Saloon at the Emerald Square Mall in North Attleboro, this week’s annual Thanksgiving dinner is expected to seat some 700 people.
For most companies, giving to others fosters friendships and boosts morale. That has been the case at Sullivan & Co., a Providence-based accounting firm with 44 employees. Sheila McDonald, a spokeswoman for Sullivan & Co., said the firm established “Team Sullivan,” an employee-driven community service program, several years ago. As part of the program, Sullivan & Co. employees have participated in walk-a-thons to raise money in the fight against breast cancer and protect the environment, as well as taken part in several drives to benefit the Providence Journal Company’s Summertime Fund and Santa Fund. For the upcoming holiday season, Sullivan & Co. employees hope to collect 500 pounds of canned goods for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.
“It’s been contagious,” said McDonald. “People have really gotten the spirit. It’s been a great way for people to develop friendships within the firm.”
Major Charles Deitrick, state coordinator for Rhode Island’s branch of the Salvation Army, calls the holiday season a “critical time” for social agencies.
“We have a lot of visibility at this time of year,” he said. It’s an important time, he said, for social agencies to make connections with people — connections that ideally, could last a lifetime.
“There are a number of businesses that go out of their way to make a difference — and we applaud them,” said Deitrick. “But there are also a number of businesses that could get involved.”
It’s a point that Deitrick must make whenever he can. For social agencies throughout southern New England, the next several weeks mark a “window of opportunity.” At Amos House, where an average of 700 people are fed each day, Brayton and her staff of volunteers are looking for frozen turkeys and hams, potatoes, stuffing, gravy, canned vegetables, tomato sauce, sugar and coffee for Christmas dinner.
As for gifts, those who visit Amos House are often in need of nightgowns, shirts, socks, hats, gloves, mittens and scarves. Personal hygiene items are also desperately needed. Toothpaste, shampoo and soap. Diapers, sanitary napkins and toilet paper. “Think pretty basic,” Brayton said. “That’s what we need.”
