Area organizations continue to need donations to help provide for the needs of our community members — at the Salvation Army, the need for diapers and formula remains a pressing concern.
“We are in need of all sizes of diapers and baby wipes,” said Stacy Skaggs, assistant at the Salvation Army. “We have adult diapers, but none for babies.”
Skaggs said she understands how expensive items like diapers, wipes and formula can be. For parents who don’t have the budget worked out yet, running short is a scary possibility. Meanwhile, reaching out to places like the Women, Infant and Children (WIC) office for help means being added to a waiting list. When you run out of supplies for the baby in the home, the need is pressing and a waiting list is not going to help.
The Salvation Army plans to have an indoor yard sale when the weather improves to bring in some money to help purchase some of the items that people request often and are currently at a shortage for the organization. In the meantime, community members who wish to donate are more than welcome to do so.
Skaggs discussed the goals and aim of the Salvation Army. Contrary to a popular understanding, the Salvation Army does not have a target age or group that it helps.
“We help anyone from birth to the elderly,” she said. “We help everyone, regardless of age, race or color.”
Items that are most pressing at the moment are the diapers and wipes, formula and non-perishable food items. However, the Salvation Army accepts and stores other items that may be helpful to those in need.
Clothing items: Winter and spring coats in new or like-new condition, hats, gloves, men’s pants and shirts, women’s pants and shirts, baby and children’s clothing and shoes of any size.
For the kitchen: Small kitchen appliances, dishes, pots and pans.
Donations can be dropped off to the Salvation Army between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday-Thursday. Tax write-off receipts are available if desired.
The Salvation Army offers church services on Sunday as well. Prayer meeting begins at 9:30 a.m., Sunday school begins at 10 a.m. and the Holiness Meeting begins at 11 a.m.
Anyone with questions regarding donations can call 368-7012.
Meanwhile, both the Red Cross and YWCA are also organizations that help those in need. Below are information about donating to these organizations and providing help to those who need it.
American Red Cross
Northwestern PA Chapter
The McKean-Potter community is served by the American Red Cross in the event of disasters. Shelter, clothing, food and other immediate needs are handled by the organization. Families or individuals who are affected by floods, fires or other emergencies can receive this assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The best way to assist the Red Cross is with financial donations. These can be made by check, sent to:
American Red Cross of Northwestern PA
125 Main St. Suite 505
Bradford, PA 16701
Donations via credit card can be made by calling 814-833-0942 and pressing Zero.
The Bradford YWCA
The YWCA offers Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services. However, they also offer a food pantry, housing and employment services, a Mental Health Intellectual Disabilities Program and Racial Justice. The agency accepts old cell phones, phone cards to be used by program participants, postage stamps and gift cards to the following: Sheetz (gas cards); Pizza Shops; Grocery Stores and Wal-Mart.
Meanwhile, the agency also accepts donations, broken down into categories.
Household: bath, kitchen and hand towels, washcloths, dishcloths, blankets, sheets/pillowcases, umbrellas, trash bags (13-, 30- or 45-gallon), laundry soap, dryer sheets, disposable rubber gloves, dishwasher detergent, light bulbs, storage bags.
Cleaning supplies: Lysol spray and wipes, Clorox spray and wipes, bleach, Murphy’s Oil Soap, Pinesol, Brillo Pads, Magic Erasers, furniture polish.
Children’s needs: Blankets, disposable diapers, baby wipes, baby powder, baby monitors, toys, games.
Food: tea bags, coffee, hot chocolate, sugar/sugar substitutes, powdered creamer, juice boxes, nonperishable foods, crackers, cereal, peanut butter, condiments, salt/pepper/spices.
Paper products: paper towels, toilet paper (septic safe), napkins, tissues, paper/plastic cups, paper/plastic plates.
Personal hygiene: hair brushes/accessories, shampoo/conditioner, feminine hygiene products, razors, shaving cream, deodorant, body lotions, bar soap, body wash.
Drugstore needs: children/adult Tylenol, adult cold medicine, child cold medicine, ibuprofen, Benadryl, first-aid cream, adhesive bandages, thermometers, hand sanitizer.
For questions about a donation to the YWCA, call 368-4235.
