By Family Service of Rhode Island
The holiday season is a time for celebrating with family and friends, enjoying good food and special treats, and the joyous sounds of happy children exploring presents left beneath the tree. For some, it is a season of plenty. But many in our community don’t experience the incredible blessings that most of us take for granted.
For those in our most vulnerable communities, the holiday season is often associated with feelings of increased anxiety and stress. One in seven children – nearly 12 million – are living in poverty, making children the poorest age group in the nation, according to the United States Census Bureau, Income and Poverty in the United States: 2019 Report.
“Every family deserves to experience the joy of the season, no matter their financial situation,” said Margaret Holland McDuff, CEO of Family Service of Rhode Island. “This annual drive is not just about meeting material needs—it’s about fostering hope and dignity during a time that can be especially difficult for those we serve.”
Community members and local businesses are encouraged to get involved in several ways:
- Donating Items: New clothing, toys, and gift cards are especially helpful. Click here to download a flyer.
- Sponsoring a Family: Individuals or groups can adopt a family, providing customized support tailored to their unique needs. Contact us to learn more.
- Making a Monetary Donation: Contributions allow FSRI to purchase essential items for families that aren’t met through donated goods. Click here to make a monetary donation.
To donate a new, unwrapped gift – please bring it to Family Service of Rhode Island at 134 Thurbers Ave. #102 Providence, RI 02905 from now until December 20th. A list of commonly needed items is available below.
You can also find items online using our Amazon Wishlist – items purchased through the Amazon Wishlist will be shipped directly to FSRI.
- Gift Cards – https://a.co/6p6l3tQ
- Infants/Toddlers – https://a.co/gTcp4yF
- Teen List – https://a.co/9PUlqXj
Together, we can make the holidays brighter for families in need. Join us in spreading hope, joy, and generosity this season!
Link to our blog post:https://www.familyserviceri.org/give-the-gift-of-holiday-giving/
About Us: At Family Service of Rhode Island (FSRI), we succeed by lifting others. Founded in 1892, our long history of non-profit service has always been tailored to meet the unique and ever-changing needs of the diverse Rhode Island community in which we serve. We have three offices located in Providence, but our employees provide impactful services state-wide. We are engaged, committed, and passionate about our work helping others, and care deeply about our mission to advance equity, opportunity, and hope in our communities.
