Basic Needs

Baby Clothing

Programs that pay for or provide new or secondhand clothing and layettes for infants and young children.

Children's Clothing

Programs that pay for or provide new or secondhand clothing for children and/or adolescents.

Clothing Vouchers

Programs that supply coupons that can be exchanged in designated thrift shops or nonprofit organizations for clothing.

General Clothing Provision

Programs that provide clothing for people who need it. Available items depend on what has been donated and is on hand at any given time. The collection may include but does not specialize in children's clothes, work clothes, maternity clothes and shoes.

Winter Clothing

Programs that pay for or provide new or secondhand coats, gloves, hats, scarves and other winter clothing.

Work Clothing

Programs that pay for or provide new or secondhand uniforms or other working clothes. Also included are programs such as "Dress for Success" that provide interview suits and other professional attire for low income individuals (frequently women) who need this type of wardrobe to secure and/or retain gainful employment.

Bedding/Linen

Programs that pay for or provide new or secondhand sheets, blankets, pillowcases, bedspreads, curtains, towels and other similar household essentials.

Furniture

Programs that pay for or provide new or secondhand sofas, chairs, tables, beds, dressers and other necessary home furnishings.

General Appliance Provision

Programs that provide appliances for people who need them. Available items depend on what has been donated and is on hand at any given time.

Household Goods Vouchers

Programs that supply coupons that can be exchanged in designated thrift shops or nonprofit organizations for furniture, appliances, bedding and other household items.

Kitchenware

Programs that pay for or provide new or secondhand dishes, utensils, food storage containers and other cookware.

Small Kitchen Appliances

Programs that pay for or provide new or secondhand kettles, toasters, microwave ovens, blenders, toaster ovens and other kitchen appliances.

Identification Cards

Programs that issue documentation that is designed to prove the identity of the person carrying it.

Records/Licenses/Permits Fee Payment Assistance

Programs that provide financial assistance to help people pay for records, licenses, permits and other required documents in situations where they cannot otherwise afford them.

Laundry Facilities

Public or private facilities for washing, drying and ironing clothes that are available to homeless people, travelers and other individuals who do not have access to private laundry facilities.

Laundry Products

Programs that pay for or provide liquid detergent, fabric softeners, bleaches and whiteners, stain removers and other similar laundry products for people who need them.

Laundry Vouchers

Programs that provide vouchers which enable homeless people and others who meet eligibility criteria to use washers and dryers at participating to laundry facilities.

Hair and Nail Care

Programs, often available through senior centers, neighborhood centers, homeless shelters or drop in centers, or other similar organizations, that offer the on-site services of beauticians, barbers and/or manicurists for people who need to have their hair or nails done. Services may include hair coloring treatment, permanent waves, haircuts, shaves, wash and sets, manicures and cosmetic pedicures which improve the appearance of the feet and toenails. Also included are programs that provide haircuts for homeless people, children from low-income families returning to school and other targeted individuals.

Personal/Grooming Supplies

Programs that pay for or provide soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, combs, brushes, cotton swabs, deodorant, facial tissue, toilet paper and other personal hygiene/grooming supplies for homeless people and other individuals who need them.

Public Showers/Baths

Public or private organizations that provide showers, baths or other facilities where homeless people, travelers and others who do not have access to private bathing facilities can wash. Included are permanent shower facilities as well as mobile installations that can be moved from place to place. Also included are organizations that provide vouchers that people can use to access bathing facilities.

Discounted Internet Service

Internet service providers that offer their services at below normal rates for people who meet age, disability, income, need or other requirements.

Discounted Telephone Service

Telephone companies and wireless service providers that offer their services at below normal rates for people who meet age, disability, income, need or other requirements. Telephone equipment and/or cell phones may also be provided.

Mobile Devices

Programs that pay for or provide portable computing, communications or entertainment devices for use in a variety of environments. The devices typically have a display screen with touch input or a miniature keyboard and include personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld game consoles, digital cameras, portable media players, e-book readers, cell phones, pagers and personal navigation devices (PDNs). Some devices offer a combination of functions, e.g., most PDAs have features which allow them to be used as mobile phones or portable media players; and smartphones have advanced capabilities such as Wi-Fi and e-book reader features and function more like miniature computers with phone capabilities.

Public Internet Access Sites

Programs, often offered by libraries, cyber cafes, and a variety of other government, nonprofit or proprietary organizations, that provide on-site Internet-enabled computers for public access.

Public Libraries

Libraries supported by public and/or private funds which provide general library services without charge to all residents of a given community, district or region.

Telephone Facilities

Programs that provide access to a telephone for homeless people and others who need to make a call and are unable to pay for it.

Shoes

Programs that pay for or provide new or secondhand shoes. Included are odd shoe exchanges.

Christmas Baskets

Programs, generally supported by donations from the community, that attempt to facilitate enjoyment of the Christmas season by low-income community residents through distribution of food baskets which usually contain a ham, turkey or other meat and all of the trimmings for a Christmas dinner (or vouchers to purchase these items) and occasionally gifts for children or other family members.

Christmas Festivals

Programs that sponsor special events during the Christmas season which may feature decorated trees, displays of decorated wreaths, gingerbread houses, stocking parlors, food, entertainment, holiday crafts shopping, live reindeer and appearances by Santa.

Christmas Meals

Programs that provide a hot Christmas meal in a congregate setting for low-income and homeless individuals and families who might otherwise have no opportunity to celebrate the holidays. Also included are programs that deliver Christmas meals to people's homes.

Christmas Trees

Programs that make evergreen trees available to low-income community residents during the Christmas season.

Halloween Events

Programs that sponsor special events such as parties, carnivals, haunted houses or organized trick-or-treating expeditions for children in the community and other residents during Halloween.

Holiday Adoption Programs

Programs that sponsor "Adopt-A-Family" programs during the holidays which match people who want to provide personalized holiday assistance (usually gifts, an invitation to a holiday meal or party or a food basket) with an older adult, an individual with a disability, a low-income family or others in their community who would be unable to celebrate and enjoy the holiday without the sponsor's generosity.

Holiday Donations

Organizations that sponsor programs during any of the holidays which serve as a point of contact for people in the community who wish to make a donation (food, gifts, toys, money or other material goods) that will be used for seasonable charitable purposes. Included are organizations that provide central collection points throughout the area for donated toys and gifts, mall programs that encourage people to purchase a gift on behalf of a child during the Christmas season, programs that collect food items for holiday baskets and other similar initiatives.

Holiday Gifts/Toys

Programs, generally supported by donations from the community, that provide gifts such as clothing, toys and other items to help low income individuals and families, older adults, hospital patients and others celebrate any of the annual holidays.

Thanksgiving Baskets

Programs, generally supported by donations from the community, that attempt to facilitate enjoyment of Thanksgiving by low-income community residents through distribution of food baskets which usually contain a ham, turkey or other meat and all of the trimmings for a Thanksgiving dinner (or vouchers to purchase these items).

Thanksgiving Meals

Programs that provide a hot Thanksgiving meal in a congregate setting for low-income and homeless individuals and families who might otherwise have no opportunity to celebrate the holiday. Also included are programs that deliver Thanksgiving meals to people's homes.

Animal Adoption

Programs that place stray and homeless domestic pets with people who are willing to provide for their care; find homes for wild burros, horses or other animals who are being removed from their natural environment; or place retired race horses, show horses, greyhounds and other animals when their racing or show careers have come to an end. Included are websites where animals available for adoption can be listed.

Animal Control

Programs that pick up and impound or return to their owners domestic animals who have strayed from their homes. Also included are programs that enforce leash laws and animal sanitation ordinances and those that handle complaints regarding domestic animals who have bitten someone or are otherwise making nuisances of themselves. Most animal control programs are unable to handle nuisance wildlife unless the animal is sick or shows symptoms of rabies.

Animal Euthanasia Services

Programs that humanely put to death animals who are suffering from incurable injuries or diseases or stray animals who have not been claimed by their owners or adopted.

Animal Food/Supplies Donation Programs

Programs that accept pet food, water and food dishes, leashes, crates and other pet-related supplies, and keep them for use in their own program or donate them to other nonprofit organizations for their own use or for distribution to the people they serve.

Animal Licenses

Programs that issue licenses for domestic animals who are subject to regulation. Annual licensing is required for dogs of a specified age (rabies certificates are usually required) and, frequently, for equines (horses, mules, ponies, donkeys, burros) who reside in some areas. Optional identification tags are available for cats and are usually valid for the lifetime of the animal. Licensing fees are usually reduced for neutered dogs or dogs who are certified by a veterinarian as being unable to reproduce; dog guides may receive permanent licenses for a very nominal fee. In many jurisdictions, special licenses may be required for people keeping exotic pets (e.g. tigers, wolves) that may require special conditions and/or pose a possible risk to the public if not properly secured.

Animal Poison Information

Programs that provide emergency information, often on a 24-hour basis, for veterinarians and pet owners who may need to take immediate corrective action to treat an animal who has been poisoned or to prevent such an occurrence. Also included are programs that provide information about common household poisons that can affect pets including plants, drugs, antifreeze, Teflon and chocolate.

Animal Rehoming Listing Services

Organizations that provide websites which allow pet owners to post information about animals they are no longer able to keep in hopes that they will find a good home. Individuals posting on these sites are normally not allowed to charge or are limited to a small rehoming fee. Also included are animal rescue organizations that post courtesy listings for pet owners who want to rehome their animals.

Animal Shelters

Programs that provide protection and care for unwanted pets or stray animals, and hold them for a specified period of time to provide an opportunity for owners to claim them prior to offering them for adoption. Included are shelters that euthanize the animals if not adopted within a specified amount of time, as well as "no kill" shelters that will keep the animals until they are adopted.

Foster Care/Temporary Shelter for Animals

Programs that arrange for the temporary placement in animal care facilities or private homes of homeless animals who are awaiting adoption or who are too wild and need gentling prior to being adopted; or for animals whose owners are in emergency situations which may include facing foreclosure, being homeless, being incarcerated, having an accident or a medical emergency, being in a domestic violence situation or having to leave home for a shelter.

Pet Boarding/Sitting Services

Programs that provide facilities for the temporary housing and care of pets when their owners are on vacation or otherwise unable to maintain them. Also included are programs that provide for the care of pets in the owner's own home on a visitation or temporary live-in basis.

Pet Care Information

Programs that provide general pet care guidelines for people who own or are thinking about having a pet. Included may be information about specific types of pets (e.g., dogs, cats, birds, exotic pets), choosing a pet, caring for a pet when traveling or ill, choosing a boarding kennel, choosing a pet sitter, choosing a groomer, choosing a veterinarian, general health care information, what to feed a pet and how often, spay/neuter decisions, training a pet, understanding a pet's behavior, finding a lost pet, finding a good home for a pet, introducing pets to a new baby or another pet, protecting pets from common household dangers, coping with the death of a pet and other similar topics.

Pet Care Supplies

Programs that supply collars, leashes, harnesses, brushes, toys, treats, food and water dishes, bedding, cages, crates, shampoo, pet stain remover and other items that can be used in the care of pets.

Pet Food

Programs that supply dried or canned dog or cat food, bird seed, fodder or other types of sustenance for animals and other creatures that people keep as pets. Also included are programs that provide financial assistance that enables owners to purchase food for their pets.

Pet Loss Support Groups

Mutual support groups whose members are individuals who are grieving because they have lost a pet. The groups meet in-person, by telephone or via the Internet; and focus on helping participants accept their loss, express their grief, move through the bereavement process and put their lives back together.

Well Animal Checkups

Programs that conduct routine physical examinations, administer vaccines, test for parasites, perform a dental check and conduct whatever other tests may be necessary to ensure the health and wellbeing of pets and other animals.