This page contains the following solutions.
Catholic Charities Indianapolis has a Christmas Store that offers gift assistance for needy families.
The Food Bank of Northern Indiana, serving several counties in the northern part of the state, may be able to provide assistance with holiday meals.
The Columbus Firemen's Cheer Fund, provides "cheer boxes" to needy and underprivileged children in the area. Each box contains new toys, a book, used toys and miscellaneous stocking stuffers. They also distribute food baskets with provisions for a holiday meal to the needy and elderly in Bartholomew County.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I am a local business owner and have a small amount (under 10k) to give to charity, within the next few weeks. I am newly located here in Knox, Indiana and would like to help in the community. You should know that I will need to know administrative costs for any charities that are contributed to as well as a receipt. So, the question is, what is the best way to help the people in the town of Knox?
By Mr. Hoffman
I am not sure if you found a family yet or not. However I have a family that is def in need of assistance unfortunately they are not in Knox. The mother is unemployed. The kids are 13 and 11. She was saving money and about two weeks ago her wallet was stolen. She is unable to provide them with anything for Christmas this year. Obviously it is too late to sign up for programs to assist so I am on a mission to pull together what I can. Please if you are still interested in helping a family could this family possibly be yours to help?
Merry Christmas and God Bless
The Wheatland lions club does a lot of community work in and around knox county. You would get a receipt, and even want might want to join., we are meeting the 2nd Monday in Jan, Feb and March. Our main fund raisers is wheatfest every July... :)
I don't know where to turn for help. I live in Rockville, Indiana. I called Toys for Tots and they said I was too late to put his name on list. The Marine Corps doesn't do Parke county. I checked it online, so I don't know who to contact. Any suggestions?
By Billie
You might try your local human services office, I know some people that have done this, also you might call local church in your area. I know they also help families with gifts at christmas.
Most of the nation wide charities that do Christmas help have a cut off date of mid-November, for applications, that is so that they can do their budgeting. If the Marines were in your area they would be connected with Toys for Tots. You don't say how old your son is but most of the charities have age cut off limits of 12-13 years too. Can't you afford to get him one little thing in the $10.00 price range?
I need help this year with Christmas gifts. My husband and I are both on disability, and things are really hard. I have 2 girls, 16 and 9 years old. I can't get them anything and it breaks my heart. I can't even buy a tree. Does anyone know where I can get help?
By linda from Knox, IN
Your family is better off than a lot of families. I think most of the charities have met their quotas for the year. I know here in South Dakota the two main ones that help with Christmas have had a lot more requests and are way behind on donations. Your kids are old enough to understand if you explain to them that times are hard right now.
I agree with redhatterb. Your children are old enough to understand that this year will be difficult to buy gifts since there is little to no money.
I have a suggestion about a tree and I'm not kidding. I think this would be so much fun to do as a family togetherness project and your girls and their friends would love it. How about a Charlie Brown Christmas tree? Go out back and break off a nice branch from a tree , put it in a planter (maybe you have one from your yard), put a couple of decorations on it, a little ribbon, set of lights and there you go, you'll have yourselves a unique and lovely Christmas tree.
I would be more concerned about putting food on the table. You and your family already have the best gifts anyone could ask for. You have each other. I have a feeling that your family and friends will come through for you also.
Merry Christmas everyone and Happy New Year !
Mary
ThriftyFun is one of the longest running frugal living communities on the Internet. These are archives of older discussions.
Charities that offer help during the holiday season in Indiana. Please post feedback about any charities you may know about.
Editor's Note: Do NOT post here if you need help. ThriftyFun does not have resources to give direct help to those in need.
Not sure how far they go but I live in Fairmount, Indiana and we have a group called the Helping Hands. Every year they put out applications around this town and a few surrounding. Fill them out and turn them back in and if you meet their requirements(low income, elderly etc) They bring you food LOTS of it and gifts for your children. They are wonderful even though I am very low income I try to put money in their jars when I can. (11/16/2005)
By Debbie
These organizations are in Knox County, Indiana. Hope this helps somebody.
Vincennes Food Pantry PO Box 1235 Vincennes IN 47591 (812) 882-7310
North Knox Social Ministries 413 Murlin St Bicknell IN 47512-1926 (812) 735-3262
Generations PO Box 314 Vincennes IN 47591-0314 (800) 742-9002
Ridgecrest Baptist Church Food Pantry 1820 McKinley Ave Vincennes IN 47591-0857 (812) 882-0401
Salvation Army Vincennes 2300 N 2nd St Vincennes IN 47591-2444 (812) 882-6933
Community United Methodist Church 1548 S Hart Street Rd Vincennes IN 47591 (812) 882-2220
Kerusso Koffee House 202 West 2nd Street, Bicknell, IN 47512 (812) 735-4175
(11/30/2005)
By Wendy
Check with the local United Way. They should be able to direct you to organizations that can help. (11/30/2005)
By alice
Are your children on SSI? If not you need to apply at your local social security administration. You also need to apply at your local welfare office for food stamps, medicaid and TANF (cash assistance) to see if you are eligible for these services. Your local United Way is a clearing house for all the charitable organizations in your area and can give you names, addresses and phone numbers for these agencies. If your husband is only working part time maybe he could care for the grandmother while you work when the boys are in school. I worked days and my husband worked nights. He slept while the children were in school and cared for them until I came home after school. It was hard but we made it through. Good luck (12/01/2005)
by snigdibbly
