When it comes to helping your neighbors, Bristol’s heart is always in the right place. The holidays can be an especially difficult time for those in need. The winter season makes these needs all the greater for those without homes or the necessities of life. If you are looking to give back during this time of year – here are some suggestions for groups that truly make a difference in Bristol:
The Agape House – 43 School St., P.O. Box 1273, Bristol, CT 860-582-1281, 860-706-6088
www.theagapehousebristol.org Open Monday – Saturday 8-12
Warm clothing, warm socks, peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, cup-o-soup, small Chef Boyardee Pop top items, Pop Top non-concentrated soup, Hormel complete meals-non refrigerated, bottled water, canned soda, coffee, creamer, sugar, plastic ware, paper plates, paper bowls, toilet paper, 55 gallon garbage bags, financial donations.
Brian’s Angels, 19 Jacobs St., 1-5 daily, P.O. Box 2111, Bristol, CT 860-995-6858 (Pat Stebbins)
Financial donations may be mailed to the PO Box.
8 oz. coffee cups, cleaning supplies, small soaps, toothbrushes, toothpaste, paper towels, sandwich meat, snacks, pop tarts, juice, bottled water, chips, hand or foot warmers, plastic utensils, paper plates and bowls, jeans, hoodies, warm socks, winter camping gear (sleeping bags, tents, tarps), thermal clothing, winter shoes, underwear, thermal underwear, boots, heavy winter gloves, men’s beanies, backpacks.
Best Cleaner’s, 100 North St., 860-583-3935 7 am – 7 pm
Collecting coats for Salvation Army, Puerto Rico flood victims through January 6 (at any Best Cleaner location) – “Coats for Connecticut” clothing drive www.coatsforct.org
Christian Fellowship Center, 43 Prospect St., Bristol 860-589-0662
Rev. Herb Desjardins, paster@cfcstorehouse.org www.cfcstorehouse.org
The Christian Fellowship Center Storehouse operates a soup kitchen, food pantry, and clothing ministry weekly.
For Goodness Sake, 273 Riverside Ave., Saturday 12-1, Sunday 12-3
Cleaning supplies, soaps, toothbrushes, toothpaste, sponges, toilet cleaner, paper towels, dishwashing liquid, laundry detergent, used furniture in good shape.
https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/b14afc_1a71bd95bb2345eda8f5391b6d104eb5.pdf
Bristol Police Department, 131 North Main St., Bristol
Annual Christmas Toy Drive to benefit the Bristol Salvation Army. The toys can be dropped off at the front desk lobby. The toy drive will run from November 17 through Tuesday, December 19. The toys should be unwrapped and appropriate for boys and girls between the ages of one and twelve years old. The distribution of the toys will be administered by the Salvation Army. The Police Department will also be collecting toys at Stop & Shop on Pine Street on December 9th from 10-4, and there will be a “Stuff a Cruiser” event at Walmart on December 18th.
New Horizons Living Center, Inc. , 34 Fallsbrook Road Bristol, CT 06010
William Crandall, Director, Program Development, 860-584-2105 www.nhlcct.com
Provides supportive housing and counseling services to children and adults with mental, physical, and/or developmental disabilities, and/or individuals in substance abuse recovery.
Wishes: Multiple grocery store gift cards, Target, Wal-Mart gift cards.
Parent and Child Center at Bristol Hospital, 9 Prospect Street Bristol, CT 06010 860-585-3481
https://www.bristolhospital.org/Services/Parent-and-Child-Center.aspx Diapers (size 1-6), wipes, baby food, toddler snacks, baby wash, baby shampoo, adult hygiene products, smart board, gift cards for arts and craft supplies.
The Salvation Army, 19 Stearns St., 860-583-4651, Lieutenants Emmanuel & Shareena Echavarria
The Salvation Army has a Toy Drive and run a soup kitchen.
www.ctri.salvationarmy.org/SNE/Bristol Shareena.Echavarria@use.salvationarmy.org
St. Vincent de Paul Mission of Bristol, Inc., 19 Jacobs St. 860-589-9098 Phillip Lysiak and Linda Kerr
Overnight shelter to the homeless to provide a safe, stable environment to re-build their lives. Monetary donations help with operational costs, including bedding, mattresses, bed linens, towels and food. All donations whether large or small are appreciated. Donations can be mailed to:
St. Vincent DePaul Mission of Bristol, Inc., P.O. Box 1922, Bristol, CT 06011-1922.
Please call Linda at 860-589-9098 for information on how to volunteer your time.
edsvdp@comcast.net www.svdpofbristol.com
United Way of West Central CT, 440 North Main St., 860-582-9559 www.uwwestcentralct.org
Supplies children’s toys to local agencies. For children between the ages of 3 and 14. You may drop off toys at 440 North Main Street, Bristol, Wednesday, December 6 & Thursday, December 7th from 9 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. New, unwrapped toys or gifts. They also accept gift cards to local stores so that the staff can purchase extra gifts for age groups that do not receive all the gifts they need. Please contact Kim at 860-582-9559 x 407 or kcarmelich@uwwestcentralct.org if you have questions.
PYVOT, in partnership with Webster Bank, is accepting UNUSED gift items for the annual re-gifting program. Re-gifting your unwanted or unneeded items allows over 1,000 children from low income areas in Bristol to select a gift for their parent or caregiver. It is SO important for children to experience the joy of giving during the holiday season. Collecting now through December 10th. Drop-off locations are: Bristol Public Library-5 High St., Manross Library-260 Central St., United Way of West Central CT-440 North Main St., Webster Bank-647 Farmington Avenue, 150 Main St., and 797 Pine St.
Wojtusik Nursery, 750 Terryville Ave.,
You may drop off toys at Wojtusik’s Nursery for the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program until December 16.
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 27 Judd St., 860-589-7744, Meals for the Needy Soup Kitchen
Contact Cheryl Yetke, Meals for the Needy Director. C.yetke@hotmail.com
Nonperishable food, small denomination gift cards (for grocery stores, clothing stores, etc.), blankets, jackets, hats, scarves, mittens, back packs, health and comfort items.
Necessities Cupboard 435 Broad Street, Bristol, CT 06010
Looking for any and all food pantry items.