SEARCH In-Kind Needs

Current In-Kind Needs

In-kind donations are essential to each of our programs! Listed below are our immediate needs that include items needed for the season that will be approaching soon. Please note that clothing may be gently worn and blankets may be gently used. Donations are accepted Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm at SEARCH. Weekend deliveries may be arranged. Tax deductible receipts are also available upon delivery.

Non-perishable food

Non-perishable food is very essential to all of clients; especially those in our housing and education departments. We try our best to provide them with enough food to take home for themselves and their family. We collect canned meats, juices, canned vegetables, rice, cereal, applesauce, crackers, beef jerky, granola bars; any food that may be stored in a food pantry.

Hygiene Packets

Hygiene packets are needed for those homeless individuals in our WorkSource, Resource Center (SEARCH’s day shelter), Scattered Site Housing Program, Mobile Outreach Program and our Employee Education Program. We try our best to provide large zip lock hygiene packets that include a new toothbrush, toothpaste, razors, shaving cream, deodorant, body soap, shampoo / conditioner, hand sanitizer, body lotion and sunscreen. Large Zip-Lock bags allow staff to distribute the packets easily. For woman packets, please include pads or tampons. Please note that if you are unable to provide zip lock packets, we will still collect the items. Travel items are accepted.

Baby items

The families we serve, both in our our Scattered Site Housing Program and at the House of Tiny Treasures, an early childhood care center for homeless children, are constantly in need of baby items; such as diapers (sizes 3 and 4), baby wipes, baby food, baby formula and gently used baby clothing.

Cleaning / Housing Supplies

Adults and families in our Scattered Site Housing Program need your help in maintaining their resident with basic home supplies. Food stamps do not cover cleaning supplies at grocery stores; therefore any cleaning supplies are greatly appreciated. We collect dishwashing soap, sponges, paper towels, 409, cleaning wipes, bathroom cleaner, brooms, mops, laundry detergent, glass cleaner, furniture polish. Housing supplies collected are matching dish sets, kitchen / bath towels, electric fans, light bulbs, toilet paper, blankets, bedding sheets.

Work-ready clothing

Our collaboration with the Work Source has helped so many of our clients help find jobs! Therefore, we are in need of collecting gently worn work ready professional clothing for both men and women. Khaki pants are very much needed. Clients meet with their case manager and together they gather their clothing for their interview.

Sandwich Drive

Sandwiches are distributed through our Mobile Outreach Program to individuals who live on the street Monday – Friday afternoons and on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. If you or a group would like to help, SEARCH is always in need of at least 75 – 100 sandwich sacks each day. Sandwiches are very essential to the program and without enough sandwiches the program is unable to feed the homeless. Please put the sandwiches in a small zip lock bag and include both sandwiches in a brown paper sack so we have 2 sandwiches per sack. Sandwiches should be dry, no condiments, just the bread and meat, turkey or ham or peanut butter & jelly, and may be delivered to SEARCH Monday – Friday by 12pm If you would like to make a complete sack lunch, include chips, a piece of fruit, a granola bar and water or juice box. Contact SEARCH if you are interested in weekend deliveries.

Volnteers unloading donated clothes from a truck Donations are accepted Monday – Friday, 9 am – 5 pm at SEARCH. For your tax purposes we provide a donation receipt. Due to safety considerations and the lack of space, we cannot accept: appliances, furniture, used stuffed animals, used board games and puzzles, used computers and components and/or items not in working condition. Please call our donation line (713) 739-7752 ext. 221 for further information. Contact Joseph Benson prior to donation delivery and/or for any questions or concerns, or if you are interested in conducting a donation drive.

Download a copy of our Current In-Kind Needs

Joseph Benson
Tel: (713) 276-3060
E-mail: jbenson@searchproject.org