Items Needed & Holiday Giving Drive

Give Back This Holiday Season

One of the biggest gifts you can give this holiday season is helping us keep our shelter, services, and resources available for victim-survivors all year-round.

Our goal is to raise $100,000 by the end of December, please donate to support our:

  • 24/7 Shelter & Facilities
  •  Children’s Program
  • Alternative Shelter Program
  • Pet Foster Program
  • Housing Stability Services
  • In-Shelter Therapy and Counseling
  • Safe Harbor Advocacy
  • 24/7 Crisis Line
  • Pop-Up Advocacy
  • Online Survivor Support Group

Can you make a gift before December 22nd? Learn more on how to donate here.

Gift Card Drive

Throughout the year, we are in need of gift cards to Walmart, Five Below, Target, local gas stations, and local grocery stores to support the immediate needs of the families living in our programming.

For our holiday giving challenge, gift cards are a great way to support victim-survivors and families healing from domestic violence! Gift cards provide essentials like gas, groceries, and household supplies, offering stability to families on their healing journey. 

We Need Your Help! 

 Step 1. Purchase $20-$50 gift cards from:

– Target 

– Walmart 

– Holiday Gas Station 

– Speedway Gas Station 

 Step 2. Mail your gift cards by the end of the year to:

These can be mailed directly to shelter at: Women’s Advocates, PO BOX 4039, St. Paul, MN 55104

Step 3. The top five organizations who donate the most gift cards before December 22nd will be featured on our website, social media, newsletter, and thank you messaging!

 

Winter-Wear Drive

Help the adults and children we serve stay warm this winter by donating all brand new or newly handmade winter-wear before December 22!
This includes..
  • Coats
  • Boots
  • Mittens & Gloves
  • Hats
  • Scarves
  • Snow Pants & Bibs
*please consider plus sizes and varying children’s sizes
Order directly from our Amazon Wish List to be shipped to our shelter directly or purchase elsewhere and you can contact development@wadvocates.org to coordinate a drop-off or mail directly to Women’s Advocates, PO BOX 4039, St. Paul, MN 55104

Be Present Holiday Gift Drive

Sponsoring someone for the Be Present Holiday Gift Drive is a powerful way to bring joy and hope during a challenging time: it shows victim-survivors of domestic violence that they’re seen, valued, and part of a caring community. Your thoughtful gift can spark smiles, restore holiday cheer, and remind them that brighter days are ahead.
To sponsor an individual and/or family staying in our emergency shelter or our housing stability program, fill out this quick form by November 21.
We will begin matching donors to residents on a first come first served basis until everyone in shelter is matched. If you are matched, you will be notified by Monday, November 24th and will receive the individual or family’s wish list to make your gift truly meaningful.
Donations for individuals must be received (mailed or dropped off) at shelter by Monday December 15th. Thank you for helping spread joy!

General In-Kind Requests

Support victim-survivors and their children in our 24/7 Emergency Shelter, Alternative Shelter Program, and Housing Stability Program by donating new items based on current needs and storage availability.

To donate, please email development@wadvocates.org. All in-kind donations must be pre-approved or they cannot be accepted.


ALL NEW, UNOPENED, or LIKE NEW
Women’s Advocates does not accept donations of used items like clothing, cribs, highchairs, car seats, breast pumps, other infant/toddler items, and opened personal care items.

HYGIENE PRODUCTS
Personal Hygiene: mini/travel size toothpastes, floss, unscented Dove body wash/soap bars, pads & tampons, razors, deodorant, Q-tips, travel size Vaseline, first-aid kits, unscented baby lotion & baby wash
Hair Care (Curly/Textured): large hair ties, brushes, large/fine-tooth combs, detangling brushes, hair gel/grease, hair moisturizers/lotions, shampoos, conditioners, leave-in conditioner, hair scarves/wraps, hair bonnets/durags

HOME/SHELTER
Bathroom: towels, wash cloths, hand towels, shower curtain liners & hooks, 2-ply toilet paper, Kleenex, toilet brushes, plungers
Cleaning: All-purpose cleaner, brooms & dustpans, Clorox wipes, tall garbage bags, tall (13-gallon) plastic trash cans with lid, paper towels, sponges, mops & mop buckets
Laundry: laundry baskets/hampers, unscented dryer sheets, unscented laundry soap, hangers
Kitchen: unscented dish soap, cooking utensils, dish racks, dishwasher-safe plastic cups & plates, paper cups/plates/bowls, silverware, oven mitt sets, skillet sets
Bedding: Twin size comforters & sheets, pillow cases (standard size), throw/fleece blankets, baby blankets
Storage/Travel: luggage (clean and in good condition), adult size backpacks, new car seats and booster seats, baby monitors, air mattresses, first aid kits, storage bins (18 gallon totes)

CLOTHING (new/unworn only)
Adult Clothes (Women’s/Unisex): leggings, sweatpants, long-sleeved T-shirts, sweatshirts
Emphasis on comfortable/lounge items; varying sizes, no logo
Children/Baby Clothes: Diapers/pullups size 2-4, onesies (all sizes), children’s & baby socks
Underwear: children, women’s & unisex
Winter/Outdoor: kids & adult coats, winter boots, mittens, hats

CHILDREN
Toys/Play: for babies, multicultural dolls, doll furniture, play kitchen food/dishes, toy cars, paint-by-number/paint sets
Baby Items: (unused) teething toys, floor play mats

PETS
Food: dog & cat wet/dry food

TECH
Personal: ear buds, noise cancelling headphones

 

Amazon Wish List - General

For other items that are essential to victim-survivors and their children, we have an ongoing Amazon Wish List.

Volunteer with us!

This year we have planned volunteer days to help support us with needs around the shelter. Join us to help create a welcoming, warm environment for the victim-survivors we serve.

Learn More