Donation Needs
Material donations can be brought to our Home Office at 2301 Hickman Road in Des Moines. Our office hours are Monday - Friday, 9 - 4pm. If you have further questions, please email info@freedomforyouth.org.
Carlisle/Hartford
For more info on Carlisle/Hartford, email Bob at bshort@freedomforyouth.org.
- Individually wrapped snacks (ex: granola bars, Cheez-Its, Pretzels, Raisins, etc)
- Adventure Bibles
- Jigsaw Puzzles (25-50 pieces)
- 3-D Puzzles
- Gift Cards for program supplies (ex: Casey's, Target, Dollar General, Fareway, True Value)
- Paper Products
- Paper Plates
- Plastic Silverware
- Napkins
- Paper Towels
- Games for 2-6 players (ages 6-14) that can be played in under 30 minutes
- Items from our Amazon Registry List: https://amzn.to/2r6jc3h
Des Moines Hickman
- Printer paper (white, letter sized)
- Paper cutter
- Individually wrapped snacks
Elementary Program
- Popular children's books, especially with characters of color
- Attached a list of ideas here: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/books-with-characters-of-color
- Board games
- Puzzles
- Fun socks
- Craft kits (jewelry, slime, kinetic sand, etc.)
- Interactive toys (Legos, Playstix, etc.)
- Things to wrap the gifts: paper and bags
1-3 are most important
Middle School Program
- Craft Kits
- Food Gift Cards
- Store Gift Cards
- Tickets for activities
- Instruments (guitars, ukuleles, drums, keyboards)
High School Program
- Gift Cards (stores, restaurants, movies, etc.)
- Sports Balls/Equipment
- Games: ex: Uno, Board Games, etc.
- Books
- King Size Candy Bars
Des Moines Metro
For more info on DSM Metro programs, email Carmen at cjohnson@freedomforyouth.org.
- Toiletries (Soap, deodorant, toothpaste, tooth brush)
- Socks
- Hats, Gloves, Scarfs
- Craft Kits (jewelry, bracelets, etc.)
- Crunchy Slim/Fluffy Foam - https://www.amazon.com/Kawaii-Crunchy-FINEC-Squishy-Scented/dp/B07CKKMNJK
- Blind Bags - https://www.walmart.com/c/kp/blind-bags
- Gift Cards (Quik Trip, Fast Food)
Huxley
For more info on Huxley programs, email Kaitlyn at khansen@freedomforyouth.org.
- Snack & meal items
- Fruit Snacks
- Crackers
- Granola Bars
- Pretzels
- Disinfecting Wipes
- Hand Soap
- Trash Bags
- Paper Products
- Paper Plates
- Silverware
- Napkins
- Paper Towels
- Toilet Paper
- Donations for Field Trips: (ex: pool passes to Slater Pool, movie tickets, etc.)
- Gift Cards
- Small prizes for K-12th grade students
- King Sized Candy Bars
- Craft Kits
- Books
Knoxville
For more info on Knoxville programs, email Jessica at jevans@freedomforyouth.org.
- 2 non-slip door mats for sides doors
- Trash bags (33 gallon)
- Dry mop
- Hand soap
- Paper towels
- Folding chairs
- Ink cartridge for printer (HP LaserJet 36A CB436A)
- Small toy prizes & gift cards
- Snack items (apples, bananas, cheese sticks, celery, etc.)
- Woodshop needs:
- 1 jig saw
- Router bits (both ½ shank & ¼ shank)
- Pine lumber of 1x4, 1x6, 1x12 in any lengths
- Fasteners (screws, finish nails, wood glue, etc.)
Mitchellville
For more info on Mitchellville programs, email Candy at cdeel@freedomforyouth.org.
- Small bottles of water
- Paper products (toilet paper, kleenex/tissue paper, paper towels, cups, plates, bowls silverware)
- Non-perishable food items for the local pantry
- Construction paper and craft supplies
- Gift cards (Dollar General, grocery stores, etc.)
- Snacks (ex: individually wrapped fruit snacks, pretzels, crackers, chips)
- Basketballs, soccer balls, kickballs, chalk, jump rope, bubbles
- Donations for summer field trips (ex: Adventureland)
Perry
For more info on Perry programs, email Jessica at jevans@freedomforyouth.org.
- Snacks: granola bars, applesauce, crackers, fresh fruit, pudding, etc.
- Paper products: cups plates, bowls, paper towels
- Craft supplies
- Cleaning supplies: trash bags, dish soap, disinfecting wipes
Stuart
For more info on Stuart programs, email Leanna at lmullen@freedomforyouth.org.
- Board Games
- Books (for all ages)
- Washable markers
- Construction paper
- Dish cloths
- Cleaning supplies
- Disinfecting wipes
- Hand sanitizer
- Paper products
- Paper towels
- Napkins
- Individually wrapped snacks