Holiday Giving

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

• Slime Kits
• Food Gift Cards
• Store Gift Cards
• Bath & Body Works Items
• Fragrances
• Iowa State Football/Basketball Tickets
• Movies
• Video games
• Shoes
• Instruments (guitars, ukuleles, drums, keyboards)
• Scooters

High School Program

• Visa Gift Cards
• Basketball Shoes (Nike) for Boys & Girls
• Gift Cards for Restaurants
• Gift Cards for Stores
• Movie Tickets – Flix
• Sports Balls/Equipment
• Make-Up & Supplies
• Cell Phone Accessories
• Games: ex: Uno, Board Games, etc.
• Wireless Headphones
• 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, 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