The holiday season is a time for giving. What better way to give than to give back to others in need in Williamsport and surrounding areas? Not only does it help our city of Williamsport and surrounding areas grow stronger, but if you involve your children, it gives them a lifelong lesson in the importance of helping others when you can. With that in mind, here are ways you and your family can get involved in giving back in and around Williamsport this holiday season ... and all year long.

Know of a toy, clothing, or food drive we missed or a volunteer opportunity Williamsport we left out? Let us know by sending an email to nicolehickoff@macaronikid.com and we'll add it to our list!

Donating toys, clothes, or food in Williamsport

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Toy Drives in Williamsport

Operation Christmas Child Shoebox

Details: Fill a shoe box with various small items-hygiene products, school supplies, small toys. Click here for examples.

How to donate: Drop off at a participating location. Several churches in our area are accepting filled shoe boxes)

Have questions? Visit Operation Christmas Child Shoebox website for more information.

Megan's Box

Details: Meagan's Box is a nonprofit Christmas Project in which toys and clothing are purchased for children ages birth to 18 years of age.

How to donate: Anyone interested in donating to support this effort, their address is P.O. Box 294, Hughesville, PA 17737.

Have questions? You can check out their Facebook Group for more information.

Oliva's Toy Drive

Details: Olivia has spent countless hours at the hospital during her cancer treatments. Each visit she was given a toy or game from Child Life. This holiday she wants to give back. She is collecting new board games for the Child Life Department at the Janet Weis Children's Hospital. Please help her spread some holiday cheer!!

How to donate: You can drop off new board games to Elite Feet in Montoursville or PMF Industries on Reach Road in Williamsport. Donations being accepted till 11/24/21

Have questions? You can contact Olivia's mother, Rebecca Perrotto at 570-772-2251.

Toys for Tots

Details: Toys for Tots accepts new, unwrapped toys during October, November, and December.

How to donate: There are many drop-off locations in Lycoming County. One drop of Location is the YMCA. All the branches of the River Valley YMCA are accepting donations.

Have questions? Click here for more information about Toys for Tots.

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Clothing Drives in Williamsport

Son-Light House Muncy

Details: A non-profit organization that accepts donations and has twice-monthly (usually) distribution dates for those in need of food, clothing, and small items.

How to donate: Items can be dropped off at 130 Carpenter Street, Muncy PA 17756. Items can be dropped off on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday from 7:00 am -10:00 am.

Have questions? You can contact the Son-Light House at 570-546-3585. More information can be found on their Facebook Page.

The Hope Chest

Details: The Hope Chest exists to ease the trauma and transition of placement, restoring hope through an open door so that foster children and the families that love them are able to get what they need. They take donations of diapers (sizes 1, 2, 3, and 4) & wipes, laundry detergent & dryer sheets, new socks & underwear for children and teens, new (not used) duffle bags, totes, & carry-on suitcases, cell phone chargers for teens, and new & like-new clothing for all ages.

How to donate: You may contact Dwell Orphan Care's Hope Chest director, Kayla Ham to make arrangements for drop off, kayla@dwellorphancare.org.

Have questions? For more information, check out The Hope Chest which is part of Dwell Orphan Care.

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Food Drives in and around Williamsport

YWCA

Details: The YWCA Northcentral PA accepts Unopened and unexpired shelf-stable foods such as cereal, rice, soup, pasta, sauces. The YWCA Northcentral PA also accepts other items and has an AMAZON wish list available.

How to donate:

Have questions? If you can, include contact info or a website here.

Central Pennslyvania Food Bank

Details: The Central Pennslyvania Food Bank has started to do virtual food drives in addition to their traditional food drives. To find a local food drive, check out their website!

How to donate: You can donate a monetary donation by clicking here. To donate to a local food bank, check out their website to find one of the many food pantries in our area. Many of our local churches have food pantries so you can contact one of them as well.

Have questions? Check out the Central Pennslyvania Food Bank's website. If you are a business or other organization that has food donations you can contact Beth Hamilton, Director of Food Sourcing & Logistics at 717.724.3191.

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Giving trees in and around Williamsport

Montoursville Police Department

Details: The "Giving Tree" is up in the Boro building lobby. On the tree you will find tags with gift ideas for children in the Montoursville School District area that are in need this Christmas. Take a tag and then when you purchase gifts, return the gifts to the Boro building unwrapped and place them in the box next to the tree by 12/15.

How to donate: Return gifts, unwrapped, and place them in the box by December 15, 2021.

Have questions? You can visit the Montoursville Police Department's Facebook Page.

Walmart Giving Tree

Details: Walmart and The Salvation Army are teaming once again to help millions of children and families in need. Once a child is accepted as an Angel, donors like you can shop for their Christmas wish list. Once the gifts are received, The Salvation Army will distribute them to families in need for Christmas morning.

How to donate: Supporters can join their efforts by donating in person at most Walmart Stores or online. Simply pick a tag off the Angel Tree located inside your local Walmart store or check out our local registry (Milton Salvation Army) to shop online using Walmart’s Registry for Good.

Have questions? For questions about your Walmart Registry purchase, please contact Registryforgood@walmart.com.

The Angel Tree

Details: It’s that time of year again! The Angel Tree is up and the YWCA needs your help to make our clients’ Christmas the best one ever! This year their clients wrote down something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read. Purchase one mentioned item or all of them, it’s up to you!

How to donate: To participate in the Angel Tree, come on into the Boutique and pick out a tag, check in with our volunteers, purchase your gifts, and drop them back off at the YWCA from December 9th through the 11th.

Have questions? Any questions, you can contact the Boutique at (570) 322-4637.

Donating time in and around Williamsport

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Looking to volunteer your family's time this holiday season in and around Williamsport? Here are some local organizations in and around Williamsport that welcome help:

Volunteer with the YWCA!

Details: The YWCA Northcentral PA welcomes and invites you to explore ways to share your time and talent within their organization and programs. They greatly appreciate and value your interest in supporting those they serve, and they look forward to developing relationships with individuals, businesses, and organizations to both educate and engage in their mission and service opportunities.

How to get started: The YWCA has many options available for volunteering-Direct Service Volunteer, Boutique Volunteer, or administration tasks. Check out their website for more information and to learn more about the requirements (most positions require an application be filled out).

Lycoming County United Way

Details: Volunteering your time is critical to the function of our communities. Volunteers serve on the Board of Directors, lead working committees that drive policy, staff campaign divisions, present information about the Lycoming County United Way to employee groups, determine how money raised is distributed and assist with special events.

How to get started: Are you interested in volunteering with the Lycoming County United Way? Contact them via email or call 570.323.9448 to learn more!

Volunteer at the Lycoming County SPCA

Details: Volunteers are a vital part of the Lycoming County SPCA. Without them, they would not be able to perform many of the functions at our shelter. Because of the sensitive nature of their work and the potential liability involved, the SPCA accepts volunteers ages 14 and over. The SPCA is always looking for eager volunteers to assist with the shelter animals and the everyday responsibilities of shelter life. Whether you are interested in walking dogs, socializing cats, office work, or special events, they have something for you.

How to get started: Please complete the Volunteer Application. Once you submit the application, the SPCA's Volunteer Manager will contact you.

Volunteer for the Salvation Army Bell Ringer

Details: The Salvation Army is in need of volunteers for MANY of their services, but one that is coming up is collecting money through their Red Kettle Campaign! You can learn more about other ways to volunteer by checking out their website!

How to get started: For more information, please contact Laura Templeton at (570) 326-9187, ext. 103.

Showing Gratitude: How to Give Back In and Around Williamsport