As we un-deck the halls and clear away the remaining holiday clutter, many of us are left with gifts that are not quite right: Clothing that doesnโt fit, a tchotchke with no place to rest, another extra blanket or throw.
You can make those unwanted presents keep giving by re-gifting to local nonprofits.
TMM Family Services, which started as Tucson Metropolitan Ministry outreach more than 40 years ago, is among dozens of local charities in need of in-kind donations to benefit low-income and at-risk children, families and seniors.
Since 1990, TMM Family Services has been providing housing and support for single mothers with children and for children in the care of the Department of Child Safety.
A 2007 beneficiary of funds from Angel Charity of Tucson, its seven-acre midtown campus is licensed to provide care for 53 foster children in 10 group homes in the Childrenโs Village; it also offers 21-low rent apartments for mothers and their children in the Family Journey Program as well as other affordable apartments throughout Southern Arizona. The Childrenโs Village includes a learning center that provides after-school tutoring for the foster children and residents of the village.
โEach population we serve has a slightly different purpose, but overall our mission is to help people become more independent, even the kids ... the average children in foster homes are two years behind their grade level in learning and with our Computer Learning Center, we hope to help them to improve at least one grade level and hopefully get them to their normal grade level so they are education-ready,โ said Don Strauch, TMM Family Services executive director.
TMM Family Services also offers a community closet that provides free clothing and bedding for those in need.
The community closet operates on a voucher system, partnering with about 30 social service agencies, churches and nonprofits to provide free bedding, shoes, accessories and clothing โ including work clothes and school uniforms โ for clients age newborn through adult. Community partners include Arizona Childrenโs Association, Emerge! Center Against Domestic Violence, Interfaith Community Services, Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation, NAMI of Southern Arizona and the Tucson Indian Center.
Brooke Nowak, TMM Family Services vice president of development and community relations, said any donations of clothing, shoes and bedding are welcome at the community closet.
โDuring the last quarter, we gave out 5,000 items in a three-month period to people who are disadvantaged and are participating in our programs or those of other nonprofits. People have a choice of clothing or bedding and can choose to use their vouchers for whichever is their biggest need. We have had the community closet since 1985, but there are many people who donโt know about it and I am trying to get the word out,โ said Nowak.
Nowak is also promoting awareness about the need for donations of larger household items to ReStore, located at the same location as the community closet at 2958 E. 22nd St.
ReStore sells building and home improvement supplies to the general public at discounts of up to 80 percent of retail prices. ReStore inventory includes furniture; working appliances, lighting and electronics; and building supplies such as flooring, paint, doors, windows, cabinetry and plumbing fixtures. All donations are tax-deductible and ReStore offers free pick-up by calling 326-1936.
โThe inventory is generally donated by individuals and businesses; proceeds from the ReStore benefit our programs on the main campus. It is an important revenue source to support our programs; the more we sell, the more money goes toward the foster children, families and seniors,โ Nowak said.
A new programs on the main campus will feature 20 new units of housing for seniors and veterans. Set to break ground in February and expected to be open to residents by this time next year, the collaboration between the city of Tucson, Pima County and TMM Family Services will provide independent living services including a community center for economically disadvantaged seniors.
โWe consistently seek to respond to the needs in the community as our resources allow, so this fits in with a population that is growing demographically older. We have more seniors and veterans that are documented in need not only of housing, but support services, and there are excellent agencies out there providing those. We are touching the tip of the iceberg with these 20 units, but it is a way of addressing the need,โ said Strauch.
Strauch said along with private donations and grants, the Arizona Tax Credit for Qualifying Charitable Organizations will help to offset gaps in funding for various programs and operating costs for TMM Family Services. He said that the goal for holiday and year-end fundraising is $200,000 and emphasized that a religious or faith perspective is not always the deciding factor for those who support TMM Family Services.
โPeople know we are here for a good reason. We have lots of neighbors who have come to know us over the years and they are not drawn to us because of our spiritual emphasis, but because they know we are doing something worthwhile for the people we are serving,โ he said.
