Toy Drives 

FreeMAT Toy Drive: run by a voluntary organization of employees from New York Hospital Queens, this toy drive will donate to children of deployed army personnel from local reserve bases until December 15^th. To drop off donations, please visit the New York Hospital Queens Main Entrance Security Desk at 56-45 Main Street, Flushing, NY. For more information, visit here:nyhq.org/evc/Page.asp?PageID=EVC000167&Date=2010-12-05

Holiday Toy Swap: Hosted by ThredUp, this toy drive allows parents to donate their children’s gently used toys to a family in need. ThredUp sends their own boxes, picks up the shipment and puts the shipment label on the package so you don’t have to spend a dime! For more information, visit thredup.com/toys

Brooklyn New York Marine Foundation: With several convenient drop-off locations throughout Manhattan and the outer boroughs, bring a smile to the faces of needy children this holiday season by donating new, unwrapped toys. For more information, please visit: brooklyn-ny.toysfortots.org

La Casa De Salsa Holiday Toy Drive: Brooklyn’s premier dance studio is hosting its first-ever holiday toy drive. Stop by to donate a toy or a book to bring a smile to a child’s face! For more information, visit facebook.com/lacasadesalsaDS

The Jewish Community Center Holiday Toy Drive: Donate new, unwrapped toys through December 14^th and help support the non-profit organization A Sanctuary For Families, which gives support for domestic violence victims. For more information, visit: jccmanhattan.org/cat-content.aspx?catid=2881&progID=22011

Room To Grow: Donate gifts at the Room to Grow Manhattan headquarters or support this charity by purchasing items from the online gift registry! This non-profit organization supports low-income parents of babies and toddlers year round, so help bring these families some holiday cheer! For more information, visit: roomtogrow.org/

Baby Buggy: Bring some holiday cheer to parents and babies living in poverty by donating new and gently used items such as bottle warmers, bibs, bassinets, and more at Baby Buggy’s Manhattan Headquarters on West 37^th street. For more information, visit: babybuggy.org

Coalition For The Homeless Annual Toy Drive: Help support this organization’s goal of reaching 1,000 gifts for needy children living in New York City shelters this holiday season! You can drop off toy donations at Public Advocate Bill de Blasios’ office in Manhattan. For more information, visit: pubadvocate.nyc.gov/holiday-toy-drive

Second Chance Toy Drive: Log onto their website for locations nearest you! They accept only plastic toys, and they must be clean and fully operational. The drive lasts until December 9^th. Please visit secondchancetoys.typepad.com/ for details.

Food Drives

Montessori School’s Holiday Food Drive: Help the children of the Montessori School of New York International reach their goal of 500,000 non-perishable food items by donating! You can contributions at any of the three campuses of the Montessori School of New York International: 105 8^th Avenue, Park Slope; 347 East 55^th Street NYC; and 55-30 Junction Blvd, Queens.

Food Bank For New York City: Log onto their official website to find out which donation site is closest to you, and see which food items they are in need of! Your contribution will go towards one of the many food assistance programs throughout the five boroughs. For more information, visit: www.foodbanknyc.org/go/how-you-can-help

Daily News Food Drive: This food drive is City Harvest’s largest event. Donations are accepted at any FDNY or NYPD police station, as well as any New York City Modell’s Sporting Goods stores. You can also donate directly at the Daily News Building lobby at450 West 33^rd street. For more information, please visit: cityharvest.org/donate-food/donation-drives/

Project Hospitality: Donate fruit juice, coffee, tea, non-perishable milk, and peanut butter and jelly at Project Hospitality’s food pantry. You can also donate fresh fruits and vegetables at their Community Service Center at 514 Bay Street from 9a.m. to 5p.m. For more information, please visit projecthospitality.org/index.php?id=34

Feeding America: This holiday season consider making a monetary donation to Feeding America and help Americans who are struggling against hunger and poverty. You can donate $25, $50, $100, or name your own price. For more information, please visit: feedingamerica.org/take-action/donate.aspx

Greenpoint Reformed Church: Make a monetary donation or leave boxed or canned food in the collection box at the church or outside the front door. Also, consider volunteering with church’s food pantry and bring a smile to those in need! For more information, please visit: greenpointchurch.org/?page_id=84

Animals Relief Fund: Pets need food too! Go online to their website and see a list of participating pet stores to buy a bag of pet food to be donated! Or make a monetary donation online to help struggling pet owners. For more information, please visit: arf-ny.org/index.html

Animal Care and Control Holiday Drive: Visit the drop-off sites in your neighborhood and give food, blankets, and toys to homeless NYC animals. Also consider adopting a cat or a dog from the AC&C this holiday season as well. For more information, visit: nycacc.org/Holiday_Donation_drive.html

ASPCA: Donate unopened food for cats and dogs at the ASPCA’s Adoption center 424 East 92nd Street between 1st and York Ave during the regular adoptions hours: Monday to Saturday 11:00 A.M. - 7:00 P.M. or Sunday 11:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. For more information, please visit: donate.aspca.org/sitecore/content/Home/Donate/donating-blankets-petfood-etc/