At R.C. Hatton, we strive to give generously all year long, whether it is through donating food, money, or time – giving back to the community is a vital part of our organizational culture. This time of the year, many people are looking for ways to give a little more, or do something special to spread holiday cheer. It is also the time of the year where those who are already struggling do not have the means to celebrate the holiday season. This reality is heartbreaking, but the wonderful news is that together we can make a difference.
Across our community, there are many amazing organizations that work diligently day in and day out to make a positive impact on throughout our communities. We have grown to personally know many of the devoted people leading these organizations and we stand behind their missions and outreach. In an effort to create awareness, build relationships, and connect you with programs that you can confidently give to – we are spotlighting several incredible charities and organizations that you may want to consider giving to this holiday season whether it is through volunteering your time or by giving monetarily.
Feeding South Florida
Feeding America is the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief organization, comprised of 200 food banks throughout the United States. Feeding South Florida is proud to be the sole Feeding America food bank serving Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe Counties.
Here’s how you can help – https://feedingsouthflorida.org/ways-to-help/
The Lighthouse Ministries of the Glades
The mission of the Lighthouse Café is to transform the Glades area through God’s grace, love, and peace, by bringing together diverse groups to provide food, counseling and a helping hand to all. They focus their ministries on helping bridge denominational and racial barriers for the benefit of the entire community by bringing Christian congregations throughout the Glades together to minister to those in need. Located in the heart of Belle Glade, Florida, their doors are open Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to noon. Each day, their dedicated volunteers prepare balanced hot meals for those who are in need.
Here’s how you can help – https://thelighthousecafe.org/donate
Ella’s Closet
With a mission to provide the families of young children with life-saving skills such as CPR, educational workshops, mentoring, and basic provisions for their infants and children, Ella’s Closet opened its doors in 2015 as a ministry of the Light House Cafe located in Belle Glade, FL. Full of clothing, baby gear, toiletries, formula, diapers, and much more, the walls of Ella’s Closet are stocked full of everything you could think of for infants and children through five years of age! If you want to be a shopper of Ella’s Closet, you have to use “Ella Bucks”. To earn “Ella Bucks,” you have to attend the workshops or classes held by Ella’s Closet throughout the month. Held at the Light House Cafe, the mothers and families of young children within the Western Glades Communities can connect with each other while also learning life and parenting skills. Upon completion, the attendees are “paid” in Ella Bucks as a reward for attending that class or workshop. They can then choose to save their bucks for a larger ticket item, or they can go ahead and start shopping!
Here’s how you can help – https://ellascloset.org/howyoucanhelp/
Palm Beach County Food Bank
According to the United Way, 12% of households live below poverty and an additional 29% earn more than the poverty level but less than the cost of living. Too many are struggling to meet basic needs. The Palm Beach County Food Bank’s sole focus is feeding more children, families, and seniors in the communities throughout Palm Beach County. During the 2014-15 fiscal year, the Palm Beach County Food Bank distributed more than 5 million pounds of food, worth more than $8 million dollars. The food they distribute reaches nearly 100,000 hungry residents in Palm Beach County.
Here’s how you can help – https://www.pbcfoodbank.org/get-involved
Dunklin Memorial
After 50 years, Dunklin has become the model for “Cities of Refuge” around the world. Their vision is to reproduce working recovery programs and leadership training schools in the U.S. and in other countries wanting to be trained in the Trinity Concept of recovery. The model is comprised of a residential recovery program, along with a recovery church, and a leadership training center, all under the covering of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Here’s how you can help – http://dunklin.org/how-you-can-help/
Cross Training Ministries
Cross Training Ministries is a one-year residential Christ-centered, discipleship regeneration program that ministers the gospel to drug addicts and alcoholics 18-25 years old and their families. They believe the Christian discipleship approach to drug and alcohol addictions produces the most effective and enduring results.
Here’s how you can help – https://www.ctmflorida.com/contact-us.html
JTK Bike Shop
One of the most interesting things about JTK Bike Shop is that it has NO affiliation with any church or government agency. It is a “grassroots” endeavor born of the heart of a person recognizing the need to equip young teens with the necessary life skills to embark on their first job experience. At JTK Bike Shop the students are partners in the overall project and have a shared responsibility for its ongoing success. They collect donated bicycles and repair/restore them to working condition. The bikes are then donated to local families or sold to the community at greatly discounted rates ($5-$15).
Here’s how you can help – https://www.givegab.com/campaigns/jtk-bike-shop
SafeSpace
SafeSpace is a 501© non-profit United Way organization serving victims of domestic violence in Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River counties in Florida. In addition to a 60-bed Emergency Shelter, SafeSpace also provides a Supportive Living program for individuals in need of longer-term housing as well as outreach services for those who choose not to enter a shelter but whose lives are being affected by domestic violence.
Here’s how you can help – http://www.safespacefl.org/ways-to-help.html
Place of Hope
Place of Hope is a unique, faith-based, state-licensed children’s organization providing family-style foster care (emergency and long-term); family outreach and intervention; maternity care; safety for victims of domestic minor sex trafficking; transitional housing and support services for youth aging out of foster care; housing and support services for homeless families; foster care recruitment and support; hope and healing opportunities for children and families who have been traumatized by abuse and neglect throughout our region.
Here’s how you can help – https://www.placeofhope.com/donate/
The Refuge Ranch
The Refuge Ranch is a 501 © (3) public charity that exists to offer Christ-centered, faith-based opportunities for addiction treatment to women. The Refuge Ranch meets a community need by filling the gap that exists between women with access to treatment through financial means and health insurance and the women who are unable to access care because of a lack of resources to pay for services.
Here’s how you can help – http://www.therefugeranch.org/How-You-Can-Help-Refuge-Ranch.html