This Giving Tuesday and holiday season, here’s how to help Centre County organizations
On this Giving Tuesday, and throughout the holiday season, there are many ways to help Centre County nonprofit organizations that have continued to face pandemic-related challenges this year.
The Centre Daily Times asked local nonprofits to share their top needs this holiday season. Below are their responses, which range from requests for financial support to volunteers and other donations. The list will be updated throughout the holiday season. Nonprofits that would like to be included should fill out the form on the CDT’s website.
AIDS Resource Alliance
129 S Sparks St #1, State College
Website: aidsresource.com
Social media: Facebook; Twitter; Instagram; TikTok
Serving the community: We provide services for people living with HIV, as well as free STI and HIV testing.
Biggest challenge this year: The rising costs of both used cars and rental cars, coupled with rising fuel costs, have placed a greater strain than usual on the transportation services that we provide to clients. Our clients rely on us for transportation to medical appointments, delivery of food and hygiene items, and various other needs. Remaining in active medical care and having food security are two very important factors to keeping people living with HIV healthy.
Top need this holiday season: We are currently raising money to purchase an agency vehicle that can be used for client transportation, and transportation of goods and services to our clients. An agency vehicle will reduce our need for costly rental vehicles, and the wear and tear on our employees’ own vehicles.
How else to help: We are accepting donations through the CARS program (https://careasy.org/nonprofit/aidsresourcealliance) to purchase a reliable vehicle for agency use. Donations an also be made directly to the agency through our website (aidsresource.com).
Contact: 814-272-0818 or 570-322-8448; info@aidsresource.com
AAUW State College
Website: aauwstatecollege.org
Social media: Facebook
Serving the community: We strive to advance gender equity for women and girls through research, education and advocacy.
Biggest challenge this year: Holding a mid-year Used Book Sale in the Penn State Agricultural Arena with the many unknowns associated with the the COVID pandemic.
Top need this holiday season: Used book donations. Our new workshop located across from the University Park Airport and behind Handy Delivery is open with new blue donation bins open 24/7. The address is 2197 High Tech Road. See our website for specifics on what we can accept.
We appreciate the tremendous support we receive from the community in donations and volunteerism at the sale and our workshop. We remind the community that all funds raised are spent locally.
How else to help: We are always delighted to welcome new members as well as attendees at our programs.
Contact: info@aauwstatecollege.org
ACRES Project
2400 Bernel Road, State College
Website: www.acresproject.org
Social media: Facebook; Instagram
Serving the community: ACRES Project is a unique community designed by adults with autism for adults with autism. Our mission is to provide individuals with the opportunity to develop lifelong friendships, maintain an independent and healthy lifestyle, gain crucial skills for work and life, and integrate with the community. We provide job opportunities through our work programs supporting community employers as well as employment in our entrepreneurial community of ACRES Artisans. Our aquaponics greenhouse is our latest employment opportunity. We are an OVR PETS Provider as well as Supported Employment. We also are a provider for the Autism Waiver.
Biggest challenge this year: We have not been able to be active in the community as much as we would like. We usually have more activities at ACRES, but that has been limited due to COVID restrictions. Our revenue has suffered.
Top need this holiday season: Our top need is to provide more job opportunities for adults. We usually have a reserve which we draw from to employ more adults and provide them with the opportunity to work in the community with a job coach. Due to COVID, our funding for this program has been diminished.
How else to help: We always welcome volunteers to help in the greenhouse. We would like to work on our sensory garden in the spring and connect it by a sensory walkway to the greenhouse. Volunteers are always welcome to help with our soap making and helping out at craft shows.
Contact: theacresproject@gmail.com
The Arc of Centre County
171 Technology Blvd, Suite 400, Boalsburg
Website: taocc.org
Social media: Facebook; Instagram
Serving the community: The Arc provides programming to persons with intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities and autism. Our programs actively support inclusion, community engagement, character development and personal growth.
Biggest challenge this year: Recruiting and retaining DSPs and nurses to help carry out our mission has been our biggest challenge this year.
Top need this holiday season: Contributions from our community are The Arc’s biggest need this holiday season, to help our agency carry out our mission!
How else to help: Please check out our “12 Ways of Giving” fundraiser this holiday season for ALL the many different ways to contribute to The Arc of Centre County! We are celebrating giving in ALL different ways and show how everyone has something to give — whether it’s monetary, time, talent or a simple act of kindness.
Contact: bwaltz@taocc.org
Bob Perks Cancer Assistance Fund
Website: www.bobperksfund.org
Social media: Facebook
Serving the community: The Bob Perks Cancer Assistance Fund helps ease the financial burden of individuals and families battling cancer in Blair, Centre, Clearfield, Huntingdon, Juniata and Mifflin counties. Using donated dollars, the Bob Perks Fund pays for basic necessities such as rent, utilities, food, gas, and more so they may worry less about finances and focus on treatment and recovery.
Biggest challenge this year: Proceeds from our fundraising events are a primary source of funding cancer patient living expenses. Because of the pandemic, most of our events were either canceled or postponed, however, cancer patient applications continue to be reviewed and approved.
Top need this holiday season: Financial donations are key to support our vital mission. Donations support local cancer patients to help pay living expenses such as fuel to heat homes, rent to prevent eviction, groceries to feed families and gas and auto expenses to travel to cancer treatments.
How else to help: Volunteers are always needed to assist with our fundraising efforts.
Contact: 814-231-2692
Centre County PAWS
1401 Trout Road, State College
Website: www.centrecountypaws.org
Social media: Facebook; Instagram; Twitter
Serving the community: We promote animal welfare and safety with compassion through adoption, sheltering, education and community assistance.
Biggest challenge this year: Adoptions and foster families have decreased since people have gone back to work due to the pandemic.
Top need this holiday season: Dry cat food for our Community Pet Pantry; holiday fosters.
How else to help: We are always in need of paper towels and HE laundry detergent
Contact: mail@centrecountypaws.org
Centre Safe
140 W. Nittany Ave., State College
Website: centresafe.org
Social media: Facebook; Twitter; Instagram
Serving the community: We provide services to survivors of domestic, dating and sexual violence and stalking. And we work with community partners to eliminate violence before it starts.
Biggest challenge this year: The economic situation of many of our clients has been made much worse by the pandemic. Loss of jobs, housing and financial resources generally has made people much more vulnerable.
Top need this holiday season: $25 grocery, gas and gift cards for survivors.
How else to help: Our “wish list” is on our website, but in addition to gift cards, we can always use new cleaning supplies and personal hygiene products for women and men.
Contact: 814-238-7066
Centre Volunteers in Medicine
2520 Green Tech Drive, Suite D, State College
Website: cvim.net
Social media: Facebook; Instagram; LinkedIn; Twitter
Serving the community: Centre Volunteers in Medicine (CVIM) provides free quality health and dental care to those living or working in Centre County who have low income or are without insurance. On top of the normal services provided, CVIM has provided over 34,000 COVID-19 vaccines to our community over the past year.
Biggest challenge this year: The COVID-19 pandemic has been our biggest challenge this past year. Since individuals in the county are losing jobs and health insurance due to the pandemic, demand for our services is higher than before. Another challenge we are facing is the continuation of providing vaccines and the ever-changing guideline the Department of Health releases to the public.
Top need this holiday season: Items: White copy paper; 33 gallon trash can liners; toilet paper; Clorox wipes; dishwasher detergent; paper towels; napkins; tissues; sandwich/quart/gallon bags; Post-It sticky notes; black/blue/red ink pens; postage stamps; 3 inch binders
Gift cards from: Lowe’s or Home Depot; Staples; Wegmans; Amazon; Walmart; Weis; Giant
How else to help: The easiest and fastest way to help Centre Volunteers in Medicine is by donating to our organization. Every dollar we receive generates $3 of care to our patients. Other ways you can help the uninsured in Centre County is volunteering with us. We offer clinical and non-clinical volunteer roles.
Contact: 814-231-4043; cvim@cvim.net
CommonFood Inc
3086 Stonebridge Drive, State Colleg
Website: commonfoodcentrecounty.com
Social media: Facebook
Serving the community: CommonFood still operates with a 100% volunteer staff and with volunteers who help pack food for distribution on the third Saturday of each month. In 2020 we distributed over 200,000 pounds of food to our community.
Biggest challenge this year: Working through the issues of social distancing during COVID mandates and the increase in food prices that we’re currently experiencing.
Top need this holiday season: Funding that will help with food purchases that are nutritional for the families we serve each month.
How else to help: Our packing and volunteer schedule is already filled through most of 2022.
Contact: commonfoodpa@gmail.com
The Community Cafe at St. Andrew’s
208 West Foster St., State College
Website: standrewsc.org
Social media: Facebook
Serving the community: We serve 200 to 225 free meals each Thursday from 5-7 p.m. to any member of the community regardless of need. Meal consists of soup, salad, protein, vegetable and starch.
Biggest challenge this year: The number of meals served each week has increased from average of 130-150 to 200-225. Quantities of food needed has therefore increased.
Top need this holiday season: Fresh broccoli, cauliflower, and green beans delivered to St. Andrew’s on any Wednesday or Thursday.
How else to help: Monetary donations are always appreciated and are used to buy needed groceries, supplies and equipment.
Contact: rrovansek@pacewater.com
Discovery Space
1224 N. Atherton St., State College
Website: discoveryspace.org
Social media: Facebook; Instagram; Twitter
Serving the community: Discovery Space engages children and families in STEM learning activities and camps at the science center, and, provides classes and tools to artists and entrepreneurs at the makerspace, The Rivet. Our goal is to spark lifelong curiosity and creativity!
Biggest challenge this year: We thrive on getting groups of children together to experiment and explore our exhibit gallery and scientific phenomena in a hands-on way. Due to COVID, we had to transition programs to be virtual. While it wasn’t impossible to do science this way, it was definitely not as much fun for the kids!
Top need this holiday season: Help us remind children how much fun it is to learn science! Discovery Space is in need of monetary donations toward the purchase/refurbishment of hands-on exhibits or donated time from skilled woodworkers/fabricators to build with donated materials. Many of our exhibits are well-loved and in need of a face-lift. Others need a complete refurbishment. We have seen the joy on children’s faces as they explore our exhibit gallery with their parents and grandparents and want to continue to help them create new memories together!
How else to help: Purchase a gift membership for a family who would enjoy our exhibits and programs, or, sponsor camps so that we can provide free and discounted registration to children who might not be able to attend otherwise.
Contact: 814-234-0200 x275; Michele@DiscoverySpace.org
The Dyslexia Reading Center of Central PA
St. Paul Lutheran Church, 277 W. Pine Grove Road, Pine Grove Mills
Website: dyslexiareadingcenter.org
Social media: Facebook; Instagram
Serving the community: 1. Our certified tutors provide individual reading and writing instruction twice weekly during the school year to students with dyslexia or other language based learning disabilities, using research tested methods of instruction. 2. We also provide advocacy services for families requesting help obtaining appropriate educational services for their children. 3. We also seek to educate the general public about the nature of dyslexia and the need for more effective instructional methods for students with dyslexia in public education.
Biggest challenge this year: Switching to online instruction has been the biggest challenge for both students and tutors. It has required additional equipment, tutor training and online teaching materials with limited financial resources. At the same time, live fundraising events had to be modified or canceled.
Top need this holiday season: Dedicated funds for financial assistance for applicants with financial need. Due to decreased revenue during the past year, we were unable to offer aid to students.
How else to help: We welcome volunteers at our fundraising events, usually 2-3 times per year.
Contact: pam@dyslexiareadingcenter.org
The Ethel Beaver Fund
420 Holmes St., Bellefonte
Website: centrecountypa.gov/325/Ethel-Beaver-Fund
Serving the community: Support for unmet needs of Centre County foster children and foster families.
Biggest challenge this year: Raising funds to support children’s and families’ needs not paid by government.
Top need this holiday season: Cash donations for holiday gifts for foster children.
How else to help: Become foster parents.
Contact: 814-360-0536
FaithCentre
110 W High St, Bellefonte
Website: www.faithcentre.info
Serving the community: Food bank, Pet Food Pantry, clothing voucher program, emergency financial assistance
Biggest challenge this year: The supply-chain issues have created difficulty (if not impossibility) in securing bulk purchases for distribution at the food bank. We are, essentially, paying retail price for non-donated food. Ensuring that our food bank and Pet Food Pantry remains well stocked as we enter a winter of inflation rates not seen since 1982 is our greatest challenge at the moment.
Top need this holiday season: Canned goods, dog and cat food, non-perishable food items, financial donations, or gift cards to grocery stores.
How else to help: Volunteering at either our thrift store or food bank. We always need help and FaithCentre is a warm, fun and friendly place to spend some time.
Contact: 814-355-0880, nsummers@faithcentre.info
Fonda’s Foundlings
1956 Norwood Lane, State College
Website: www.petfinder.com/member/us/pa/state-college/fondas-foundlings-pa402/
Social media: Facebook
Serving the community: Rescue homeless cats and advise people with problems of their own cats.
Biggest challenge this year: Getting volunteers to help and finding canned cat food.
Top need this holiday season: Donations for food, litter and medical expenses
How else to help: Volunteers mornings to help with the cats (10 a.m.-noon)
Contact: 814-238-4758
Hands On Therapeutic Riding Program
880 Smith Road, Port Matilda
Website: www.handsontr.com
Social media: Facebook; Instagram
Serving the community: We provide equine assisted therapy to children and adults with physical, mental and emotional disabilities. Some of the benefits of equine therapy are: relaxation of tight or spastic muscles, improved balance and coordination, enhanced self-awareness, increased independence, increased self-confidence and increased attention span. Hands On has been serving Centre County since 1997 and hope to continue with community support.
Biggest challenge this year: We made the decision to cancel our 2021 spring and fall group programs due to COVID health risks for our riders. Since a significant number of our riders were either to young for a vaccination or are immune compromised we felt that a group setting was too risky. This decision resulted in a significant revenue loss.
Top need this holiday season: Monetary donations to offset our revenue losses. All donations go to the care of our horses; veterinary, feed, farrier and supplies.
How else to help: We are an all-volunteer program so we need help with caring for the horses, keeping the bridles and saddles clean, and barn work.
Contact: 814-692-8637
Housing Transitions
217 E Nittany Ave., State College
Website: housingtransitions.org
Social media: Facebook; Instagram; Twitter
Serving the community: We assist people who are experiencing homelessness or at risk for homelessness with shelter, and programs for permanent housing solutions. Our Centre House Shelter is open 24/7 and available for men, women and children with their families.
Biggest challenge this year: An increase in demand for services and our staff working hard to meet it. Also, we have not able to hold the in-person fundraising activities we had hoped to hold.
Top need this holiday season: Donations, gift cards for clients
How else to help: Cook a meal and bring to shelter so residents have a home cooked meal.
Contact: 814-237-4863
Interfaith Human Services
251 Easterly Parkway, Suite 200, State College
Website: www.interfaithhumanservices.org
Social media: Facebook; Instagram; Twitter
Serving the community: Centre County Fuel Bank, money management for people with MH/ID disabilities, free used furniture and appliances to low income households
Biggest challenge this year: The inability to meet clients in person as we used to
Top need this holiday season: Financial support
How else to help: Office volunteers
Contact: 814-234-7731; info@interfaithhumanservices.org
Mid-State Literacy Council, Inc.
248 E. Calder Way, Suite 307, State College
Website: mid-stateliteracycouncil.org
Social media: Facebook; Instagram; Twitter; YouTube
Serving the community: We provide life-saving instruction teaching reading, math, writing, English, computer and health literacy to adults in Clearfield and Centre counties. Trained volunteers tutor one-to-one and teach small classes accessible mornings, afternoons and evenings. Our dream is that no one lacks literacy so that everyone can experience a life of safety with realized goals. Literacy gains support economic development. Literate parents nurture literacy for their children.
Biggest challenge this year: Helping adults learn technology skills to access tutoring online
Top need this holiday season: Financial gifts to purchase instructional materials and reading assessments
How else to help: Volunteer on a committee or invest in Mid-State Literacy Council to provide adult education.
Contact: 814-238-1809; mslc@mid-stateliteracycouncil.org
Nittany Performing Arts Centre
Website: www.nittanypac.org
Social media: www.facebook.com/NittanyPAC
Serving the community: We are creating a performing arts center, easily accessible for audiences in Centre County, with optimal acoustics and an exhilarating atmosphere. The center will serve as a venue and education center for the community’s performing arts including music, dance, and theater.
Biggest challenge this year: Webb Management and Wilson Butler Architects (WBA) were retained in January 2021 but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, plans to start the study were put on hold. Six months later, in July 2021, Webb and WBA commenced the study, which is continuing.
Top need this holiday season: Grants from Happy Valley Adventure Bureau and State College Borough along with contributions from more than 200 individuals and businesses have helped to launch our program. We are in need of further funding to complete the study and move to the process of site selection.
How else to help: We will be needing office space and volunteers to help with marketing and e-marketing, fundraising and event planning to make community connections.
Contact: info@nittanypac.org
Penns Valley Conservation Association
Website: pennsvalley.net
Social media: Facebook
Serving the community: PVCA protects Penns Valley’s water, land and forest, and promotes the well-being of our rural community and economy. We excel in watershed conservation and environmental education. Recently, the governor has awarded our stream restoration work; and community members have recognized us for educating students in the Penns Valley and State College school districts.
Biggest challenge this year: Workflow and communication changes within our organization due to the pandemic and turnover of key leadership positions from 2020 to 2021.
Top need this holiday season: We are working to increase the speed, effectiveness and scope of our work by building stronger, healthy teams. In order to multiply our effort in 2022 we have need for part-time work in grants administration, bookkeeping, communications and fund development. We currently lack the funding for this needed administrative team in 2022 — $15,000-$20,000 would provide a team for us to launch our new work culture and strategic plan.
How else to help: Anyone who has conservation interest in landowner education can participate in our spring 2022 landowner education field days. Either as an educator or participant. We also are in need of volunteers for our young forest planting, and stream bank cleanup, which will take place in the spring.
Contact: mike.shepski@pennsvalley.net
State College Area School District Education Foundation
240 Villa Crest Drive, State College
Website: scasdfoundation.org
Social media: Facebook
Serving the community: The Education Foundation provides fund for projects, materials, experiences and other benefits for students in the SCASD that are not covered by the district budget. The foundation also established the Mental Health Matters fund to provide resources dedicated to student mental health and well-being.
Biggest challenge this year: Helping schools meet increased demand for services that address student mental health and well-being following several years of significant disruptions caused by the pandemic.
Top need this holiday season: Contributions to the Mental Health Matters fund, which impacts students through a variety of programs and initiatives and access to direct support, and also provides emergency support to families in the district.
How else to help: Learn about the Education Foundation and its impact on students in K-12 and become a champion for its work.
Contact: paul@scasdfoundation.org
State College Choral Society
Website: www.scchoralsociety.org
Social media sites: Facebook; Instagram
Serving the community: The State College Choral Society has been a staple in our region for over 72 years adding to the rich and vibrant arts offerings that feed the musical soul of our community. Our choir is comprised of 120 volunteer members from all over Central Pennsylvania meets weekly to rehearse for three to five season public concerts annually. Our members range in age from 18 to 80+, with representation across the age spectrum in both the men’s and women’s voice parts. A highlight of our annual musical season for the past six years is our free gift to the community — our Christmas with the Choral Society concert. We have a tradition of collaborating with elementary, middle and high school students from the region for this concert. Our goal has been to provide a holiday music event for families with young children that will become an annual tradition. We have also encouraged audience members to remember those in need by bringing donations for the local food bank in lieu of buying a concert ticket. Over the past six years, we have collected over 4500 pounds of food items and over $8000 in donations for the food bank.
Biggest challenge this year: During these unprecedented times of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is remarkable how many have turned to music to sustain them through this marathon of uncertainty. For choral musicians, this time of quarantine, masking and social distancing has forced us to suspend our regular activities since March of 2020 to prevent any “super-spreader event.” We hope to sustain our organization through these difficult times so when we can safely make music again, our organization is still here to continue its legacy in our community.
Top need this holiday season: Financial contributions
How else to help: When we finally can safely perform live in-person concerts again, we hope our audience will come out in great numbers to support us.
Contact: 814-404-9223; info@scchoralsociety.org
State College Food Bank
1321 S. Atherton St., State College
Website: scfoodbank.org
Social media: Facebook
Serving the community: We provide food security, directly and indirectly, throughout Centre County.
Biggest challenge this year: Sourcing food continues to be a challenge for us. It is very helpful when people bring us items off our Current Needs List that can be found on our website, scfoodbank.org. Every donation, large or small, helps.
Top need this holiday season: Our top needs can be found on our Current Needs List (scfoodbank.org)
How else to help: If you or someone you know needs help with food, please have them call the Food Bank at 814-234-2310, option 4, so we can determine the best way to assist them.
Contact: 814-234-2310
This story was originally published November 30, 2021 at 5:00 AM.