Spirit of Giving: 10 Nonprofits to Support in Worcester

WORCESTER, MA—It's easy to find a charity. Swing a stick and you'll hit some organization, somewhere, raising money for some cause. But many want to keep it truly local, and help the neighbors around you or the charities that operate right in your community.

The season of giving is upon us. After we smash into people with our carts and knock everyone over at the retail stores for Black Friday, and sit online grabbing red hot deals on Cyber Monday, we turn our thoughts to #GivingTuesday.

Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season on Nov. 28. Since its inaugural year in 2012, #GivingTuesday has become a movement that celebrates and supports giving and philanthropy with events throughout the year and a growing catalog of resources, said the organization.

Here is a list of five nonprofit organizations operating or helping in Worcester. Learn more about them.

1. Rachel's Table: a food rescue program for the hungry of Worcester. Rachel's Table is a volunteer-based group that transports unserved and unsold prepared and perishable foods that otherwise would be wasted. This "excess" food is distributed to 35 shelters, soup kitchens and neighborhood pantries that serve our needy neighbors.
2. Veterans Inc: a national leader in ending homelessness among veterans. We have one of the highest rates in the nation – 85 percent – for transitioning veterans out of homelessness. A 501(c)3 nonprofit headquartered in Massachusetts, Veterans Inc. is the largest provider of support services to veterans and their families in New England. Since 1990, the organization has helped more than 60,000 veterans in need and today operates offices and programs in all six New England states.
3. Regional Environmental Council: REC is a grassroots environmental justice organization located in Worcester, Massachusetts--New England's second largest city. Founded in 1971, REC has been dedicated to building healthy, sustainable and just communities in Worcester and beyond for more than 40 years.
4. Worcester Animal Rescue League: a private, nonprofit organization that receives no government funding. The costs to care for animals, provide medical attention and medicine, feed, shelter, spay and neuter, and prepare for adoption far outweighs what it takes in for fees. The animals depend on the heartfelt outpouring of people like you who have decided that they want to live in a community where every living being matters.
5. The Bridge of Central Massachusetts:The Bridge provides evidence-based, compassionate services for people of all ages with mental health challenges, developmental disabilities, acquired brain injury and complex family problems.
6. Seven Hills Foundation: The mission of Seven Hills Foundation is to promote and encourage the empowerment of people with significant challenges so that each may pursue their highest possible degree of personal well-being and independence.
7. Friendly House: Friendly House was funded "for the educational, social and family betterment of residents of the City of Worcester." Friendly House/Settlement House (multi-service center) works with entire families both nuclear and extended, as an integrating force for the families and the Neighborhood(s) it serves. Friendly House provides a continuum of comprehensive coordinated neighborhood basic services to inner-city families.
8. Why Me: Why Me was started in 1985 by 13-year-old Sherry Shepherd during her four year battle with cancer. In the last months of her life, Sherry became determined to do something that would have a lasting value in the community to help children with cancer. With the help of her dad, she founded the nonprofit organization WHY ME, which stands for Worcester Help for Youth, Memories Everlasting.
9. Worcester County Food Bank: Worcester County Food Bank (WCFB) is the region's leading anti-hunger organization distributing more than 5 million pounds of donated food and grocery product in partnership with food donors, financial supporters, and volunteers. WCFB provides this product to a network of 131 Partner Agencies that have programs for feeding people including food pantries, community meal sites, and shelters.
10. CENTRO: Established in 1977, CENTRO, formerly Centro Las Americas, is the largest minority led, community based, multiservice, multicultural, multilingual, nonprofit organization in Central Massachusetts. CENTRO's primary purpose is to assist individuals and families striving to reach self-sufficiency while promoting social responsibility, fostering cultural identity, and encouraging families to be significant contributors to the community as a whole.

What nonprofit do you support? Tell us about it in the comments section.

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