5 Nonprofits Near East Hampton To Support This Season

EAST HAMPTON, NY — If you’re like many of your neighbors in East Hampton, you may spend a good part of the holiday season with your credit card in hand buying gifts for family and friends. Coming up soon is a chance to give back to the local community.

Giving Tuesday, which in 2024 falls on Dec. 3, is a day dedicated to supporting nonprofit and community groups. Since 2012, nonprofits worldwide have used the Tuesday after Thanksgiving to galvanize fundraising, rally volunteers and add momentum to their causes.

Maintaining funding is a constant challenge for many nonprofits that fill gaps and meet other needs in the East Hampton area.

Here are five local nonprofits to consider getting behind on Giving Tuesday:

1. The Retreat: The Retreat's services include a domestic abuse crisis hotline, individual and group counseling, legal advocacy, a residential emergency shelter, and violence prevention and education programs. All services are free and confidential.

2. Project MOST: Project MOST offers year-round extracurricular enrichment programs for children and families of the East End Community.

3. East Hampton Food Pantry: The East Hampton Food Pantry opened in 1989. From the basement at the Senior Center to wherever the group could serve the hungry, volunteers helped fight food insecurity. The number of households seeking the pantry's services rose from 2,180 in 1989 to 15,661 in 2010 and have increaed every year. Numbers rise and fall, annually, but over time, the need for food continues to increase and the East Hampton Food Pantry remains active and essential to the community, especially seniors and especially during Thanksgiving and Christmas week.

4. Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons: The Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons actively rescues cats and dogs, provides quality care and offers sanctuary until loving homes can be found. ARF’s work with animals, within the community and throughout the organization is guided by three core values: compassion, integrity and dedication, the group said.

5. Maureen's Haven: Maureen’s Haven Homeless Outreach is dedicated to supporting the homeless on the East End of Long Island. "We offer supportive services, programs, and access to case management, and our guests can enjoy a meal, get clothes, and have access to basic needs at our day center year-round. We also provide a safe, warm temporary shelter to homeless individuals, from November through April, utilizing volunteer houses of worship and congregation volunteers. The host facilities and supporting organizations provide much more than a place to sleep and a nutritious meal. They provide support through embracing the values of human dignity, respect, service, compassion, teamwork, diversity, and love," the group says.