Where to Give This Holiday Season in the Hamptons
In this season of giving, lend a hand to families in need both locally and globally. East End nonprofits and businesses are collecting donations of food, clothing, toys and more during the holidays and, in many cases, year round.
Call ahead to ensure staff or volunteers will be available to accept your donation. Items should never be left outside a pantry or shop, as they will be vulnerable to rain and theft. Clothing bins can be found at transfer stations, the Bridgehampton Commons and the Macy’s parking lot in Hampton Bays.
The Max Cure Foundation is seeking used sneaker and tennis shoes for the Dunk Your Kicks campaign. Drop off sneakers at Lululemon Athletica, 35 Main Street, East Hampton. Donations will be shipped to developing nations. Call 631-324-4192.
Toys for Tots is accepting donations through December 21. Drop-off locations include Page at 63 Main in Sag Harbor, Southampton Inn, Vineyard Vines and Uncle Bob’s Self Storage in Southampton Village, Matz-Rightway in Hampton Bays, Suffolk Theater in Riverhead, and Lexus of Southampton on County Road 39.
South Fork Natural History Museum is holding its inaugural holiday toy drive. Drop off new and gently used unwrapped toys for children, from infants through early teens, by the end of the day on December 19. The First Church of God in Christ, The Bridgehampton Child Care & Recreational Center, and the First Baptist Church of Bridgehampton will distribute the toys to children in the community. SoFo is located at 377 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike in Bridgehampton. Call 631-537-9735.
The Bridgehampton Food Pantry at St. Ann’s Episcopal Church, 24-63 Main Street, Bridgehampton, is open Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call 631-537-1527.
The Sag Harbor Community Food Pantry, in the basement of the Old Whalers Church, 44 Union Street, Sag Harbor, accepts donations of fresh and nonperishable food on Tuesdays. Call 631-725-0437 or email [email protected].
Human Resources of the Hamptons provides food, clothing, toiletries, toys, school supplies and more to families in need in Southampton. Call 631-283-6415 to arrange a drop-off. Human Resources is located at 168, Hill Street, Southampton.
The Retreat, a nonprofit that provides shelter and services to victims of domestic violence, operates a thrift store, named The Retreat Boutique, in the Bridgehampton Commons at 2102 Montauk Highway, Bridgehampton. The shop accepts donations of seasonal designer clothing, high-quality housewares, artwork, lamps and furniture. Books are limited to art books and coffee table size. Call 631-537-3845 to arrange a drop-off. The Retreat will come pick up furniture donations. Send a description and photos of the furniture to [email protected], and provide the pickup location. The Retreat also accepts baby and children’s items and gently used suitcases for the families it serves. Call 631-329-4398 to make a donation and to learn of other items on The Retreat’s wish list.
The East Hampton Food Pantry, 219-50 Accabonac Road, East Hampton, provides assistance to 250–300 local families each week. The pantry is open Tuesdays from 2 to 6 p.m. Call 631-324-2300 to arrange a donations. Make a monetary contribution at easthamptonfoodpantry.org.
The Hampton Bays Food Pantry at St. Rosalie’s Church, 31 East Montauk Highway, Hampton Bays, accepts nonperishable food items. Donations are accepted Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., expect Wednesdays, when the pantry closes at 1 p.m. Call 631-728-9461.
Southampton Hospital Thrift Shop, which raises money for the nonprofit hospital, accepts donations on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 40 West Main Street, Southampton Village. Call 631-204-0526.