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Wish List - Material Needs

Food Donations

The Boston Rescue Mission uses an enormous amount of food! Last year the Mission served more than 120,000 meals to those in need. 

Donating food is one of the easiest and most beneficial ways to help the Mission and those we serve. We accept food from individuals, restaurants, catering services, workplaces, and holiday drives organized by various groups and corporations.

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These items would be most helpful:

 

Aluminum Foil

Saran Wrap

Cooking oil

Mayonnaise

BBQ Sauce

Hot Sauce

Ketchup

White vinegar

Salad dressing

Sugar

Brown sugar

Salt

Paprika

Garlic Powder

Black Pepper

Adobo

Curry Powder

Butter

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Did you know that food providers that donate food to non-profit organizations in good faith are protected from liability? The Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Act was signed into federal law in 1990 and encourages the donation of food and grocery products to non-profit organizations for distribution to needy individuals.

 

Both perishable and non-perishable food items are useful and greatly appreciated. The Mission may be able to pick up the donation depending on the location, quantity and time of day. 

 

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Clothing

Due to limited storage space, we unfortunately are not able to accept regular clothing donations. We do accept these specific clothing items: socks, winter hats, winter gloves/mittens, and flip flops. We just don't have the space to take any other items. Instead, we serve our clients who are in need of clothing by referring them to nearby organizations that have clothing available. Organizations listed below are suggestions for donation sites. Each serves the poor and/or homeless of downtown and greater Boston: 

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St. Francis House
39 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02112
617-542-4211
Boston Rescue Mission clients are referred here for clothing needs

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Mission of Deeds
6 Chapin Ave
Reading MA 01867
info@missionofdeeds.org
781-944-9797 
List of acceptable donations

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Morgan Memorial Goodwill
1-888-828-GIVE

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Holiday and Non-Holiday Drives

Holiday Drives are a great way for an individual, group, church, or company to support the efforts of the Boston Rescue Mission from outside the Mission. The Holiday season is an excellent time to organize a drive because it is the "season of giving". We are extremely appreciative of everyone who chooses to offer their time and support during the holidays. We would also encourage you to consider a Non-Holiday drive as an opportunity to keep the spotlight on those who are in need all year round. 

 

If you are interested in starting a drive for the Mission, please keep in mind that due to limited space we are not able to accept most clothing, with the exception of winter hats, winter gloves, and socks. The most popular and familiar drive is for non-perishable food items and monetary contributions. For more information on how to partner with the Boston Rescue Mission by organizing a drive, please contact our gifts team at 617-338-9000 ext. 1211 or via email at info@brm.org.

Other items

The Boston Rescue Mission regularly accepts donations of food, winter accessories and monetary contributions. Due to lack of storage space we do not accept regular clothing or household furniture. For the names of organizations that allow donations of clothing and furniture, one of the organizations above may be a good resource. The Mission does have occasional need for other items and will keep an updated list of such items below.

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PLEASE for the safety of your donations, coordinate your dropoff with your Mission contact. It's unfortunate when donations are dropped off and the wrong people help themselves! Please contact Allison Kinyua at ‪(617) 446-3458‬ to make sure your donations are distributed properly.

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Current Needs:

  • *New white socks

  • *Men's underwear

  • *Flip flops for the shower

  • Twin bedding: sheets, pillow cases

  • Commercial grade coffee maker (please ask - we use  a specific model)

  • Commercial vacuum cleaners (please ask - we use  a specific model)

  • Cleaning supplies: Windex, Fantastic, 409, sponges etc...

  • Rubber gloves for cleaning and kitchen work

  • Hygiene products: deodorant, razors, shaving cream, toothbrushes, toothpaste, hair brushes

  • Towels

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Seasonal items:

  • *Winter hats, gloves, & mittens

  • Lawn and leaf bags (fall)

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*must be new items

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If you prefer to order online and have your gift shipped to the Mission, feel free to visit our Winter Items and Kitchen Items wish lists from smile.amazon.com, where a portion of dollars spent goes to the Mission also.

A Message to the Business Community

While the Boston Rescue Mission is an organization dedicated to providing those in need with the basic necessities of life, it is also a company that has the needs of most corporations. Many of the business assets (computer systems, office furniture, software, office supplies, telephone system, etc...) have been donated to the Mission by companies that have outgrown or updated their own systems. We can not guarantee that we will be able to utilize the office items you would like to donate, but we would certainly appreciate it if you would let us know what you might have available. Please contact Devinchy Fontilus at 617-338-9000, ext. 1209 or via email at dfontilus@brm.org to speak about donating such items.

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