There are many ways to donate items in-kind throughout the year to Independence House. We accept in-kind donations on an as-needed basis. Independence House distributes all in-kind donations to survivors of domestic and sexual violence and their children who are current clients and have financial restrictions.
Please refer to the list at the bottom of this page for items we are unable to accept. Please contact Donna Giberti, Director of Development and Marketing if you have questions about your in-kind donation. donnag@indhouse.net or 508-771-6507 x221.
Food Pantry
Independence House maintains a food pantry located at our Hyannis office (160 Bassett Lane) for the supplemental nutritional needs of our clients. We accept only unopened non-perishable food donations that are not expired or are before best-buy dates. We are unable to accept opened items, expired items, or items that have been damaged in any way.
Suggested Items
Specific needs change throughout the year. We post on our facebook page and in our bi-monthly newsletter for specific needs as they arise. (Please subscribe to our e-newsletter).
Some suggested items that are very helpful year-round include: diapers of all sizes, baby food items; food pantry items; gift cards for supermarkets, gas stations and retail outlets; seasonal and specialty items; feminine products; beauty products; and toiletries.
Back to School
Each August, Independence House holds an annual back-pack/back-to-school drive to ensure that participants of our child and teen programs as well as children of adult clients of Independence House start the school year with all of the essential items needed to support them for a successful school year. Items requested are new backpacks, lunch packs, and boxed school supplies such as pens, pencils, crayons, paper, binders, notebooks, erasers, pencil holders, high-school aged calculators, dividers, folders, etc. We ask that all school supply donations be dropped off at the Hyannis office by the second week of August each year.
Holiday Giving
In late fall, our Holiday Giving Program commences to ensure client families with financial restrictions are able to enjoy the seasonal fall and winter holidays with their children. Donations are accepted such as new unwrapped toys, gift cards, and holiday items. Monetary donations are also accepted towards holiday giving.
During the Thanksgiving season, Independence also welcomes frozen turkeys and components of a holiday meal including potatoes (fresh or boxed), stuffing mixes, cranberries/canned cranberries, vegetables/canned vegetables, sugar, flour, and dessert type cakes/pie/bread mixes.
Items we are unable to accept
Independence House does not have a storage facility and cannot accept some items. Additionally, all donations distributed to our clients are new and unused to protect clients from allergy reactions from donations that may have come from homes with pets.
- USED clothing. Because we are unable to accept used clothing, we ask that your used clothing donations be made into the Planet Aid bin that is located at the Mobil Station in Hyannis on Route 132 (next to Marylou’s Coffee). This Planet Aid bin is dedicated to support Independence House and generates quarterly payments by Planet Aid to Independence House that supports the Independence House food pantry.
- USED toys. We ask that your toy donations come during the holiday season during November and December during which time we help client families with gifts. There are times during the year that our Emergency Residence has a specific need for children’s toys and we send out a request for these items on our facebook page and newsletter.
- USED furniture. Independence House does not have storage facilities and does not normally have a need for used furniture. There may be times when a specific item is needed at which time a request will be posted on our facebook page and newsletter.
Questions?
If you are unsure whether we are able to accept an item you would like to donate, we encourage you to contact us to inquire. Please email donnag@indhouse.net or call 508-771-6507 x221 for donation inquiries.
