Needs

Needs

Vital to the success of our organization, in-kind donations keep costs down for our programs by providing basic needs items such as food, clothing, toiletries, cleaning supplies, bedding, and more.

Last year alone, The Light House distributed over:

180,000 lb of pantry items
82,000 healthy meals
Thousands of vital basic needs items including clothing, toiletries, sleeping bags, tents, and more.

Important Updates

LIGHT HOUSE SHINE STATION: Visit and donate at our SHINE Station at Annapolis Town Center
MEAL SERVICE or UNBAGGED LUNCHES: Please visit our Volunteer Page to learn more about our updated guidelines.
AMAZON WISHLIST: A few items are also available on our Amazon Wish List.

At this time, we are only able to accept the items outlined in the lists below.

Urgent Needs

DROP OFF GUIDELINES: The following Urgent Needs items can be delivered to our 10 Hudson Street, Annapolis location, Monday through Friday 9:00am – 7:00pm, or Saturday and Sunday 12:00pm – 5:00pm.

CLIENT CHOICE PANTRY

PLEASE NOTE: We DO NOT ACCEPT foods that are expired, in dented cans, or in opened packaging. We also prefer plastic containers to glass when possible.

Shelf Stable Proteins (peanut butter, canned beans, canned meats)
Cereal Bars/Granola Bars
Boxed cold cereals (sweetened preferred)
Canned Diced Tomatoes and Tomato Sauces
Long Grain White Rice
Pasta/Noodles (please no whole wheat)
Single Serve Condiment Packets: mayo (newly purchased only)
Small bottles of spices/seasonings (black pepper, garlic powder, Italian herb blend, chili powder, etc.)
Salt & Pepper (household sized)
White Granulated Sugar (boxes (1 or 2 lb) or packets)
Bottles of Cooking Oil (40 oz or smaller)
Instant Coffee (no decaf)
Bags of Chips/Pretzels (snack size only)

MEAL PROGRAM

PLEASE NOTE: We DO NOT ACCEPT foods that are expired, in dented cans, or in opened packaging. We also prefer plastic containers to glass when possible.

Ground Coffee
Creamer (dried or individual shelf stable)
Sandwich Crackers/Cookies (individual packs)
Milk (gallon)
Eggs
Shredded Cheese
Salt & Pepper Disposable Sets
White Granulated Sugar (preferably 5lbs and up)
Paper Napkins
20oz Paper Bowls (new/unopened) (Order online – ship to 10 Hudson St, Annapolis, MD 21401)
Paper Plates (new/unopened)
Disposable Hot Beverage Cups (new/unopened)
Sandwich size plastic storage bags (new/unopened)
Gallon size plastic freezer/storage bags (new/unopened)

OTHER URGENT NEEDS

Cases of Bottled Water
Laundry Detergent PODS
Sam’s Club Gift Cards
Gas Station Gift Cards: Shell, Exxon, Royal Farms, WAWA
NEW Standard Pillows
NEW Twin Sheets
NEW Twin Blankets
NEW Towels
NEW Shower Curtains
Twin Air Mattresses with pump (non-electric) (NEW or GENTLY USED)
Adult Backpacks (NEW or GENTLY USED)
NEW AAA Batteries
NEW/UNOPENED packs of men’s undershirts and underwear
Adult Sleeping Bags (NEW or GENTLY USED)
NEW Adult Tents
NEW Tarps
NEW Shaving Razors

2022 Holiday Gift Drive

Put a smile on our residents’ faces by donating a holiday stocking, children’s item, community client item, or gift card this holiday season!

Please note that sign-up is required to participate.

For more information and to sign up click here!

Thank you for your generosity and support!

FULL: 2022 Fall Holiday Meal Drive

Thanks to the love and support from our community, this opportunity is now full. We are grateful to everyone who is participating!

Please note that sign-up was required to participate and all sign-up slots are now full.

Back to School Drive

It is BACK TO SCHOOL TIME!

This year The Light House is requesting backpacks that include inside:

1 Children’s Book (any age)
1 note or card of encouragement for the 2023-2024 school year
1 $25 Target or Walmart Gift Card

Why are we changing the format this year? Let us explain:

We strive to provide every person who comes through our doors with the dignity of choice and now we are extending this opportunity to our youngest community members to let them choose the school supplies they would like for the year. By including a gift card with their backpack, you are giving them the opportunity to choose their own folders, binders, pencils, and more. We have also historically always allowed our children to choose the backpack that they would like and that tradition will continue again this year. Providing our youngest community members with the dignity of choice promotes empowerment and self-esteem as they prepare for their upcoming school year!

DROP OFF INSTRUCTIONS:

9am-5pm any day before Thursday, 08/24
The Light House – 10 Hudson St, Annapolis, MD 21401

SIGN-UP HERE!

Housewarming Kits

For many of our residents, moving into a new home with very limited resources can be a very stressful experience. You can help make the transition easier for our clients by providing the essential items they’ll need to begin this new chapter in their life. By donating Housewarming Kit items, you’ll provide valuable support to our residents on their journey towards healing and hope.

Check out our Housewarming Kit flyer to learn more!

Please coordinate with the Volunteer Department by emailing volunteers@annapolislighthouse.org before donating.

Clothing Needs

At this time, we are not accepting any donations of clothing items. Please check back regularly as our needs change each week. Thank you for your support!

PLEASE NOTE: We typically announce our winter clothing item needs in late October to early November and our summer clothing item needs in late May. Thank you for your support!

At this time, the only clothing items we can accept are those listed below as part of our Hello Summer Drive. See items and donation guidelines below or click here to view or download our flyer.

HELLO SUMMER WARM WEATHER CLOTHING NEEDS:

It’s time to change over Carol’s Community Closet as the weather turns warmer! We are in need of summer clothing for our most vulnerable neighbors.

Please drop off clothing at:

SHINE Station at Annapolis Town Center – 1915 Suite #145 Towne Centre Blvd, Annapolis (next to Warby Parker)
Wednesdays-Saturdays from 11am-3pm.

What are we accepting?

New or Gently Used

Shorts (Men’s and Women’s)
T-Shirts (Men’s and Women’s)
Belts (Men’s and Women’s)
Summer Athleisure Wear

DONATION PROCEDURES

All items should be clean, folded, and placed in bags.
Items listed above can also be dropped off at our 10 Hudson St location, Mon–Fri 9am–7pm, or Sat–Sun 12pm–5pm. If dropping off at 10 Hudson, please park in the designated “drop-off” zone at the front of the building, proceed to the front door, ring the doorbell and front desk staff will accept your donation.
At this time we are unable to accept any children’s clothing items.
If you have other clothing donations, please consider donating to other organizations in our area that can accept these donations.
Please remember to donate with dignity and refrain from donating torn, well worn or stained items.
We are only able to accept clothing items in the list above at the designated drop-off days/times.

At this time the only clothing related items we can accept are the shoes listed below as part of our Shoe Some Love Donation Drive. See items and donation guidelines below or click here to view or download our flyer.

SHOE SOME LOVE DONATION DRIVE:

For someone experiencing homelessness, simple tasks of getting something to eat, finding a place to use the restroom or a safe place to rest, can result in 1,000s of steps taken throughout the day. Through our “Shoe some love for your neighbor” drive, we hope to provide our neighbors with quality shoes as we enter the warmer months.

WHEN: February 1st – March 25th

Wednesdays–Saturday from 11:00am–3:00pm at our Light House SHINE Station.

WHERE: The Light House SHINE Station – 1915 Suite #145, Towne Centre Blvd, Annapolis

WHAT ARE WE ACCEPTING?

New or gently worn men’s and women’s athletic shoes/sneakers.

All adult sneaker sizes, styles, and brands.
No other types of shoes or clothing can be accepted.
Please spray any gently used shoes with disinfectant prior to donating and remember to donate with dignity!
Please tie each pair of shoes together.

At this time we are only able to collect clothing through our Share the Warmth Clothing Drive.

SHARE THE WARMTH CLOTHING DRIVE:
The Light House is providing hats, gloves, socks and other warm weather clothing items listed below to our community’s most vulnerable through Safe Harbour Resource Center and Carol’s Community Closet. See items and donation guidelines below or click here to view or download our flyer.

WHAT ARE WE ACCEPTING?
We are seeking donations of these items for men and women.

NEW
- Hats
- Waterproof Gloves
- Socks
NEW or GENTLY USED
- Winter Boots
- Hoodies
- Sweatpants
- Winter Leggings
- Fleece Pullovers

DONATION PROCEDURES

Items can be delivered:
- 11am-3pm Wednesdays-Saturdays
- Light House SHINE Station – 1915 Towne Centre Blvd STE 145, Annapolis, MD
Please do not leave items outside the doors
At this time we are unable to accept donations of sweaters, as hoodies and fleece pullovers are preferred by our community members.
At this time we are unable to accept donations of children’s items.
We are only able to accept the clothing items in the list above at the designated drop-off days/times.
If you have other clothing donations, please consider donating to other organizations in our area that can accept these donations.

We are in need of warm winter clothing to stock the closet for our most vulnerable neighbors.

DATES/TIMES FOR DROP-OFF:

Saturday, November 6th: 9am-3pm
Saturday, December 4th (CANCELED)

WHAT ARE WE ACCEPTING?

NEW Socks (Men’s and Women’s)
NEW Thermal Undergarments (Men’s and Women’s)
NEW Men’s Undershirts
NEW Hats (Men’s and Women’s)
NEW Weatherproof Gloves (Men’s and Women’s)

New or Gently Used:

Sweatpants (Men’s and Women’s)
Hoodies (Men’s and Women’s)
Winter Boots (Men’s and Women’s)
Winter Coats (Men’s and Women’s)
Jewelry

DONATION PROCEDURES:

All items should be clean and placed in bags.
Donations can be brought to the front door and donors can ring the doorbell to either bring the donations inside or leave the items by the front door where staff will retrieve them. (Please do not drop off clothing at Carol’s Closet.)
We are only able to accept the clothing items in the list above at the designated drop-off days/times.
At this time we are unable to accept any children’s clothing items.
If you have other clothing donations, please consider donating to other organizations in our area that can accept these donations.
Please remember to donate with dignity and refrain from donating torn, well worn or stained items.

Garden Produce

Do you love to garden and have extra produce? Donate your extra bounty to The Light House and help provide fresh food to our neighbors struggling with homelessness and food insecurity.

Check out our SHINE Garden flyer to learn more!

Please coordinate with the Volunteer Department by emailing volunteers@annapolislighthouse.org before donating.

Furniture and Other Goods

On occasion we can accept donations of furniture.

If you are interested in donating a furniture item, please email a photo and the dimensions of the item to info@annapolislighthouse.org and a staff member will get back to you if we are able to accept the item.

Please note:

We do not accept donations of mattress.
We are not able to provide pick up of any items.

For a list of other Anne Arundel County Partner Organizations that may accept donations we are unable to accept, click here.

For Questions About Donations, Please Contact

Other ways to support The Light House:

Donate Online

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