The changing seasons and holidays bring an increased need for winter clothing, food, and material assistance for thousands of families in our local community. Agencies of Catholic Community Services come forward to provide help, but they need your support as well. As the year draws to a close, please consider donating material gifts in-kind to support Casa Alitas, Pio Decimo, CCS’s Community Living Program, and Community Outreach Program for the Deaf. Lists of most needed items are found below:

Casa Alitas

“The Casa Alitas Program serves migrant families who have left their home countries to escape violence and poverty. ICE or Border Patrol drops the families off at the Casa Alitas Welcome Center. We provide hospitality and humanitarian aid, medical services, short-term shelter and help to reunite with family members in the U.S. Families receive travel bags before they leave. Bags may include food, water, toiletries, hygiene items, diapers, or baby food. We also provide blankets and small toys for the children for the plane or bus ride.” Learn more.

Items needed:

• Grocery store and Costco/Walmart gift cards so we may purchase food, supplies, and other items 

Food for bus trips: 

• Snack food items such as granola bars, protein bars, dried fruit, nuts, trail mix (non-melting ingredients), beef sticks (wrapped) 
• Cereal cups 
• Bottled water 
• Gatorade 
• Pedialyte (not clear variety) 
• Juice pouches or boxes 
• Fruit cups 
• Applesauce (cups or pouches) 
• Fresh fruits (mandarins, oranges, apples, bananas, and grapes) 
• Baby formula (powdered or liquid) in travel sizes

Travel size toiletry items: 

• Toothpaste (travel size) and toothbrushes 
• Hair combs/brushes 
• Hair ties/bands 
• Deodorant 
• Chapstick/lip balm 
• Lotion 
• Nail clippers 

Miscellaneous items: 

• Shoelaces 
• Backpacks 
• Underwear (new) for men, women, and children (small/medium) 
• Sports bras for women 
• Socks (new) for men, women, and children (small/medium) 
• Tennis shoes for men, women, and children (small/medium) 
• T-shirts for men, women, and children in small/medium/large sizes 
• Men’s clothing in small/medium sizes 
• Women’s clothing in small/medium sizes 

Small toys for kids

• Matchbox cars
• Playing cards
• Small games (like Uno)
• Small dolls
• Beanie-baby sized stuffed animals 

Please bring donations to: 

Catholic Community Services
140 W. Speedway, Ste. 230 / Tucson, AZ 85705 Monday – Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm 

St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church
3809 E. 3rd Street / Tucson, AZ 85716 Monday – Thursday, 9:00am to 12:00pm 
 

Pio Decimo

“Pio Decimo Center helps individuals and families make lasting, positive change in their lives.
For our youngest community members, we provide childcare and early childhood education. At our Youth Center, teens find recreational activities, skill-building classes, and mentors. For families, we offer practical solutions to complex problems. Our programs help to reduce poverty, prevent homelessness, and encourage home ownership. And for seniors, we provide safe and affordable housing in active, caring communities.” Learn more.

Items Needed:

• Van for children's programs
• Landscaping materials for housing facility

Childcare & John Valenzuela Youth Center:

• Sports equipment
• Art supplies
• Legos
• Toys
• Volunteers to paint and touch up paint around building

Housing: 

• Diapers (all sizes) 
• Hygiene items: (soaps, shampoos, towels)
• Bedding
• Pots & pas
• Dishware 
• Volunteers to help with landscaping around the housing area

Senior Housing: 

• Small throw blankets 
• Adult/Seniors craft projects
• Small prizes for give aways at gatherings and meetings
• Volunteers to provide arts & crafts experiences

Migration and Refugee:

• Hygiene Items (soaps, shampoos, toothbrushes, toothpaste, towels)
• Bedding
• Pots & pans
• Dishware
• Volunteers to help resettle refugee families

Adopt a family for the holidays:

• Family board games
• Cookie decorating kits
• Hygiene items (soaps, shampoos, toothbrushes, toothpaste, towels)
• Household cleaning supplies

We are seeing a surge in food box requests. We expect those numbers to increase as children will be home over the holiday breaks. For the holidays, we are desperately needing family food boxes with the following items:

• Beans
• Rice
• Cereal
• Peanut butter & Jelly
• Vegetable cans
• Pasta & pasta sauce
• Small gift cards for fresh veggies and meat

Please bring donations to:

Pio Decimo Center
848 S. 7th Avenue / Tucson, AZ 85701

Other Programs

The Community Living Program has 34 individuals living with disabilities in group homes or assisted living arrangements; holiday meals, gift cards, and other items would be appreciated

Sr. Gabi Williams is working with 108 individuals in the Immigration and Citizenship programs with people who would be appreciative of gift cards and holiday food boxes.

Gift cards give the care-givers, parents, and family members that we help some sense of 'normalcy' during the holidays. Gift cards allow them to provide things that are needed most by those they care for, customize gifts to the wishes of those in their families, and allow them to share in the joy of giving.

We are appreciative of all the help from the community during the Christmas season. Gifts of clothing, toys, and food make a difference and bring joy to many of those we serve. Gift cards are especially appreciated because this means holiday gifts can be customized easily by for those in need.