Donate

Since The Gray House opened its doors in 1984, support from individual donors and businesses has played a crucial role. The Gray House relies on the compassion and generosity of individuals and groups in the community for donations of funds, food, educational/office supplies and time. When you donate to The Gray House, you are investing in our mission and the lives of those we serve.

Please consider making a monetary donation online using PayPal or by sending a check made payable to 'The Gray House' to 22 Sheldon Street, Springfield, MA 01107.

Donate In-Kind

In-kind donations help us to reduce expenses and receive items that we would otherwise go without. In-kind donations can be dropped off Monday-Fridays 8:45am–4:00pm. To arrange drop off outside of those hours, please call us at 413-734-6696. Please do not leave items on our porch or outside of our door.

General Wish List

The Gray House can always use the below items as well as items from our Amazon Wish List. When purchasing from the Amazon wish list, please be sure to include a gift message to let us know who you are so we can thank you!

  • EXPO Whiteboard markers (colored chisel tip)
  • Clorox wipes
  • Copy paper
  • Plastic storage bins with lids (any size)
  • 13 gallon trash bags
  • Bona floor cleaner for laminate floor
  • Simple Green all purpose cleaner
  • Antibacterial hand soap
  • Napkins

The Market at Gray House

The Market accepts donations of unopened, unexpired, non-perishable food. Food items are in demand year-round. The Market serves an average of 80–120 households per week to families who rely on your food donations. We encourage the donation of healthy, nutritious, low sodium and high protein food items. We cannot accept food that has expired or containers that have been opened.

  • Diapers - greatest need are sizes 5 & 6, followed by sizes 2, 3, & 4.
  • Baby wipes
  • Baby formula & food
  • Cereal
  • Oatmeal
  • Rice
  • Pasta
  • Canned tomatoes and sauce
  • Canned fruits/vegetables
  • Soups and stews
  • Tuna/chicken (canned)
  • Peanut butter and jelly
  • Beans
  • Juice
  • Healthy snacks
  • Gluten free nonperishable groceries

Donate Winter Coats, Hats & Gloves

The Gray House accepts new or gently used and clean, warm winter coats, hats and gloves for adults and children. Our greatest need is for adult coats size L, XL or 2XL and youth sizes 12-18. You can also order from our Amazon List and have it delivered directly to us!

These can be dropped off during our normal business hours. Outside of this time, please call or email us in advance before dropping off any winter items. Please do not leave items on our porch or outside of our door.

Donate for Thanksgiving

In early November, The Gray House begins collecting Thanksgiving food which will be distributed to families in need to cook at home.

Smaller donations can be dropped off without reservation at The Gray House every Monday through Wednesday from 8:30am–3pm until November 15, 2024.

Due to limited storage, for larger food drives or perishable donations, please call 413-734-6696, ext. 3 to arrange a drop off time for Wednesday, November 20, from 12pm–4pm, Thursday, November 21, from 1pm-3pm, or Friday, November 22, from 9am–5pm.

Thanksgiving Items Needed:

  • Frozen turkeys
  • Gravy packets
  • Cranberry sauce
  • Instant potatoes
  • Knorr side dishes
  • Stuffing or rice
  • Pink/red/black beans
  • Cake mix & frosting
  • Pie crust & filling
  • Grocery store gift cards

In 2023, The Gray House provided 1,051 families with turkeys and all of the fixings thanks to our generous donors! Whether you want to donate one item or coordinate a food drive with your business, school, church or club, every donation makes a difference!

Donate for Christmas

The Gray House collects toys for children in our community through general toy drives and by asking donors to sign up to sponsor a child's wish list. In 2023, we provided gifts to over 1,000 children in the community with your support! Please email us if you are interested in hosting a toy drive or complete this form if would like to sponsor a child or family. We ask that all gifts be dropped off on Mondays-Wednesdays and Fridays between 9am–4pm, no later than Monday, 12/9/24.

Sponsor a Family or Child

The Gray House collects wish lists from families throughout our programs, as well as from our local family shelters and schools. We make sure that each child receives at least $50 worth of gifts. Based on this information, please let us know how many children you would like to adopt and we will match you with specific children or a family and give you their wish lists. Please fill out this form by 10/30 to sign up!

General Toy Drives

Miscellaneous new, unwrapped gifts are also needed for newborns to youth up to seventeen years old. Gifts from toy drives help us fill the wish lists of children who are not "adopted" by donors or youth who we don't receive specific wish list items for.

Amazon Christmas Wish List

Don't have time to shop and drop off items but want to participate? Add items from our Amazon wish list to your cart and they'll be delivered directly to us! Please be sure to include a gift message to let us know who you are so we can say thank you!

Of course, we also encourage people to shop locally at bookstores and toy stores in your community when shopping for items to donate!

Round Up Your Walmart.com Order

If you show at Walmart.com, you can round up your order total to support The Gray House!  We receive 100% of the amount rounded up. Follow these steps to get started:

walmart.com round up box

  1. Visit The Gray House's Walmart profile
  2. Log into your Walmart.com account or create one if you don't already have one.
  3. Click on 'Make this my preferred charity.' You only need to do this step one time.
  4. Each time you checkout on Walmart.com, during the checkout process and before you place your order, you will have the option to round up that order by checking the round up box.

Donations that Cannot be Accepted

Unfortunately, the Gray House is unable to take the following items. If you are unsure, please call 413-734-6696 before dropping a donation off.

  • Clothing (except for new coats in winter time)
  • Shoes
  • Stuffed animals
  • Used toys
  • Used books
  • Furniture - including mattresses and cribs
  • Electronics
  • VHS tapes
  • Car seats or other baby items
DONATE TODAY!

Thank you to our Major Funders

Annual Catholic Appeal
Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts
The City of Springfield's Community Development Block Grant
Beveridge Family Foundation
Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation