Caring at Christmas

Christmas ought to be filled with hope, but many parents on the near Eastside of Indianapolis cannot afford to provide even a basic Christmas for their children. At Shepherd Community Center, our Christmas programs provide the hope that is so desperately needed.

Christmas Gift Shop

Inner-city parents are able to shop for their families for free at Shepherd's Christmas Gift Shop.

A choice of gifts … as well as gloves, socks, underwear, hat and other necessary items … for each of their children. Gift wrap is part of the process and many volunteers help the parents.

Christmas Festival

Volunteers and staff are able to share their faith with the people of the inner-city, while enjoying entertainment, family photos, and activities for children of all ages.

Christmas Food Totes

It’s true: eight out of ten children in our neighborhood are not able to have two meals a day when school is out.

Our church partners fill more than eight hundred Food Totes with easily prepared foods, and providing them to the kids we serve.

Here’s how you can get involved this season 
Bring a new unwrapped age appropriate toy to the East Washington location at 4107 E. Washington Street.
Here are some gift suggestions, but not limited to: 

For All Ages
• Toys (no weapons or violent toys)
• Books
• Board Games
• Socks – boy/girl (all sizes)
• Packages of underwear – boy/girl (all sizes)
• Hats, scarves and gloves (all sizes)

Ages 13+
• Mp3’s
• Weight sets
• Gift Cards
• Sports jerseys & Team memorabilia
• Sports equipment
• Remote controlled cars
• Jewelry or Make-up Kits
• Bath and Body Works
• Flat Irons
• Cameras
• Room/Dorm Décor
• Pocket Video Games
• Men’s/Women’s Wallets
• Handbags
• Headphones
• Ipod speakers/docking stations

*Please drop off your donation by FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2011* 

During the 2010 Christmas season:
• we distributed 1,163 food totes.
• we served 500 people at our Christmas Festival.
• we gave away more than $50,000 worth of gifts. 
• more than 1,803 kids received Christmas gifts.