Support Refugee Families with

Essential Items

Your generosity helps turn empty apartments into warm, welcoming homes for newly arrived refugee families. By donating essential household items, you ensure that families have the basics they need as they begin their new lives. Please review our list of needed items and guidelines before donating to help us best serve our community.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

  • We do NOT have storage, so we can only accept items listed below.
  • We do NOT accept un-scheduled drop-offs or bulk donations.
  • We do NOT accept clothing, footwear, large appliances, used mattresses/box springs, electronics, hazardous materials, or items in poor condition.

ACCEPTABLE GENTLY USED ITEMS:

  • Furniture (couches, chairs, tables, dressers, lamps, etc.)
  • Bedding (Twin/Full only – sheets, blankets, etc.)
  • Kitchenware (pots, pans, eating utensils, place settings, serving dishes and utensils, mixing bowls, bakeware, manual can openers, etc.)
  • Kitchen towels/wash cloths
  • Area rugs
  • Umbrellas

NEW ITEMS NEEDED:

  • Pillows
  • Twin/Full Mattresses and Box Springs
  • Bath towels
  • Hygiene products (shampoo, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, personal hygiene items)
  • Shower curtains and liners
  • Dish soap & sponges
  • Cleaning kits (sponges, mops, brooms, dustpans, wastebaskets, trash bags, all-purpose cleaner, toilet bowl brush/cleaner)
  • Paper towels and toilet paper
  • Laundry detergent
  • Safety First! Home First Aid Kits

GIFT CARDS ($25, $50, $100+)

Used to purchase new household items and culturally appropriate staple food items.

  • Walmart
  • Target
  • Amazon
  • Visa gift cards
    Gift cards can be dropped off at the International Welcome Center during business hours, Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM.

SPONSOR KITS FOR RESETTLEMENT & PLACEMENT FAMILIES

Newly arrived families often come with little to nothing. You can make a lasting impact by sponsoring a kit. An average family size is five.

Your generosity makes a world of difference to families seeking safety and stability. Thank you for being a part of their journey!

Sponsor A Kitchen Kit

  • Tableware settings (fork/knife/spoon)
  • Place settings (plates/bowls/cups/glasses/coffee mugs)
  • Pots and pans (saucepan/large pot/frying pan/baking dish)
  • Mixing/serving bowls
  • Kitchen utensils (spatula/serving utensils/ladle/knives)
  • Can opener
  • Tall kitchen trash can
  • Dish towels
  • Dish rags/sponges (NEW ONLY)

Sponsor A Bathroom Kit

  • Bath towels (NEW ONLY)
  • Shower curtain and liner (NEW ONLY)
  • Toilet paper
  • Bathroom trash can

 

Sponsor A Bedroom Kit

  • Sets of sheets (twin or full size only)
  • Blankets (twin or full size only)
  • Pillows (NEW ONLY)

Sponsor A Cleaning Kit

  • Dish soap
  • Bathroom/Kitchen cleaner
  • Laundry detergent
  • Mop
  • Broom
  • Trash bags (tall kitchen and bathroom)

Sponsor A Hygiene Kit

  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste
  • Diapers (all sizes)
  • Baby wipes (fragrance-free/sensitive)
  • Feminine products (tampons, pads, panty liners)

Sponsor A First Aid Kit

  • All-purpose first aid kit
  • Adult ibuprofen
  • Children’s ibuprofen

Other Household Items

  • Paper, pens, pencils
  • Light bulbs
  • Paper towels

Support Refugee Families with Essential Items

Let us know what you’d like to donate by filling out the form below. Your generosity helps refugee families feel at home as they rebuild their lives in Greater Akron. Thank you for your kindness and support!