Ways to Give

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, we are not offering any on-site volunteer opportunities until further notice. However, VIRTUAL VOLUNTEERING is a way for you to use your gifts, talents, creativity and passion for Lazarus House for the good of our Guests while we “Stay apart … so we can come together”. Actually, this way of serving Our Guests can continue long after we have COVID-19 in our rear view mirrors …

Note: Individual families that are not affiliated with a faith-based, business/commercial, or civic/community group should use one or more Individual Application forms, not the Group Application form.

There are as many ways to do this as there are people and ideas to make it happen. Here are just a few: Organize your own Porch Pick Up Food Drive in your neighborhood, spruce up gardens at our residential locations, lead a social media campaign to get the word out, Raffle Rallying, or create summer care packages for our youngest Guests. Partner with us to make your unique ideas of service to our Guests become a reality! We invite you to contact Marcy today.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Lazarus House.  There are many ways to become involved and our volunteers are truly valued in every way.  We work closely with our volunteers to match interest and skills with the various important tasks. Below are some of our ongoing volunteer opportunities:

SERVING BREAKFAST or LUNCH AT THE SOUP KITCHEN – this opportunity brings volunteers in direct contact with our guests at breakfast and lunch time. Must be over 16 yrs; if under 18 yrs must be accompanied by an adult.  This is primarily an opportunity for corporate, faith based or civic groups. Best for groups of 3-4 people.

BRINGING AND/OR  SERVING BREAKFAST AT THE SHELTER – another opportunity to interact directly with guests. Bring a prepared breakfast, prepare breakfast from ingredients you bring, or prepare breakfast with food from our pantry.  Anyone under 18 yrs must be accompanied by an adult. A wonderful opportunity for families, sport or school groups.

BRINGING AND/OR  SERVING DINNER AT THE SHELTER – another opportunity to interact directly with guests. Bring a prepared meal, prepare a meal from ingredients you bring, or prepare a meal from our pantry. Anyone under 18 yrs must be accompanied by an adult. A wonderful opportunity for families, sport or school groups

THRIFT STORES – Dedicated volunteers are needed to work 2.5 hour shifts (or more as your schedule may allow) on a regular basis in our Thrift Stores at 412 Hampshire Street or 229 South Union Street in Lawrence.  Be welcomed and trained as a valued team member in serving our Guests for whom we create the opportunity to shop in our clean well-organized and merchandised affordable thrift stores.   Click for more information and to sign up.

INDIVIDUAL SERVICE – individual volunteers serve daily throughout Lazarus House at our thrift stores, soup kitchen, food pantry, shelters, administration office, and as needed across the organization. We match individuals based on their skill set and availability. All are welcome.

A DAY OF SERVICE – coming together as a group to work on a specific project. Yard clean up, painting, sorting food in the food pantry, and participating in special events are a few of the popular group volunteer opportunities.

FOOD, CLOTHING, PAPER GOODS & PERSONAL HYGIENE DRIVES – holding a food, or other type of drive, on our behalf enables all to get involved and contribute. Lazarus House can help determine pressing needs and arrange a welcome and tour upon drop off. Pick ups are sometimes possible.

• Download flyer for clothing drive
• Download flyer for food drive
• Download flyer for personal care products drive

SEASONAL OPPORTUNITIES

DECORATING – holiday decorating at various Lazarus House locations.

BAKING – home baked goods are always appreciated, but most certainly around the holidays.

THANKSGIVING – assisting with food sorting and distribution of holiday meals

HOLIDAY GIFTS COLLECTION – coordinate holiday gifts collection for individuals and families living in Lazarus House residences.

PROJECT BETHLEHEM – “Adopt a family” and provide Christmas gift for all family members, and other opportunities to contribute to an extensive outreach that brings smiles to many faces.

GIFT WRAPPING – wrapping gifts to support community Giving Trees.

SPECIAL EVENTS – Volunteering at our annual fundraisers – Drive for Dignity Golf Tournament (August), Hike for Hope (September), Sharing Our Bounty Gala (November).  Sponsor a hole, donate auction items, organize a team to participate and fund raise!

For more information, please contact Marcy Furse at 978-269-5217 or Marcy@LazarusHouse.org

Inspired Initiatives Fundraising

Events and Fundraisers YOU create & run for the good of our Guests!

Infinite possibilities and ideas – use your own passions, network and experience to raise money for Lazarus House Ministries so we can continue to care for our Guests who are struggling with material poverty and homelessness. Use your gifts and talents to support our ministries: Food Pantry, Soup Kitchen, Emergency Family Shelter, Transitional Housing, Advocacy and support, financial and budgeting education, Sewing programs & Culinary Training.

Gift Purchasing Guidelines

Please follow the guidelines below to help us provide parity among the families we serve and to ensure the safety of our Volunteers and Staff:

• For the Household
  • One gift card (~$30-$50) for a household item (store preferences will be provided for all gift cards)
  • One or 2 new family games purchased and wrapped (family’s choices provided)
  • One $25 gift card to Market Basket
• For Each Child
  • One Clothing Gift card (~$30-$40)
  • Two to 3 new toys purchased and wrapped (child’s toy preferences provided)
• For Each Adult – parent(s), other adults > 18

• •  One Clothing Gift card per person (~$30-$40)

Wrap and tag toys, games and gift cards. Attach a Gift Inventory List to the bag. Further instructions will be provided when you receive your match(es) and drop off date.

Food

Our St. Martha Food Pantry has been distributing food to over 1100 families a week following new safety and COVID-19 protocols. In order to continue uninterrupted weekly food distributions to families through the Fall and winter, our Food Pantry will be unable to provide food for the holidays as in the past. Thank you for providing a gift card to Market Basket to help our families with food in December.

New Location and Contactless Gift Drop Off Procedures

1. Drop your family gifts off at 87 Summer Street, Lawrence
2. Pull into the driveway and up to the side door (where the ramp is).
3. Please wear a mask and stay in your vehicle.
4. Pop your trunk or unlock the doors so we can access the gifts.
5. Our Project Bethlehem Elves will record your name and your family’s ID # and collect the gifts from your vehicle.
6. You will exit the parking lot onto Haverhill Street.

Drop off Hours December 1^st  to 21^st , 2020

• Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays: 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
• Saturdays: 9 am – 5 pm

Please note: Our families will be coming to pick up their gifts on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays through December and from Dec 22^nd– 24^th.  Please deliver your gifts on the day provided in your family match email.

Drop off Location
87 Summer Street, Lawrence, MA
(978) 269-5284
projectbethlehem@lazarushouse.org

Please help us spread the joy of the holidays to families in need in our community!

Please click here to register to receive a family. If you are able to provide more than the suggested guidelines for the gift cards, thank you. If you are able to provide significantly more, please consider helping an additional family and indicate that in the space provided.

Note: If meeting the financial guidelines required to support a whole family is something you cannot do, then please consider providing a gift card or cash donation. Send gift cards to the attention of Monique Morimoto, Project Bethlehem, PO Box 408, Lawrence, MA 01842.

Click here to make a cash donation.