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5th Annual Catalyst Christmas aims to support 1,000 families across North Texas by providing food, clothing, and home essentials. If they meet their goal, this event will set a new record!

WHAT: The YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas is hosting its 5th Annual Catalyst Christmas. The initiative focuses on collecting and delivering food and essential goods to families in need, seniors with mobility challenges, and those facing transportation issues. 

According to Feeding Texas, 1 in 6 households experience food insecurity impacting children, seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, and working families in every Texas county.

Volunteers can register here.

ITEMS NEEDED:

• Non-perishable food: Box stuffing mix, box instant potatoes, rice (bag), box mac and cheese, canned green beans, corn, cranberry sauce, milk/cream, canned sweet potatoes (yams), canned pumpkin, hot cocoa, instant coffee 
• Spices: Cinnamon, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, paprika, and sage
• Holiday treats: Packaged or boxed/popcorn in the holiday tin can
• Toiletries: Feminine care products, shampoo, body wash, etc.
• Household essentials: Laundry detergent, hand soap, dish soap, toilet paper, cooking and eating utensils, batteries (AA & AAA) etc.
• Winter warmth items: Blankets, hats, socks, gloves, etc.
• Family board games

WHEN/WHERE: Saturday, December 14, 2024, from 9 AM to 1 PM at participating branches. 

YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas Serving Irving
Coppell Family YMCA 
Cross Timbers Family YMCA 
Frisco Family YMCA
Grand Prairie Family YMCA 
Lake Highlands Family YMCA
Moody Family YMCA
Moorland Family YMCA at Oak Cliff 
McKinney Family YMCA 
Plano Family YMCA 
Richardson Family YMCA
Semones Family YMCA 
T. Boone Pickens YMCA
White Rock YMCA

Y organizers are also looking for volunteers to help deliver goods to families in need. This includes seniors with mobility challenges, those with transportation issues, and communities that typically cannot make it to branch-based food and essential distribution facilities.

• REGISTRATION 
• Video
• (Pre-view opportunity) Friday, Dec. 13, volunteers will be packing gift boxes at Lake Highlands Family YMCA (from 9 am – 1pm, 8920 Stults Rd, Dallas, TX 75243) 
• Saturday, Dec. 14, volunteers will be delivering boxes to homes (from 9 am-1 pm, participating Y locations are listed below)

[Niquita Spearman, program coordinator, YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas]

“As a volunteer group, we’re teaching them at an early age the true meaning of giving back. and this is the season to give.”

[Niquita Spearman, program coordinator, YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas]

“We hope that they let the community that’s receiving these resources that they know that they’re caring about, that we care about them, the YMCA cares about them, that they have a safe space in the YMCA as a resource.”

The post YMCA OF METROPOLITAN DALLAS HOSTS 5TH ANNUAL CATALYST CHRISTMAS appeared first on Dallas Weekly.