How to Lend a Helping Hand

The work we do at SOS depends upon the individuals--our friends and neighbors in Washtenaw County--who decide to take the step of investing in our community. We thank you for your contributions and commitment. To donate, please contact us as listed below.

Give a Monetary Gift (Year-Round)
Provide direct financial support for SOS programs. Checks can be made payable to SOS Community Services. For more information, please contact Ellen at 734.961.1207 or elleno@soscs.org .

Make an In-Kind Donation (Year-Round)
Donations of new and gently used items on our wish list are welcome.

Donations of food and personal care items can be dropped off at our Housing Crisis Center (114 North River Street, Ypsilanti, MI 48198, M-F 9-5, 734.484.4300). 

Donations of back-to-school supplies are accepted from the end of July until the middle of August.  For information on what to donate and where to drop it off, please view our back-to-school wishlist (PDF).

For information on where to drop off other types of donations, please view our wish list or contact Brenda 734.484.9905 or brendab@soscs.org or call our main number at 734.485.8730..

Adopt An Apartment (Year-Round)
Support homeless families and children residing at the SOS Prospect Place Family Shelter or participating in the SOS Transitional Housing program. When homeless families move into temporary shelter or transitional housing, they often find themselves living in an empty apartment, without beds to sleep on, dishes and utensils to eat with, or a place to sit and do homework. Using community donations, SOS provides these and other items to the families with whom we work. Upon their move to permanent or transitional housing, families keep these household items as a means to start life in their new homes. For information, contact Brenda at 734.484.9905 or brendab@soscs.org .

Collect New School Supplies (July - August)
Organize a Back-To-School Drive to collect new school supplies for distribution to homeless children participating in SOS programs. Community members also organize drives for other items as well. For information on what to donate and where to drop it off, please view our back-to-school wishlist (PDF).  For more information, please contact Brenda at 734.484.9905 or brendab@soscs.org .

Hold a Benefit Day (Year-Round)
Help SOS raise funds to assist homeless families by donating a portion of your businesss sales/profits from any given day. For more information, please contact Nancy at 734.961.1204 or nancys@soscs.org .

Host a Drop Box (Year-Round)
Our on-site drop boxes are available for organizations, offices, and businesses that wish to collect a large amount of items for donation to consumers participating in all SOS programs. Boxes can be targeted for infant needs, personal care items, housewares, and non-perishable foods. During the winter holiday season, SOS volunteers will deliver a drop box and wish list to your site upon request and collect items when the box is filled. Boxes are also available for year-round collections. For information about hosting a Drop Box, contact Brenda at 734.484.9905 or brendab@soscs.org .

Adopt A Family (October - December)
During the winter holiday season, donors are matched with one or more family/families participating in SOS programs. Matches are made according to the donors ability to give and the size of the family. Families include both single- and dual-parent households. Each family creates a wish list of items that is given to the donor. The suggested range for gifts is $30-$50 per family member. For more information about this option, please contact Brenda at 734.484.9905 or brendab@soscs.org

Send a Mother's Day Card (April 27)
Celebrate the Special Women in your life! This Mother's Day, show Mom how much you care by donating to SOS in her honor. When you send in your donation, we will send that special woman a Mother's Day Card. For an online form click on the Mother's Day link on our home page. We will send an acknowledgement either to you (for memorials) or to the person you designate (for honorees). For more information, please contact Nancy at 734.961.1204 or nancys@soscs.org .