Give New Goods

New towels and washcloths, slippers and soap, underwear, toiletries, and bus passes, our guests desperately need them all.

 Our Most-Needed New Items

All donations can be shipped directly to the Mission or delivered straight to our Donation Drop-off on our main Norfolk campus. 

  • ⇒ A GREAT YEAR-ROUND COLLECTION DRIVE! GIFT CARDS: These help our guests with meals at work or away from the shelters, buying household goods for new apartments, purchasing necessary work clothing, etc.
    • Convenience stores/Gas stations (i.e., 7-Eleven, Wawa, Royal Farms)
    • Grocery stores (Food Lion, Kroger, Lidl, ALDI, Walmart Supercenter, Harris Teeter, etc.): $10, $20, or $25 increments
    • Fast-food restaurants: $10 increments
    • Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, Dollar General: $5 or $10 increments
    • Walmart or Target: $10 or $25 increments
  • HRT BUS PASSES: Our guests use these for job interviews, getting to work and back, transport to doctor visits, and travel for other appointments.
  • LUGGAGE: Many guests arrive with their clothing and goods in plastic bags. Luggage helps them organize their belongings and move more easily when they secure permanent housing.
    • ⇒ YEAR-ROUND NEED! Extra-large, large, and medium rolling suitcases, new preferred, but gently used also accepted. Small carry-on suitcases also helpful, but less useful than larger luggage.
    • CURRENTLY WELL STOCKED. Duffle bags, backpacks, sports/gym bags
  • ⇒ ALL ARE A YEAR-ROUND NEED! BED AND BATH LINENS: (white usually wisest since most linens are bleached regularly)
    • Washcloths: White / cotton or cotton-blend preferred
    • Bath towels: White / cotton or cotton-blend preferred
    • ⇒ CURRENT MEN’S SHELTER REQUEST! Twin XL blankets (90″+ x 66″), soft fleece or microfiber fleece (navy or gray preferred)
    • Twin or Twin XL sheets (flat): White preferred. Cotton percale, cotton-blend, or microfiber. (Quantity requested: 42)
    • Twin XL sheets (fitted), OR Twin XL sheet sets: White preferred. Cotton, cotton-blend, or microfiber
    • Pillowcases: White preferred. Cotton, cotton-blend, or microfiber
    • Pillow protectors (Standard, zippable, white preferred)
    • CURRENTLY OVERSTOCKED. Fleece or plush throws/lap blankets and snuggle wraps
  • WELLNESS SUPPLIES:
      • Nutritional protein shakes like Ensure, Boost, Glucerna, individually sealed bottles or cartons.
      • Tissue packs or boxes of tissues
      • Cold, flu, cough, and sinus relief medicines (pills, capsules, or non-alcoholic liquid)
      • HBP cold relief medicines: Cold and flu season is even more dangerous for our shelter guests with high blood pressure. Non-prescription medicines like Coricidin HBP, Dayquil HBP, and drugstore HBP brands can help them heal without worsening their hypertension.
      • Cough drops (regular and sugar-free), individually wrapped drops or unopened packets, please.
      • General pain relief tablets/capsules. UNOPENED bottles/packages only, please.
        • Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
        • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin), naproxen
        • Arthritis rubs like diclofenac (Voltaren) or Aspercreme
      • Cortisone cream. Unopened packages only, please.
      • Stomach relief like Pepto-Bismol, Mylanta. UNOPENED bottles/packages only, please
      • Chewable heartburn relief / antacids like Tums or Rolaids or acid reduction tablets like famotidine/Pepcid
      • Electric or microwaveable heating pads
      • Disposable face masks, breathable 3-ply with ear loops or N-95 masks, by the box or individually wrapped
  • BOTTLED WATER: Individually sealed, undamaged bottles, by the case preferred, but we can also use sealed water-cooler jugs at Hope Haven.
  • COMMERCIAL KITCHEN FOOD SUPPLIES:
      • Granulated onion or onion powder, 1.25 lb. / 18+ oz size, Badia or McCormick’s or similar brand
      • Granulated garlic or garlic powder, 1.25 to 1.5 lb. / 20+ oz., Badia or McCormick’s or similar brand
      • Ground black pepper, 1 lb. / 18 oz.+ size, any brand
      • Sea salt, coarse or fine grind, multiple-pound bag or tub
      • Badia Complete Seasoning, 1 lb. size or larger
      • Italian Seasoning, 1 lb. or larger preferred, Chef’s Quality, McCormick’s, or similar brand
      • Knorr’s Professional Chicken Bouillon Base, powder, 7.9 lbs.
      • Sugar, granulated white, 5- to 50-lb. bag
      • Note: The Union Mission no longer encourages collection drives for canned goods and kitchen staples other than those listed here. 
  • SPECIAL PROJECT: UNION MISSION KITCHEN UPGRADE: Help our Food Services Team upgrade key kitchen equipment, create a self-serve breakfast bar for our Bashford Men’s Shelter, and add catering supplies for special events. ⇒ Shop The Union Mission Food Services Upgrade Project Amazon Wishlist.
  • MEN’S CLOTHING: We house up to 215 men daily. 
    • ⇒ YEAR-ROUND NEED! Men’s white undershirts/t-shirts, crewneck or V-neck (sizes L–XXXL)
    • ⇒ YEAR-ROUND NEED! Men’s underwear (boxers or boxer briefs preferred) (sizes L–XXXL)
    • New fall-winter coats and work jackets (winter-weight, not fleece hoodies) (sizes L-XXXL)
    • Khakis / pants (all colors, especially khaki, black, and navy, all sizes)
    • Dress / work shirts (all sizes)
    • Men’s black belts (all sizes)
    • Collapsible umbrellas
    • ⇒ CURRENT MEN’S SHELTER REQUEST! Men’s flip flops / shower shoes (sizes 9–13, L–XXL)
    • CURRENTLY WELL STOCKED. Men’s socks, dress and athletic
  • WOMEN’S CLOTHING: We house up to 36 women daily. MARCH IS WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH!  
    • ⇒ CURRENT NEED! New women’s winter-spring-fall coats and jackets (sizes M-XXL)
    • ⇒ CURRENT NEED! Women’s underwear (sizes 7 to 10+ briefs)
    • ⇒ CURRENT NEED! Women’s sports bras (sizes S-XXXL)
    • ⇒ CURRENT NEED! Women’s regular bras (larger sizes, 36C–48DDD)
    • ⇒ CURRENT NEED! Women’s slippers, any style (sizes M–XXL, 8–12)
    • ⇒ CURRENT NEED! Women’s sneakers or casual slip-ons, any style (sizes M–XXL, 8–12)
    • ⇒ CURRENT NEED! Women’s flip flops / shower shoes (sizes M-XXL, 8–12)
    • ⇒ YEAR-ROUND NEED! Collapsible umbrellas
    • Women’s sleepwear: pajama sets, nightgowns, sleep shirts or pants/shorts (sizes M–XXL)
    • CURRENTLY WELL STOCKED. Women’s socks, white athletic, dressy, or casual
    • CURRENTLY OVERSTOCKED. Women’s hats, scarves, and stretch gloves
  • CHILDREN’S CLOTHING AND SUPPLIES: We currently house very few children.
    • CURRENTLY WELL STOCKED. Diapers (especially size 5)
    • CURRENTLY WELL STOCKED. Diaper rash cream or ointment
    • CURRENTLY WELL STOCKED. Potty-training pull-ups for toddlers, sizes 3T-4T and 4T-5T
    • CURRENTLY WELL STOCKED. Children’s underwear (girls and boys, all sizes)
    • CURRENTLY WELL STOCKED. Children’s pajamas (both girls and boys)
    • CURRENTLY WELL STOCKED. Children’s backpacks and school supplies. 
  • TOILETRIES (unopened/unused): 
    • Hotel- / travel-sized bars of soap (.5 oz. – 1 oz.), individually wrapped or bulk packaged.
    • Bar soap, full-size, individually wrapped, women’s scents or unscented
    • Soap holders / Travel containers for full-size bar soap
    • Body wash / Body gel (travel-size men’s, full-size women’s)
    • Deodorant, men’s and women’s (full-size or travel-size roll-on, stick, gel, or spray, unscented preferred)
    • Lotion (travel-size for men’s, full-size or travel-size for women’s)
    • Moisturizing oil lotion (full size for women of color)
    • Shampoo (travel-size for men’s, full-size for women’s)
    • Conditioner (travel-size for men’s, full-size for women’s)
    • Unisex vent hairbrushes
    • Detangling hairbrushes for Afro/curly/wavy/knotted/thick hair
    • Toothpaste (any size, travel-size especially)
    • Toothbrushes (individually wrapped or multipacks)
    • Toothbrush holders
    • CURRENTLY WELL STOCKED. Women’s disposable razors
    • CURRENTLY WELL STOCKED. Men’s disposable razors.
    • Shaving cream (travel-size)
    • Men’s incontinence products/undergarments (Women’s are CURRENTLY WELL STOCKED.)
    • CURRENTLY OVERSTOCKED. Feminine monthly hygiene products (pads, tampons, shields)
  • BIBLES:
  • OTHER GUEST AND SHELTER SUPPLIES:
    • ⇒ CURRENT MEN’S SHELTER REQUEST! Reusable plastic / metal water bottles
    • ⇒ YEAR-ROUND NEED! Collapsible umbrellas
    • Women’s journals (Quantity requested: 50)
    • 2024 monthly / weekly planners (Quantity requested by Women’s Shelter: 50)
    • Travel alarm clocks (Quantity requested by Women’s Shelter: 50)
    • Men’s journals
    • 2-pocket portfolio folders, heavy card stock or plastic, navy preferred
    • Accordion-style expanding document/file folders, heavy-duty plastic
    • Electric steam irons for the Bashford Men’s Shelter
    • Ironing boards for the Bashford Men’s Shelter
    • Additional ironing board covers (54″ x 15″) (any color)
    • 8-foot pre-lit Christmas trees (Quantity requested by Women’s Shelter: 2)

Make Your Shopping Easy with Direct Delivery to The Union Mission!

Use our Amazon Wishlist!

If you have Amazon Prime, most Wishlist items can be shipped directly to us. Just be sure to select our delivery address: Donation for The Union Mission’s Gift Registry Address.

 

HOPE HAVEN SUPPLIES: Help nurture children and strengthen families with donations year-round to Hope Haven and to Camp Hope Haven for this summer.

 

Food, Clothing, Shelter, and so much more!

Hurting and hungry men, women, and children come to the doors of The Union Mission for help every day, many with little more than the clothes on their backs. They need a hot meal, a shower, clean clothing, and a safe place to lay their heads. You can help restore their dignity and self-respect by providing for their basic physical needs. Then we offer counseling, wellness care, caring case management, and job- and life-skills training to help them overcome the causes that led to their homelessness. Most important, as each one here hears the Gospel of Christ, lives are transformed forever.

Donation Drop-off

Located on The Union Mission campus at 5100 E. Virginia Beach Blvd., Norfolk, VA 23502.

On our Union Mission Campus Map, Donation Drop-off is #10.

After you enter at the light, turn right past the Overton Center.

Donation Drop-Off is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Get a tax receipt for your household and clothing donations valued up to $250.

When a homeless person on the street asks you for help…

Consider giving them a care package or a “blessing bag” instead of cash. Stock your car with gallon-sized zipper bags filled with packaged snacks, socks, bottled water, a rain poncho, a grocery store or gas station gift card, a Union Mission Emergency Info Card, and maybe a bus pass to get to the Mission. Help them get the help they need!

Print out UNION MISSION EMERGENCY INFORMATION CARDS.

 

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