House of Ruth Maryland’s Adopt a Family program needs your help. The program provides holiday gifts and gift cards to struggling families and children throughout Baltimore City and the surrounding counties.
This year, House of Ruth Maryland has 350 families signed up for the Adopt a Family program, which supports survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence and their families during the holiday season. Only around 53% of the families have been matched with donors, leaving 165 families still needing help. In addition to facing the trauma of violence, the families are feeling the impact of the government shutdown and rising fuel and groceries costs.
“The beauty of Adopt A Family is that it’s accessible,” said Andy Morgan, Lead Events Planner. “Whether you’re one person shopping for a mom and her child or a company adopting an entire shelter floor, every act of kindness fills a gap that otherwise wouldn’t be met.”
Donors can help in multiple ways and be paired with a family based on their commitment capability. They can shop for physical gifts to match a family’s wishlists and drop the gifts off at House of Ruth Maryland for distribution. Donors can provide gift cards, empowering the families to celebrate the holidays in ways that match their traditions. The families receive gift cards to their requested stores and complete the shopping for themselves and their loved ones.
People can also donate to the Adopt a Family Fund. Pairing of donors and families ends in November, but sometimes survivors join House of Ruth after pairing has ended. The fund helps ensure those survivors can still receive holiday gifts and is also an option for donors who are not up for the financial commitment of adopting an entire wishlist.
House of Ruth Maryland requests the gifts are dropped off unwrapped, so they can ensure gifts are age-appropriate and non-violent. Some parents also want the chance to wrap the gifts for their children. Donors are welcome to also drop off wrapping supplies!
The deadline to sign up to be a donor is Monday, Nov. 24. Gifts and gift cards must be dropped off at the House of Ruth Maryland Community Engagement Center, located at 2521 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD.
Drop-off dates are:
- Wednesday, Dec. 3, 3–7 p.m.
- Friday, Dec. 5, 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
House of Ruth Maryland was founded in 1977 by a coalition of women’s organizations, religious groups, service providers, and elected officials. Its goal is to offer a safe haven for survivors of domestic violence and their children. It is recognized as one of the nation’s most comprehensive domestic violence centers, with a staff of more than 90 people working to end violence against women and their children.
In FY24, House of Ruth Maryland supported more than 11,000 people, giving them access to safety, support, and healing through emergency shelter, counseling programs, legal advocacy, and community outreach initiatives. They have a 24-hour crisis hotline, a shelter, a legal clinic, and a training institute.
To learn more about the House of Ruth Maryland Adopt a Family program and sign up to become a donor, visit their website.
