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). 

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 Chelsea at 734.484.9900 or chelseac@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.

Denim Days (Year-Round)
Work in comfort and help your community by organizing a weekly Denim Day at your workplace!  Collect donations for SOS from participating co-workers who wear jeans/casual clothes on the designated days.  For more information contact chelseac@soscs.org or click here. 

Adopt-a-Month (Year-Round)
Sign-up to host a food drive, collect personal care items, or baby items for an entire month.  To register, call 734.961.1210 or email volunteer@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 $75-$100 per family member. For more information about this option, please contact Chelsea at 734.484.9900 or chelseac@soscs.org.