Children’s books, back-to-school supplies, diapers and more!
In order to meet the growing needs of our community, Southwest Human Development relies on donors to help support its critical programs and services. Serving more than 140,000 children, families and professionals each year, Southwest Human Development is continually accepting donations of diapers, new or gently-used children’s books, children’s goods, supplies for our ADAPT Shop and more!
At Southwest Human Development, we focus on four quarterly drive events to best service the children and families we work with every day. We’ve also got a few year-round activities that you can support! Take a look at the options below and decide which drive you’d like to support!
Are you interested in hosting a drive? Email [email protected] and let us know!
January-March:
Support Our Welcome Bags for Children Experiencing Foster Care
When children are placed with relatives or foster families, they often arrive with little more than the clothes on their backs. To ease this difficult transition, we provide “Welcome Bags” filled with essential items and comforting touches for children of all ages, as well as their caregivers.
You can make a meaningful difference by organizing a donation drive or contributing to our Family Assistance Fund. Your support helps us supply much-needed items—like toiletries, clothing, books, and blankets—that offer a sense of dignity, stability, and care during an uncertain time.
Comfort items
Stuffed/Plush Animals (teens love receiving these too)
Fidget Toys
Journals (Blank or with prompts)
Coloring Books (adult or youth)
Crayons/Pencils/Markers
Drawing Pads
Nightlights
Blankets
Craft Kits (bracelet making, etc.)
Toiletries
Deodorant
Scented Body Wash
Shampoo/Conditioner
First aid kit (fun character Band-Aids are a treat!)
Extras
Duffle Bag or sturdy Medium/Large bag with zipper
Books
Gift Cards
Picture Frames
For more information or to get involved with this drive, contact us at [email protected]!
April-June:
Support Grow A Reader by Donating New or Gently-Used Children’s Books
When you purchase books for our Grow A Reader virtual book drive, you’re planting the seed to help a child development a lifelong love of reading! To get involved with Grow A Reader, simply visit our online shopping cart, select your books and we’ll take care of getting them into the hands of kids who need them the most! You can also feature one of our Grow A Reader flowerpots at your business, organization, church, special event or child’s school!
You can also support early literacy programs like our Raising A Reader and Reach Out and Read programs by sponsoring a book drive at your workplace, church or child’s school. We gladly accept new or gently-used books with covers and pages intact, specifically books suited for children ages birth to 5. Unfortunately, we cannot accept tattered books with dirty, ripped or missing covers and pages, or books for adults or those with sensitive content.
If you’d like to get involved, please send us an email at [email protected]!
July-September:
Back-to-School Supply Drive
Every year, thousands of Arizona’s children go back to school without the necessary materials they need to succeed in the classroom. We’re hoping to change that for many low-income families each year! With your support, we can ensure Arizona’s young children have what they need for a happy, healthy and productive return to the school year!
If you’d like to help, please visit our online back-to-school shopping cart, or contact us at [email protected] if you’d like to host a supply drive bin at your workplace or community organization!
October-December:
Gingerbread Kids Holiday Gift Drive
Many of the caregivers in our programs work very hard to meet the basic needs of the children, which can make it difficult to provide for the extras around the holidays. Your contributions will help to ensure that many children experience some holiday magic this special time of the year!
Your workplace or community organization can sponsor specific children in need this holiday season by contacting us at [email protected]. We’ll provide custom Gingerbread Kids wish list tags, complete with the child’s name, age, sizes and favorite things, that you can put on display for people to select. You can also purchase gifts online by visiting our online shopping cart!
Year-Round:
Diapers
For many of the families we work with, every dollar they make is spent on providing for the essentials, such as rent, utilities, food and transportation. The added high cost of diapers can sometimes be unattainable for them. Southwest Human Development is fortunate to have the support of the Diaper Bank of Central Arizona to provide many of the families we serve with this critical resource … but the need for diapers is always greater.
You can help by organizing a diaper drive or by making a financial contribution earmarked for diapers or our Family Assistance Fund! Diapers for newborns and sizes 1 and 2 are most needed, but sizes 3, 4 and 5 are also appreciated.
Year-Round:
ADAPT Shop Supplies
The ADAPT Shop offers families individualized adaptive supports for children with disabilities that can be identified, designed and/or fabricated for their unique specific needs.
We welcome donations from the community to help fund this important program. You can help build a piece of custom equipment for an ADAPT Shop family!
Donate online or contact us at [email protected] for additional ways you can help.