The gift giving season is fast approaching. If you're looking for a place to shop and donate goods or money, the Five Points and West Colfax neighborhoods have you covered.
The Five Points Business Improvement District is hosting its third annual Holiday Stroll in Five Points along Welton Street on Dec. 10. The following Saturday, Dec. 17, the West Colfax Business Improvement District will be hosting West Colfax Cares along the corridor.
Both events invite Denverites to shop local and donate to those experiencing homelessness.
LaSheita Sayer, owner of Melody Market and Vice President of the Five Points BID, said the Holiday Stroll event started in 2020 as a way to bring folks to the corridor for COVID-safe activities and shopping. In exchange for free treats and warm drinks, folks were encouraged to donate socks for the unhoused.
"The FPBID designed a COVID safe outdoor-ish event for Denver families to enjoy...when so many of our small independent businesses were struggling," Sayer said. "It was a great success, and we collected and donated over 400 pairs of warm socks to local homeless shelters."
The concept is the same this year and will go from 3p.m. to 6p.m.
Bring socks to the corridor and receive a Holiday Passport, which is a "pocket-sized guide leading participants to stroll and receive complimentary warm drinks and treats."
Besides browsing the shops, there will also be some craft activities such as gingerbread house decorating at Scratch Bakery.
On the west side of town on Dec. 17, businesses along West Colfax will be offering specials with a percentage of sales going towards families experiencing homelessness.
There will be a Holiday Makers Market popup at Seedstock Brewery and Chaos Vintage.
Folks can bring warm clothes to Little Man Ice Cream and the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. They'll be donated to Dry Bones, a nonprofit that assists unhoused youth.
Looking for some more places to donate? We've got a list for you. If we missed any, let us know at [email protected]! We'll continue to update this list.
Circling Eagle Foundation
Dave Smith Realty or Hope Center
2015 East 26th Ave. or 3475 Holly St.
Accepting donations through Dec, 17
The Circling Eagle Foundation and several other groups are collecting toys or gift cards for children in the area. Folks can email [email protected] for more information.
Five Points Holiday Stroll
Dec. 10 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Visit the corridor for some local shopping and donating. Folks are encouraged to donate socks for those experiencing homelessness.
Southwest Denver Coalition
Holiday Toy Drive
Dec. 10
The Southwest Denver Coalition is hosting its annual Holiday Gift Giveaway and in partnership with Councilmember Kevin Flynn, toy donations can be dropped off via a drive through toy drive.
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 10, folks can drive through the parking lot of Flynn's office at 3100 S. Sheridan Blvd. and drop off a toy. His office is located behind the Department of Motor Vehicles in the Bear Valley Shopping Center. "Turn in at the car wash across from Dartmouth and Yates."
Flynn's Facebook page said, "A radio station will be playing music and giving away prizes and Santa will be handing out candy canes."
The Coalition is also accepting donations outside of this event. They're looking for gifts that include arts and crafts, sports equipment, dolls, puzzles and books. There's a need for Gift cards from places such as Walmart, Target and Old Navy. Gifts for teenagers such as makeup, lotions, cologne and headphones are a necessity.
The Coalition also needs wrapping paper, bows and gift tags. Donations can be dropped off at the following Denver Community Credit Union locations: 3299 W. Alameda Ave and 1075 Acoma St.
Registration for the giveaway is currently on hold due to demand but it may reopen. Continue to check the Coalition's Facebook. You can qualify for the giveaway if you have children and live in the following zip codes 80204, 80219, 80223, or 80236.
Sun Valley Kitchen + Community Center
1260 Decatur St.
Dec. 17 to 22
The Kitchen is hosting its fourth annual Holiday Breakfast Baskets giveaway. The baskets will be given to families Dec. 23. The Kitchen is accepting food donations for the baskets including eggs, milk, bagels, breakfast meat, peanut butter, fruit, coffee and pancake mix.
Besides food, The Kitchen is also accepting gently used scarves, winter gloves, jackets, hats, and socks for children and adults. Monetary donations are also accepted.
Email [email protected] for additional questions and to schedule drop-off.
Sun Valley Youth Center
1230 Decatur St.
The Youth Center is currently accepting donations in the form of toys and gifts for children 5 to 12 years old. They're also accepting kitchen items, such as dish towels and reusable grocery bags, toiletries and household supplies, such as laundry detergent, bath soap, toilet paper
West Colfax Cares
December 17
The West Colfax Business Improvement District, along with merchants along West Colfax and in Sloans Lake are hosting West Colfax Cares to raise funds and provide warm clothing for youth experiencing homelessness.
Several businesses along the corridor will be offering specials with a percentage of sales going towards families experiencing homelessness. Little Man Ice Cream and the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema will also be accepting warm clothes that will be donated to Dry Bones, a nonprofit that assists unhoused youth.
