Support North Kent Connect

When you donate to North Kent Connect you are helping local families improve their lives. Thank you!

Donate Online

Items Most Needed

Host a Drive

FAQs

Financials

Ways to Help

  1. Shop the NKC Thrift Store. All proceeds go right back into NKC programs and services for the community.
  1. Donate your gently-loved clothing and small housewares. They will be sold in the NKC Thrift Store at very affordable prices.
  1. Donate food items. Please note that all food items will go into our Food Pantry and are always FREE to NKC clients.
  1. Make a monetary donation.

Donate Online

You can make a monetary donation to North Kent Connect using your checking or savings account via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), or with a debit or credit card using our secure online web form.

Donate via EFT
Donate via Debit/Credit Card

Questions about Donating?

If you have any questions about making donations, you can check out our full donation guide.


For all other questions about making a donation, please contact Scott Christie, Director of Donor Engagement, with any questions. He can be reached via the contact form below or at 616-866-3478, ext. 356.

Host a Drive

If you, your business or organization wishes to support us by hosting a drive, we will gladly provide you with tips, best practices and marketing support.

Types of Drives

1. Food Drives

We’re frequently asked what items are most needed in our pantry (all pantry and food items are free to NKC clients):

  • Canned Fruit (low sugar)
  • Cereal (low sugar)
  • Canned Soup (low sodium)
  • Canned Veggies (low sodium)

2. Personal-Care Items Drive

Enlist the help of your church, neighborhood or civic group and collect the items most needed by our Pantry.

Personal care items most needed are:

  • Feminine hygiene products
  • Laundry soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Toothpaste (full-size tubes)

3. Clothing Drive

Donate your gently loved clothing or household items to the North Kent Connect Store.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is your biggest need?

Our biggest need depends on the season. Please contact our front desk at (616) 866-3478 for more information.

Can you pick up donations?

If you are a business, church, or organization hosting a drive for us, we can pick up your donations. Please give us at least a week’s notice to arrange for transportation.

I’m hosting a drive. How can I spread the word?

We would be happy to discuss how you can promote your food or clothing drive. Please contact us through our online form.

What items do you accept?

We gratefully accept these items. Please bag or box them.

Accessories
Bicycles
Books
Christmas lights (we recycle broken lights)
Clean clothing in any condition (we recycle clean, torn clothing)
Clean domestics – curtains, linens, bedspreads, blankets
Collectibles – knick-knacks & decorations
Food – not expired or open
Handbags & luggage
Housewares – dishes, glasses, flatware, utensils, vases, lamps
Media – records, CDs, videos, DVDs
Personal care items – unopened
Shoes
Small working appliances
Sporting equipment
Toys & clean stuffed animals

What items CANNOT be donated?

Unfortunately, we cannot accept the following items:

Anything broken, damaged, or rusted
Automobile parts – tires, rims, hubcaps, etc.
Bathroom/kitchen fixtures
Computers, monitors & printers
Cribs, playpens, or car seats
Entertainment centers
Furniture
Futons
Hazardous materials – household chemicals, insecticides, etc.
Home repair materials – windows, doors, lumber, drywall, florescent light bulbs
Large appliances
Mattresses
Paint
Recalled items
Rugs & carpet
TVs
Used pet supplies
Weapons – guns, knives, collectible swords, ammunition

Items Most Needed

So many of our families spend more than half of their paycheck to cover rent or mortgage. At North Kent Connect, we believe strongly in the power of choice. When someone is struggling to make ends meet, it is empowering to have options. Families can choose from a variety of meats, cheese, fruits, vegetables, grains, and more to meet their preferences.

While there are many fresh items available in the pantry right now due to the growing season, these are the items needed most. Thank You!

  • Cereal
  • Canned fruit/fruit cups for kid snacks
  • Meal makers: Tuna helper/Soups/Pasta
  • Sauces (no glass jars, please)
  • Body soap/Bar soap
  • Shampoo/conditioner
  • Toilet paper

Donation Hours

Clothing/Houseware Donations* (south side of building). Please bag or box items. Thank you!

Monday – Thursday
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Saturday
8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Food Donations (north side of building):

Monday – Thursday
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Financials

North Kent Connect, a 501(c)3 organization, is audited yearly by the accounting firm Goodlander, Swett and Rybicki. A snapshot of our financial information is available below:

If you would like more detailed information, please contact Scott Christie, our Director of Donor Engagement. He is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Membership requires signing the Code of Ethical Principals and Standards. Claire and the board of directors operate from the highest standards. They believe in financial transparency, carefully controlled spending, procedures in place to prevent abuse, accuracy of solicitation materials, and assurance that contributions are used according to the donors’ intentions.

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