Charity and Volunteer Opportunities
One day I woke up and found myself in charity.
It started as a favor for a friend; distributing some abandoned housewares to a local shelter. During those visits, I found overburdened staff and residents lacking basic necessities like regular bathing, food and shoes.
After the experience, I reached out on Facebook to get more donations and get involved with local charities. A few weeks later, I was having coffee with a government official who educated me on the laws, regulations and reputations of the local shelters.
This is my list of charities that need your love and support. It is a work in progress that grows daily. I hope you find the information helpful and share it with others.
I can vouch for the quality and integrity of these operations. That said, I personally buy and deliver all supplies to avoid any issues with delivery. Finally, when donating, remember that supplies are better than money and money is better than nothing.
Every day I wake up renewed to give back to the Yucatan because of the daily messages I receive from people asking how they can contribute, donate, volunteer and share love.
Thank you,
Kimmy Suki
La Divina Providencia
- 92 residents suffering from Dementia, Alzheimer’s and physical ailments
- The daily food cost is 1800 pesos to feed over 90 seniors
- All types of household donations accepted for weekly fundraising bazaar for food and medicine. (Donations first fill the need for the residents and secondly for the bazaar.)
- Accepts donations daily 9-5pm. The gate is always shut but if you reach your hand in and open it the offices are to the right hand side.
Needs
Household goods, clothes, shoes, appliances working, towels, bedding
Adult diapers, lotion, bars of soap, shampoo, toothpaste, underarm deodorant, cleaning supplies, medicine (opened is ok)
Oil, sugar, oatmeal, cereal, vegetables, fruit, meat, canned goods, broth, bread, tortillas, coffee, cookies, hotdogs, eggs, salsa, pastas, tomato sauce
Volunteer opportunities: assist in kitchen, repairs to facilities, provide classes of art or exercise
Cash donations to:
Scotiabank
Clave 044910170023062205
Contact
Director: Sister Alicia
Telephone 9999433751
Calle 26 # 552 x 11a y 13 Col Maya
Caimede DIF
- State-funded facility with 200-300 children from newborn to adults with severe disabilities. The largest population is teens age fourteen to sixteen.
- Accepts donations 9am-3pm Monday through Friday.
- All donated items are given to the police officer at the front gate. There is a guard and a log book to document your donations.
- They do not accept used under garments or socks for sanitary reasons. Please don’t send damaged or torn items. Only in new condition please!
Needs
Shoes (of all sizes including adult), clothes (all sizes), high chairs, strollers, blankets, pillows, brand new socks, brand new underwear, new brushes, underarm deodorant, DVD players, movies, batteries, toys, soccer balls, plastic dishes
Contact
Telephone: 9999850119
Location: Calle 67 Mulsay Merida
AC Renacer Mayab AC (aka The Kids' Soup Kitchen)
The director, Laura, feeds and tutors 30-50 impoverished children. At the moment she can only afford to feed them three or four times a week. For many, it is the only meal they get a day.
Needs
Oil, sugar, cookies, meat, consommé, fruits, vegetables, rice, beans, cheese, pasta
Cleaning products
Cash donations for cooking gas
Volunteer opportunities: assist in homework, cook, clean, help serve children, offer extra classes, play sports or activities with children
Cash donations to:
Bank information: Banamex account 44130141142
Clave interbancaria: 002910441301411427
Contact
Director: Laura Lopez
Telephone: 9991730835
Crias IAP home for teenage boys
- Cares for 6-15 troubled and runaway boys
- Located on a large ranch where they are taught to raise goats and chickens
- Run by a husband and wife who care for the boys
Needs
Canned goods, vegetables, cheese, cereal, tortilla, bread, granola bars, pastas, meat, oatmeal, consommé, rice, beans, oil, cookies
Cleaning supplies, underarm deodorant, shampoo, body soap, new and used men’s size clothes and shoes, blankets, pillows
Volunteer opportunities: Needed occasionally. Please contact the director for further details.
Cash donations to:
Banamex account number 4766840171991792
Contact
Director: Luis Escalante
Telephone: 9999437842
Address: Periferico by Alta Brisa
Arca de Noe Asociacion I.A.P.
- Arca de Noe is three drug rehab centers; one for recovering men, one for women and a teen recovery center
- All members live on site
Needs
Household goods, clothes for men or women, shoes, appliances working (coffee machines, toasters), towels, bedding
Lotion, bars of soap, shampoo, toothpaste, underarm deodorant, tooth brushes, cleaning supplies (bleach, fabulosa, laundry detergent)
Oil, sugar, oatmeal, cereal, vegetables, fruit, meat, canned goods, broth, bread, tortillas, coffee, lunch meat, cheese, hotdogs, eggs, salsa, pastas, tomato sauce, coffee
Contact
Director: David Alvarez
Telephone: 9991645238
Address: Calle 38 #520A between 69 and 71 Centro
Noe Casa de Abuelos Merida and Ixim
- The Merida home has 16 elderly
- The Ixim home has 18 elderly
Needs
Household goods, clothes, shoes, appliances working, towels, bedding
Adult diapers, lotion, bars of soap, shampoo, toothpaste, underarm deodorant, cleaning, supplies, medicine (opened is ok)
Oil, sugar, oatmeal, cereal, vegetables, fruit, meat, canned goods, broth, bread, tortillas, coffee, cookies, hotdogs, eggs, salsa, pastas, tomato sauce
Volunteer opportunities: assist in kitchen, repairs to facilities, provide art or exercise classes, any medically trained or physical therapy help.
Cash donations to:
Bank account Banorte 0861288517 Casa de Descanso de Abuelos A.C.
Contact
Director: Noe Cortes Solis
Address: Calle 79C bis no 647 x 104 y 106 Col Sambula by the airport
Telephone: 9993501143
Children’s Soup Kitchen of Oxcum
- This center started with one woman and her young child who now feed thirty to sixty children 5-7 days a week.
Needs
Oil, cookies, meat, consommé, fruits, vegetables, rice, beans, cheese, tortillas, bread, rice, beans, pasta, cookies
Cleaning products, plastic plates, cups, silverware, pots and pans, hand towels, napkins
Cash donations for cooking gas
Psychiatric Ward (AKA The SSA)
- State-run facility with a limited budget
- Donations can be dropped off with a social service agent or guard
Needs
Blankets, pillows, sheets, plus-size clothes, adult clothes and shoes
Contact
Address: Calle 59 next to the park Hundido de Poniente, Francisco 1 de Madero
Telephone: 9999451542
Ayelem A.C.
- A center for men with Downs Syndrome
- 31 men, aged 16 to 64
- Teaches sports, social interaction, art, work skills and culture activities
- They work with the men from 8am to 4pm Monday through Friday
- Home to Special Olympics medal winners
- Soliciting construction materials to build an improved facility to serve these men
Needs
Material for construction 50000 blocks, 20000 bovedillas, 300 bags of cement, 200 bags of cal, 2 truck loads of gravel and polvo
Cash donations for labor
Cash transfers to
Bank account Banorte 0640247568
Contact
Director: Nelly Canton
Address Calle 59 # 622a x 78 y 80 Col Centro
Telephone: 9992563738
Helpful Links & Resources
Posted By Yucatan Living Contributor
