Flint: Families can volunteer at the Sister Claudia Burke Center of Hope, run by Catholic Charities of Shiawassee and Genesee Counties. Tasks for children include sorting donations and dividing liquids (soap, shampoo, etc.) from bulk containers into personal size bottles. Families can also help make “Hope Soap” laundry detergent for the center’s laundry room. Contact Mary Stevenson 810.265.7025, ext. 712 to discuss how your family can serve.

Jackson: Catholic Charities of Jackson, Lenawee, and Hillsdale Counties runs a personal needs and linens closet a couple blocks south of downtown, and families are welcome to stock shelves or distribute items. Contact Bea Cuthbertson at 517. 879.0599.

Lansing: St. Vincent Catholic Charities distributes new clothing items to recent refugee arrivals in the Lansing area. View specific needs on its Amazon and Walmart wish lists at stvcc.org/donating/in-kind-donations, or contact Veronika Parsamova (parsamv@stvcc.org) if you’re interested in organizing a collection of items through your parish or a larger group of families. (Note: volunteers are required to undergo a background check.)

Other: Ask your parish Knights of Columbus council if it participates in Coats for Kids, a national Knights program that distributes new winter jackets to children in need. Could your family help during a distribution day?