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Learn about homelessness and educate others
Recognize that people experiencing homelessness are not all the same. They are as diverse as the colors of a rainbow. There is no one cause for homelessness but it is the result of many different factors and situations. Aid For Friends offers a second chance in life. You can learn more about the state of homelessness in Idaho here: https://www.idahohousing.com/homelessness-services-programs/idaho-homelessness-community-report/. You can learn more about homelessness in the United States here: https://endhomelessness.org/homelessness-in-america/homelessness-statistics/state-of-homelessness/
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Donate monthly or yearly
Financial contributions enable Aid For Friends to continue providing safe shelter to families and individuals by staffing the shelter with qualified employees, providing social services, and offering products to meet the basic needs of clients. Checks or money orders may be sent to:
Aid For Friends
P.O. Box 4233
Pocatello, ID 83205
You may also send in a donation using a credit or debit card via Paypal (no account required) anytime by clicking the button below:
If you have a Paypal account, you may donate via the Giving Fund. This is a special Paypal charity account in which 100% of the donated funds will go straight to Aid For Friends, with no fees deducted before disbursement. Visit https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/119030 to donate to the Giving Fund.
New! You can now donate via Venmo by scanning or clicking the QR code below or visiting https://www.venmo.com/u/AidForFriends
Please visit our Events and Fundraisers page for additional donation opportunities
Aid For Friends is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization; donations may be tax-deductible.
IN-KIND DONATIONS
Donate items to the shelter
Items may be dropped off directly at the emergency shelter, at 209 E. Lewis. Call (208) 232-5669 for further information. Ideas include:
- Meat, dairy products, cooking supplies, canned meats and vegetables and dry goods
- Laundry Soap, Dish Soap, Floor Cleaner, Bathroom Cleaning Supplies
Bath Towels, Hand Towels, Wash Cloths, Sheets and Pillow Cases, Pillows, Blankets - Toothpaste & Toothbrushes, Deodorant, Bath Soap, Combs & Brushes, Feminine Hygiene Items Diapers & Disposable Baby Wipes
Ongoing shelter needs
Cleaning Supplies
- Laundry soap
- Fabric Softener
- Lysol spray
- SOS pads
- Scouring sponges
- Large (33-gal) and small (8-gal) trash bags
- Gallon-size freezer bags
- Paper towels
Hygiene Supplies
- Toilet paper
- Body Wash
- Conditioner
- Tampons
- Razors (men and women)
- Deodorant (men and women)
Children’s items
- Any size diapers, especially large size (5) diapers
- Any size pull-ups for children
- Diaper wipes
Linens/Clothing
- Blankets
- Shoes and work boots
- Winter coats and jackets
- New, never worn underwear and socks, especially in larger sizes
- NOTE: we no longer accept clothing donations other than what is mentioned above. You can donate clothing to St. Vincent de Paul or other thrift stores or charities.
Office Supplies
- Copy paper
- Manila file folders
- Post-it notes
- Pens
- Notebooks
Donate outerwear, underwear, and socks
Whenever you donate used outerwear (coats, hats, gloves, jackets, scarves, etc.), please ensure that the items are clean, free of stains and need no mending. We can only accept socks and underwear that are new and sealed in the package.
We no longer accept general clothing donations (shirts, pants, pajamas, etc.), but encourage you to donate these to a local thrift store, some of whom provide clothing for our clients and other community members in need. You can also donate them to other community agencies such as SEICAA (all sizes for their “birthday closet” and adult blue- and white-collar work clothes for their “work closet”), Family Services Alliance (all sizes), Bannock Youth Foundation (all sizes) and Compassion & Hope Pregnancy Resources Center (baby clothes and maternity clothes).
Donate household items for “Welcome Home” kits
Individuals and families moving out of the shelter or off the streets into their own home still need a little extra assistance, and a “Welcome Home” kit will give them a boost. The kits could include mops, brooms, sponges and rags, cleaning supplies, dishes, pots, pans, small appliances, cooking and food supplies, linens, and towels.
Some ideas for items to put in these kits are below:
Cleaning/Household Supplies:
Laundry Hamper (great as a “basket” to hold the other supplies!)
Wastebasket (great as a “basket” to hold the other supplies!)
Trash Can Liners
Cleaning Sponges
Mop Bucket (great as a “basket” to hold the other supplies!)
Multi-Purpose Cleaner (409, Lysol, etc.)
Sanitizing Wipes
Toilet Brush
Pine Sol
Paper Towels
Toilet Paper
Dish Soap
Place Setting for One (bowl, fork, knife, spoon)
Saucepan
Frying Pan
Wooden spoons
Spatula/Pancake Turner
Shower Curtain and Rings
Ziploc Bags
Laundry Detergent (with small, reusable containers to transport smaller amounts to laundromats)
Hygiene/Personal Care Supplies:
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Shampoo
Conditioner
Body Wash
Bath Towel
Hand Towel
Washcloth
Hand Soap
VOLUNTEER
Prepare dinner, or deliver leftover food from a catered event
It is best to first call the Emergency Shelter to make arrangements for a specific night. This will allow the staff to schedule the weekly meal menu. You may also click here (https://www.justserve.org/projects/ea0c704d-e6db-4dd2-8cca-cea8fca56856) to learn more about helping with dinner and to sign up for a meal. Prepared food must be cooked in a commercial kitchen to be donated.
Join an Aid For Friends committee
Contribute your time and talents to various Aid For Friends projects and initiatives. The sky is the limit, but currently we have a need for volunteers to join our Splish & Splash and Encampment planning committees. Please email us at info@aidforfriendspocatello.com to inquire about joining one of these committees, or if you have other ideas on how you can contribute to the mission of Aid For Friends.
Organize a fundraising event or drive
As a group project, you can plan a fundraiser or donation drive, such as a bake sale, neighborhood garage sale, car wash, spaghetti dinner, or drive for in-kind donations requested above; the list goes on and on. The proceeds and items can be given to Aid For Friends. Contact Aid For Friends before planning the event to help with public relations and input.
