Reviewed by: Cindy Hatcher
5 Birmingham nonprofits that need your help—free ways to help
Reading time: 4 minutes
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For many families in Birmingham, the holidays can come with unexpected challenges. Luckily, our communities are stepping up to help.
Countless organizations across the Greater Birmingham Area support local families in their own unique ways. Keep reading for five nonprofits that are making the holiday season a little easier for families in need, and how you can help, too.
Jimmie Hale Mission
As one of the most well-known nonprofits in the Birmingham area, Jimmie Hale Mission has provided shelter, recovery and care to men affected by homelessness for 80 years and counting.
Throughout the year, Jimmie Hale Mission takes volunteers to serve and share a meal—this especially goes a long way during the holiday season.
Other ways you can serve:
- Mentor a client
- Lead a chapel service
- Engage in weekend events like board games, basketball + more
- Help with projects like painting, repairs, landscaping + more
Grace House Ministries
According to Grace House Ministries, there are over 2,500 Alabama girls in foster care every year. To help combat those statistics, the nonprofit has provided stable, Christian homes to Alabama girls in foster care. And they’ve been doing it since 1992!
Founder, Lois Coleman, lovingly known as Mama Lois, planted the seeds of her vision with a commitment to develop godly women.
Since 1992, more than 800 girls have found refuge, restoration and direction at Grace House.
You can help this mission continue to move forward:
- Maintenance projects, cleaning/organization + more
- Regularly serve through Bible studies, dinners, crafts + more
- Drop off a meal
- Shop for school supplies, fresh bedding + more for residents
See more ways to volunteer.
Operation Homefront
Operation Homefront provides meals, financial support and emotional well-being resources for enlisted military members and their families.
Last year, the nonprofit gave over $3 million in financial support to military families.
You can give back in a few ways throughout the year, but right now, Operation Homefront could use your help with a few timely needs:
- Serve a holiday meal
- Donate—right now, your donation will be doubled!
Community Food Bank of Central Alabama
One in six people in Central Alabama experiences food insecurity, according to the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama.
To help combat these statistics, our local food bank supplies food to pantries, shelters and children’s programs across Central Alabama.
In 2024, the Community Food Bank distributed over 24.6 million pounds of food—equal to nearly 20.6 million meals! But they can’t do it without the help of dedicated volunteers.
To serve with the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama:
Grace Klein Community
On the topic of food insecurity, Grace Klein Community is one of my favorite nonprofits in Birmingham to serve with.
Through local and global initiatives, Grace Klein is an educational nonprofit “dedicated to providing relief to the poor, disadvantaged and underprivileged.” They do this through:
- Providing food, school supplies + diapers to families in need
- Assisting in adoption costs through yard sales, shoe drives + more
- Sending short- and long-term mission teams across the world
Whatever your niche, there’s a place for you to serve with Grace Klein Community. I’ve done everything from deep cleaning a house to writing encouraging letters to go in the food boxes.
Here are a few ways you can help:
- Serve at a food distribution drive-thru
- Organize donations at outreach halls
- Bring flowers, food + prayer to people in the hospital
- Transform community gardens in local food deserts
Where are you serving this holiday season? Check out more Birmingham nonprofits that could use a helping hand throughout the year.
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