Give Stuff

Donations of food and goods help keep our shelter running and make a huge difference in the lives of adults and children affected by domestic violence. See below for a list of items.

To learn more about donating food or goods, please contact Wendy Tougas, DAIS Shelter Living Specialist, at 251-1237 ext. 323.

For more ideas see the Give Creatively page.

Shelter Wish List

Please note: Because many items are used as gifts, DAIS currently only accepts new items. If you have used items you would like to donate, please consider donating them to Community Action Coalition’s Free Clothing Center (246-4730) or St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Stores (278-2920). Both of these organizations provide items to our clients free of charge.

Download the Shelter Wish List

With questions about donating items for our shelter, please contact Wendy Tougas, DAIS Shelter Living Specialist, at 251-1237 ext. 323.

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Big-Ticket Items

DAIS is occasionally in need of bigger-ticket items, such as furniture or electronics. We accept new and gently used big-ticket items, such as the following:

  • Couches
  • Vacuum cleaners
  • Dressers
  • Projector (laptop-compatible)
  • Stackable office chairs

To learn whether we’re in need of a particular big-ticket item, please call us at 608-251-1237 ext. 323.

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Grocery Needs

The following grocery items are always needed on the shelter's pantry shelves and are easy to purchase when you do your grocery shopping. If you shop in bulk, feel free to pick up a whole case of an item – supplies go fast in a shelter with 25 people!

  • Concentrated juice (frozen or unrefrigerated)
  • Juice boxes
  • Fruit snacks
  • Kool-Aid
  • Canned pasta (O's, ravioli, etc.)
  • Spaghetti sauce
  • Meal enhancers (Hamburger Helper, etc.)
  • Canned fruit
  • Boxed cereal
  • Ketchup
  • Snack-sized crackers & cheese packs
  • Graham crackers
  • Mayonnaise/Miracle Whip
  • Granola bars
  • Food storage (“disposable tupperware,” baggies, foil)
  • Laundry and cleaning supplies

With questions about donating food for our shelter, please contact Wendy Tougas, DAIS Shelter Living Specialist, at 251-1237 ext. 323.

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Holiday Wish List

Each year, DAIS offers special holiday gifts and activities for shelter residents and other clients. You can help us make the holidays a warm and welcoming experience for families living in crisis. See our special Holiday Wish List here.

Download the Holiday Wish List

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Used Cell Phones

Donate your used cell phones for a good cause! DAIS collects used cell phones, then we partner with Shelter Alliance to recycled or dispose of the phones in an environmentally friendly way. DAIS receives a return on every donated phone. Last year, we raised more than $6,000 through used cell phone collection! Drop off your unused phone at the Ancora locations on King Street, Monroe Street or University Avenue.

If you are interested in hosting a cell phone collection bin at your workplace or organization, please contact Samantha Moore, Administrative Coordinator, at samantham@abuseintervention.org.

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