Current Drives
Virtual Food and Essentials Drive for COVID-19
You too can help support our neighbors, while you practice social distancing, by making a donation to this virtual food drive.
Make Individual Masks
During this virus pandemic, the CDC has asked everyone to wear a facial mask. You can make a no-sew mask or if you have a sewing machine, you can sew fabric into a medical mask for personal use.
Mission Health & Wellness Kits
The many at-risk people who visit us daily at the Mission are often not well equipped to battle the ongoing threat of the deadly corona virus. You can help us help them be better prepared by making Heath and Wellness Kits.
This Thanksgiving – as you shop for your family, buy enough for another family or host a Food Drive at your business, in your neighborhood, church, club, or make it a family project to help ...
Food Drive
In Washington, DC, one in seven households struggles to put food on the table each day, with seniors and children being impacted the most. You can help by organizing a food drive in your community!
Download Food Drive Collection Poster
Download Food Drive Flyer
Mealtime Inspiration Kits
Create something that is both inspirational and useful!
A sandwich size zipper bag packed with a plastic fork, knife and spoon, a napkin and a card of inspiration–either a verse or words of encouragement– written on a 5×7 index card (or index-sized card) and placed in the zipper bag.
Winter Coat Drive
Winter in Washington, DC can be dangerously cold, and people in our community who are experiencing poverty or homeless don’t have the proper warm clothing to withstand extreme temperatures. You can help protect our vulnerable neighbors by organizing a winter coat drive in your community – coats, hats, gloves, and scarves in all sizes are needed.
Clothing Drive
Clothing is always needed by the men, families, and seniors served at Central Union Mission. Whether it’s professional attire, everyday apparel, or cold weather gear, your clothing donations are greatly appreciated. It’s easy to organize a clothing drive in your community, use the flyers below for organizing your Clothing Drive:
Download Clothing Drive Collection Poster
Download Clothing Drive Poster
Drop-Off Details
Shoes
Please donate new and gently used shoes for men, women and children experiencing poverty and homelessness. Thank you for your compassion.
Linen and Towel Drive
We have to wash the bedding in the shelter every night of the year—that puts a lot of wear and tear on the linen.Items needed
- twin-sized white, sheets (fitted and/or flat)
- white pillow cases
- twin-sized pillows
- twin-sized blankets (any color as long as they are machine washable)
- white bath and face towels
Soups, Stews and Chili
Soups, stews and chili are fun projects for volunteers, and each makes a delightful addition to our meal options. Whether through providing the ingredients, preparing the meal and/or even serving it, this is a helpful way volunteers can affect the lives of those less fortunate.
Share a Dessert
Do you love to bake and create desserts and treats? You can share your sweet passion with the men of the mission by creating a dessert specially for them.
Other Items Needed
Central Union Mission cares for thousands of homeless men at our emergency shelter every year. Necessities such as disposable razors, underwear in all sizes, socks, and shower sandals are needed by our guests every day. The Mission also cares for needy people who stop by the shelter daily, who need a variety of additional items such as rain ponchos, bottled water, and luggage with wheels.