For Giving Tuesday, consider donating to these Erie nonprofits

Erie, Pennsylvania is my hometown. It’s a place I’m proud to be from, a small city with a strong sense of community and a rich history. It’s a place with lush natural beauty that can’t be found anywhere else. It’s a place where we love animals. It’s a place where neighbors take care of neighbors.

Whether through time, donations, or community advocacy, Erie locals have continually rallied behind causes that uplift their neighbors. In a city where kindness is as big a part of its identity as lake effect snow, there are numerous nonprofits working tirelessly to make a difference in people’s lives every day.

This giving guide highlights five outstanding community nonprofits in Erie that are driving positive change and meeting critical needs. From education and youth empowerment to food security, animal welfare, and providing holiday gifts for low-income kids, these organizations are committed to enhancing the quality of life in Erie for all. Their dedicated teams and volunteers are making an impact in profound ways, providing resources and programs that enrich the community.

For anyone looking to contribute, whether financially or through volunteer efforts, these nonprofits offer meaningful opportunities to give back. Supporting them not only strengthens Erie’s social fabric but also directly impacts the lives of countless residents. Read on to learn more about these inspiring organizations and how you can make a difference by joining their mission.

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Child Development Centers Inc.

When we think of the holidays, we often think of children first. The Erie area’s Child Development Centers focus on early child education, offering a variety of programs for the area’s youngest citizens. CDC offers free, subsidized, tuition-based preschool for children ages 3 to 5 across Venango, Crawford, and Erie counties. For families of four with a household income under $90,000 per year, preschool services are offered for free.

This Community Choice Award winner is on a mission to support children’s development from infancy through early school years, CDC operates several centers across Erie County, making it accessible to families throughout the region.

CDC’s programs are designed to nurture children’s cognitive, social, emotional, and physical growth. The organization follows structured curricula tailored to each age group, including infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children, to encourage skills development at every stage. Teachers and staff focus on creating a safe, engaging, and inclusive environment that fosters learning through play and exploration, allowing children to build foundational skills that prepare them for future academic success.

CDC supports families by offering subsidized childcare programs to qualifying families, aiming to make early education affordable and accessible. They also partner with local organizations to provide resources and guidance to parents, including family support programs and developmental assessments, helping create a strong foundation for children both in and out of the classroom. Through these initiatives, CDC plays a vital role in promoting early learning and family support within the Erie community.

Kearsarge Area Food Pantry

The Kearsarge Area Food Pantry in Erie, PA, is a volunteer-driven organization dedicated to providing food assistance to individuals and families facing food insecurity. Serving residents in the Kearsarge and Millcreek communities, the pantry operates as a reliable source of essential groceries and nutritious food items for those in need. With a compassionate approach, they aim to ensure that no one in the local area goes hungry.

The pantry typically distributes food on scheduled days each month, allowing clients to receive pre-packed boxes or, in some cases, to select items from available supplies to better meet their household needs. They offer a variety of non-perishable food items, as well as fresh produce, dairy, and protein when available, depending on community donations and partnerships with local businesses and organizations. The food pantry also provides hygiene items to those in need.

Right now, the Kearsarge Area Food Pantry is in need of some new freezers as their current ones are out of date. Keeping food fresh is essential to their mission in the community, so if you’re donating money this Giving Tuesday, we hope that you’ll consider this cause.

Asbury Woods Partnership

The Asbury Woods Partnership in Erie, PA, is a nonprofit organization that manages and supports Asbury Woods, a 205-acre nature center and preserve dedicated to environmental education, conservation, and community recreation. The partnership’s mission is to connect people of all ages with nature through interactive programming, educational opportunities, and outdoor experiences that inspire environmental stewardship and an appreciation for the natural world.

Asbury Woods offers a wide range of activities, including guided nature hikes, educational workshops, seasonal festivals, and hands-on science programs for children and families. It features trails, wetlands, forests, and open spaces that provide a natural habitat for local wildlife and serve as a valuable outdoor classroom for schools and community groups. The partnership also maintains the Andrew J. Conner Nature Center, which hosts exhibits, classrooms, and events year-round, making environmental education accessible to the entire Erie community.

The Asbury Woods Partnership plays an essential role in preserving one of Erie’s most treasured natural areas and promoting environmental awareness. By providing free access to outdoor spaces and nature programs, Asbury Woods fosters a community that values conservation and responsible environmental practices. This work is especially important as it encourages future generations to understand and care for the environment, ensuring that Erie’s natural beauty and biodiversity are preserved for years to come.

The Anna Shelter

The ANNA Shelter in Erie, PA, is a nonprofit animal rescue organization dedicated to helping homeless, abandoned, and abused animals in the community. Since its founding, the shelter has become a safe haven for animals in need, providing medical care, shelter, and a chance to find a loving home. The ANNA Shelter rescues a wide variety of animals, including dogs, cats, horses, and even farm animals, working tirelessly to rehabilitate them and prepare them for adoption.

The shelter is important to the Erie community because it offers a compassionate solution to animal homelessness and cruelty. By providing vital medical treatment, behavioral rehabilitation, and adoption services, the ANNA Shelter helps reduce the number of stray animals on the streets and alleviates the burden on local animal control resources. Additionally, the shelter plays a critical role in educating the community about responsible pet ownership, animal welfare, and the importance of spaying and neutering pets to prevent overpopulation.

Donations are essential to the ANNA Shelter’s continued success. As a nonprofit, the shelter relies heavily on community support to cover veterinary expenses, daily care, facility maintenance, and emergency rescue operations. Contributions, whether monetary or in the form of supplies, help ensure that the shelter can continue to provide life-saving services to animals in need. By donating, people can directly contribute to the shelter’s mission of giving Erie’s animals a second chance at a safe and loving home.

Project Love

Project Love Inc., based in North East, PA, is a nonprofit organization founded on the belief that every child deserves a joyful Christmas. Started in 1985, its primary mission is to ensure that children from families facing financial hardship receive holiday gifts and experience the joy and magic of the season. Project Love provides toys and clothing based on the kids’ holiday wish lists, creating a memorable holiday experience for families who might otherwise struggle to provide one.

This organization is incredibly important because it brings hope and joy to children during the holiday season, a time when many feel the pressures of financial strain most acutely. By coordinating community support, gathering donations, and distributing gifts, Project Love helps ease the burden on parents and ensures that every child, regardless of their family’s circumstances, has the chance to enjoy a festive and happy Christmas. The organization’s dedication to spreading holiday cheer supports emotional well-being for both children and their families, fostering a spirit of community and compassion.

Donating to Project Love allows people to directly impact a child’s holiday experience. Contributions make it possible for the organization to purchase gifts and necessities, reach more families, and bring the community together to celebrate the season. By supporting Project Love, donors play a part in creating joyful memories and reinforcing the message that every child is valued and cared for, especially during the holidays.