Our Wishlist
CURRENT NEEDS
Bath towels and wash cloths
Diapers, size 4, 5, 6; Pull-ups, all sizes
Cold and pain OTC medicine for adults and children
Baby Wipes
Pacifiers
Body Wash and Baby Wash
Men’s boxer shorts (larger sizes)
Pots & Pans sets
Grocery store gift cards
Sippy Cups for toddlers at Bell Family Shelter
For the safety and dignity of the people we serve, we cannot accept food items or baby formula that is expired.
PLEASE ARRANGE DONATION DRIVES AND DROP OFFS IN ADVANCE
by contacting Janel Fox 717-848-5767, ext. 1515 or at jfox@bellsocialization.com
We have a Bell Socialization Services List on Amazon!
When you’re shopping on Amazon, check out our list to see what’s needed. Drop items in your cart and ship directly to Bell where it will be used by our programs to address people’s needs and enrich our ability to serve.
Feel free to use the list link to share with your group for donation drives.
updated August, 2026
MORE THINGS WE NEED RIGHT NOW and pretty much always:
Hair Brushes and Combs for all hair types
Non-Perishable Ready-to-Use Food & Drink Items – pull-top canned goods, breakfast bars, real fruit juice, bottled water. Items that can be eaten without preparation or heating are preferred. For the safety and dignity of the people we serve, we cannot accept food items or baby formula that is expired.
Towels washcloths, hand, and bath towels, new or clean, gently used
Personal Hygiene Items: deodorant (men & women), body wash, baby wash, shampoo and conditioner, Body Lotion
Large (18 to 20 gallon) plastic storage totes with lids – these help families during their stay at Bell Family Shelter to store any personal items they brought with them. Totes are often offered to families to take with them when they leave, so this is a recurring need.
Adaptive Utensils – these are particularly helpful for individuals in Bell’s IDD group homes, as well as for us at Bell Family Shelter. (See our Amazon Wish List for details.)
PLEASE ARRANGE DONATION DRIVES AND DROP OFFS IN ADVANCE
by contacting Janel Fox 717-848-5767, ext. 1515 or at jfox@bellsocialization.com
At any time of year, we generally accept the following donations in GOOD, USABLE CONDITION:
Umbrellas – Imagine waiting for the bus in the rain without an umbrella. Most Bell service users do not drive cars, relying on public transportation to get to work, job interviews, Bell programs, and doctor’s appointments. Something simple like not having an umbrella can make a big difference in how their day plays out.
Laundry & Household Cleaning Supplies (detergent, softeners, laundry baskets) (cleaners, mops, brooms, rubber gloves, sponges, empty spray bottles) These items are great for a collection drive, and easy for us to distribute to individuals and families in a bucket or laundry basket when they are setting up a new place to live.
Health Care Supplies (no outdated items accepted) – Assorted size bandages, gauze & sterile pads, medical tape, antibiotic cream, Pain Relievers (adult & pediatric), Cough syrup (alcohol free)
Hair Care items: shampoo, conditioner & styling product for all hair types, brushes, combs & picks
New Underwear and Sleepwear – all ages and sizes, larger adult sizes included
Baby Diapers and Baby Wipes – currently, we are in need of larger size baby diapers (4, 5, 6) and pull-ups. We do not need adult diapers.
Twin sheet sets (new or clean, gently used accepted), and Twin size Blankets
Bed Pillows (new only) – This is an ongoing need, as every person who comes to Bell Family Shelter is given a new pillow for the stay and may take it with them when they leave.
Your Donations Are Useful and Greatly Appreciated!
As need in our community grows and government funding sources become more scarce and less dependable, your in-kind donations of goods and services are vital to our efforts to meet the needs of our neighbors.
If we are not in a situation to accept certain items at the time you are offering, we may share them with other organizations.
We also encourage you to donate to our community partners, Re-Source York and Community Aid.
Re-Source York accepts quality home improvement and home décor items for resale at their store at 161 E. Ninth Avenue in North York. Bell benefits from the sale of these items through quarterly financial donations from RSY in support of Bell Family Shelter. Visit their website – resourceyork.org – for store hours and to learn about donating items and/or Facebook page for merchandise updates and sale/event info.
Community Aid accepts donations of clothing, shoes, accessories, electronics, toys, and household items (excluding furniture) on behalf of Bell at a rate of $0.13/pound that is translated into quarterly cash donations and Community Care Cards which we distribute to Bell service users to make purchases. Use their convenient drive-up/drop-off location at 2001 Springwood Drive, York (Queensgate Shopping Center), and let them know your donation should support Bell. Our Community Partner Number is 20015.