10 NGOs Where You Can Donate This Diwali To Help Give Back To Your Community

So, finally, we’re back to the most awaited time of the year, Diwali! It’s the time for celebrations of all sorts. When we’re busy with cards parties, making sweets, decorating our homes and cleaning them too! We’re so absorbed in our own festivities that we often forget that there are still some unfortunate people who’re not as lucky as us and cannot celebrate this propitious time with bliss.

So as we’re all busy with our pre-Diwali preparations where we literally throw away the things that are junk to us, but not for some. So rather than just throwing it all away, put the junk to better use and give them to the people who can pull some happiness out of it. So here are some genuine NGOs where you can donate things, to make others smile!

1. Uday Foundation

Uday Foundation was founded in 2007 by the parents of little Arjun Uday, who was born with imperforate anus and multiple congenital defects. This NGO works for the improvement of the lives of underprivileged children with urgent medical needs. Every Diwali, they reach out a helping hand to children who have to spend their Diwali in government hospitals and don’t have anything to look forward to. You can help by donating sweet boxes, crayons, colours, water bottles, juice packs, toys, storybooks, daily need products like soaps, shampoos, sanitary napkins and more. So spare a moment, go ahead and donate!

Where | Uday Foundation - Uday Foundation, 113A/1, Adchini, Sri Aurobindo Marg 
Call Them | +91 11 2656 1333
Here’s Their Website | http://www.udayfoundationindia.org/diwali/
Check Out Their FB Page | https://www.facebook.com/Uday.Foundation/

2. Smile Foundation

The Smile Foundation, set up in 2002, aims to improve the living conditions of underprivileged people from the grassroots level. Their focus areas include the improvement of the educational sector, healthcare sector and overall living conditions. This foundation had been accredited with many awards due to their constant improvement in the lives of the people. Every Diwali, they conduct donation drives to bring a smile to the faces of many - come help out!

Where | Smile Foundation - 161 B/4, 3rd Floor, Gulmohar House, Yusuf Sarai Community Centre
Call Them | +91 11 4312 3700
Here’s Their Website | http://www.smilefoundationindia.org/
Check Out Their FB Page | https://www.facebook.com/smilefoundationindia.org

3. GOONJ

Started in the late 90s, GOONJ aims at giving minimum basic clothing to people who can’t afford it. They also aim at providing clean sanitary necessities. With operations in over 21 states, this NGO understands the gap that has been created between urbanization and ruralisation, due to industrialization. This time around these guys are celebrating a Green Diwali by upcycling shreds of urban material like old jeans, shirts, cassette tapes and more into innovative products and saving the environment while trying to improve human life as well! You can also donate clothes at GOONJ. More, they have several drop-off locations where one can donate as many clothes as one wants to!

Where | GOONJ - J-93, Sarita Vihar
Call Them | +91 11 4140 1216 , +91 11 2697 2351
Here’s Their Website | http://goonj.org/
Check Out Their FB Page | https://www.facebook.com/goonj.org

4. Robin Hood Army

Volunteers at Robin Hood Army collect surplus food from various restaurants, eateries and more for all those who’re in need and are less fortunate. These peeps don’t accept any monetary donations, however, this Diwali, do something good for the underprivileged people and donate all the surplus food, sweets, delicacies and more. Spread smiles and make this festive season even more merry with a thoughtful act of kindness!

Here’s Their Website | https://robinhoodarmy.com/
Check Out Their FB Page | https://www.facebook.com/robinhoodarmy/

5. Dream Girl Foundation

Established in back in 2003, Dream Girl Foundation is one of the many known NGOs which is engaged in providing a better future for the underprivileged girls in the nation. They believe in providing education, clothing and shelter to each girl child for the better future of our country.

Where | Dream Girl Foundation - 99F, Block B Surya Vihar, Gurgaon 
Call Them | +91 9873 133 134
Here’s Their Website | https://dreamgirlfoundation.ngo
Check Out Their FB Page | https://www.facebook.com/dreamgirlfoundation

6. India Food Banking Network

Sweets are the essence of Diwali, so when you’re stacking boxes upon boxes of sugary treats and snacks to give to friends, save some for those less fortunate. One can share yummy meals and sweet boxes or make up your own special Diwali Box and share it with those who are in need and make them feel amazing this festive season!

Here’s Their Website | http://www.indiafoodbanking.org/
Check Out Their FB Page | https://www.facebook.com/IndiaFoodBanking

7. Asha Bhawan

Asha Bhawan Trust of India is an NGO wanting to restore broken lives, especially for those who are homeless and are unfortunate addicts. It first was set up in Gurgoan in 1999 and is now spread all over the country.  They take care of more than 450 men, women and children in an alcohol, drug, and tobacco-free environment in 30 houses spread out in 14 cities in 12 states across the country. They accept a donation of all sorts like old shoes, clothes and more. So, please don’t hesitate to do a good deed today!

Where | Asha Bhawan - Asha Bhawan Building, Kadipur Industrial Area, Pataudi Road, Gurgaon 
Call Them | +91 124 4221 543 & +91 9250 928 910
Here’s Their Website | http://ashabhawan.org/

8. Sarvahitey

Sarvahitey is a Noida-based NGO that aims at providing education for the underprivileged. They have donation drives all through the year. They believe that if provided with education, people can become much better versions of themselves. This Diwali, they’re hosting - Gift A Book This Diwali where you can light up someone’s life by gifting them books. You can buy a book, send it over to Sarvahitey and these guys will open libraries for small kids, youth and ageing grandparents. The libraries will be opened in such areas where access to books is next to negligible - how sweet is that?! 

Where | Sarvahitey - F-56, Sector-51, Noida
Call Them | +91 7982 580 798
Here’s Their Website | https://www.sarvahitey.org/
Check Out Their FB Page | https://www.facebook.com/sarvahitey

9. Share At Door Step

SADS is an organization that helps you get connected with the desired NGOs. One can simply contact them for a pickup and they will send your donations to the specified locations, thus saving you time and helping you give back to your community. So, all you people caught up in the festivities, don’t worry! Don’t let this come in between you helping spread smiles among a billion people. Go ahead and donate, guys.

Call Them | +91 8884 784 742
Here’s Their Website | http://sadsindia.org
Check Out Their FB Page | https://www.facebook.com/sadsindia

10. Feeding India

Established in 2014, Feeding India, with more than 22,500 volunteers present across 100 cities in India, has fed more than 30 million people in need. Their hunger heroes redistribute surplus healthy meals to the deprived lot. So this Diwali, while you’re cleaning up your wardrobes and find all those dresses or other clothes that you don’t wear or don’t fit you anymore, consider donating them away to these people. You can also give away other stuff including food, bags, shoes and more to make a difference.

Call Them | +91 9871 178 810
Here’s Their Website | https://www.feedingindia.org/
Check Out Their FB Page | https://www.facebook.com/feedingindia/

A quick tip: Please keep in mind that while donating anything except for money, all the items should be usable and not for disposal. Happy donating!