GREATER SPRINGFIELD – A non–profit is giving people in the Springfield area a chance to give in a simple and straightforward way by helping people with basic needs this holiday season.

“Essentially, in this time of giving, people think about giving back,” Jade Rivera–McFarlin, director of Marketing and Development at the Gandara Center, a 501(c)(3) non–profit that provides outpatient behavioral health, prevention, and education services in Hispanic and culturally diverse communities.

“We focus on culturally sensitive care. We’re very focused on people of color who don’t necessarily have access to these services,” Rivera–McFarlin said. The organization serves 10,000 people each year at 45 locations across the state.

Rivera–McFarlin said that they saw a need for hygienic necessities in parts of the communities they serve.

“A lot of times, people can get food or other services, but they can’t get toothpaste,” she said.

Rivera–McFarlin said some children in their programs have unstable home lives and “some people going into detox may be homeless,” noting that youth homelessness is a big problem right now in Springfield. Purchasing toiletries can be difficult in those situations.

“We wanted to find a way, besides our programs, to give back,” she said.

That is why the Gandara Center is running its first Community Care Package Drive. The Center has put out a call for toiletries of all kinds.

“So if someone comes in, you know, they have the dental floss, they have the toothpaste, they can take a shower right there,” Rivera-McFarlin said.

All new and unopened toiletries are accepted as well as cold weather necessities. While there is a list of items on the center’s website, Rivera–McFarlin said there are items they hadn’t considered, such as the feminine hygiene products donated by one person.

The drive began on Nov. 18 and will continue until Jan. 2. At that point, donations will be sorted and put into care packages. The packages will be distributed to the Gandara Center’s various programs on Three Kings Day, which falls on Jan. 6 this year. Rivera–McFarlin said they chose that day because Three Kings Day marks the end of the holiday season for many in the larger Hispanic community.

A list of some needed items follows:

• Shampoo

• Conditioner

• Toothpaste and toothbrushes

• Dental floss • Deodorant

• Brushes and combs

• Lotion

• Baby wipes

• Hand sanitizer

• Hand soap

• Body wash

• Socks

• Winter hats

• Mittens

• Scarves

Donation drop–offs are located at 85 St. George Rd. and 2155 Main St. in Springfield, 147 Norman St. in West Springfield and 80 Commercial St. in Holyoke.