Rubye’s Kids empowers children in need, especially those experiencing homelessness, by providing educational and personal care items, as well as joyful, enriching experiences that promote strong values, education, respect for self and others.
We are always in need of volunteers as well as financial donations. All of our work is accomplished by our all-volunteer working board.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Duffle Bag Project: Annually on Martin Luther King Day Rubye’s Kids fills spacious duffle bags with new toiletries a fluffy pillow, a colorful positive affirmation pillowcase, culturally appropriate art supplies, biography of MLK, a small stuffed animal all for comfort during a challenging time.
Cozy Kids: Our reusable logo bags will be filled with that new cozy blanket, PJ’s (sized for each child), a new towel, and a Covid-friendly mask.
Spring Initiative: Each RK drawstring bag is filled with some practical and some fun items to begin the new season. Included are: an insulated water bottle, baseball hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, toothbrush, toothpaste, an umbrella, bubbles, jump rope, activity book, and crayons all packaged in a drawstring bag in preparation for summer programs. Let the fun begin!
Summer Enrichment: We have equipped the shelter children with requested electronics (tablets, flash drives, webcams, headphones, etc), bikes, sprinklers, museum and zoo outreach programs, sports equipment (T-ball, Whiffleball, bowling, badminton, etc.), and much more so that summer is both safe and fun.
Back to School Backpack Project: Each August, Rubye's Kids fills 500 new backpacks with the essentials, all brand-new, for elementary and high school students who living in Philadelphia homeless shelters and communities in need.
Donate Warm Winter Coats: Rubye's Kids provides new coats to at least 500 children every year, all properly sized and delivered before the first snowfall.
Bring holiday joy to hundreds of Philadelphia children: Our signature event, Holiday Party, where 500 elementary school children in need received toys, hats, gloves, books, school supplies, craft kits, and more: awareness that they have not been forgotten. More recently, the holiday "Party in a Bag" initiative brings the spirit of love directly to shelters and community centers.
Please visit our website for the latest information on our available volunteer opportunities.