Sacramento CASA is a local nonprofit that helps children who have been removed from their homes because of neglect or abuse and placed in foster care. They are one of more than 1,000 cause-based organizations registered on The Giving Effect that are hoping to connect with new donors this holiday season.

Sacramento CASA is hoping people will donate gifts this holiday season that can be distributed to the children in their care. Kimberly Loya, the organization's Development Coordinator, writes, "These supplies are for school and the holiday season. Some of these children do not have a support system that can provide them with all of the items they need for school. They also may not receive gifts at holiday time. These items will help them feel well prepared and cared for and bring great happiness to them."

Donors use The Giving Effect to connect with charities that need pretty much everything you can spare, from clothes, food, books and shoes, to cleaning supplies, cars, fencing and lumber.

“We are working to create a greater awareness of people in need, which is especially urgent during the holidays,” says Mitchell Silverman, co-founder of The Giving Effect. “Each donation on our site becomes a living story that can be shared on Facebook or Twitter to spread the holiday spirit, encouraging friends to follow your lead.”

Other local organizations registered on The Giving Effect include the Sacramento County Animal Shelter and the Tubman House.

Donating is easy—browse the site by needs, location, and categories to find causes you’d like to connect with. Then, complete a simple form to arrange a pickup, drop off, or shipment. Tax receipts are issued via email when the items are received.

About The Giving Effect

The Giving Effect uses social media to help donors discover and connect with organizations that need items such as clothes, shoes, and food. It’s the first website to create stories around each in-kind donation that can be easily shared online to inspire others to give. The goal is to create a national movement to get food, gently-used items, and more to people in need. The Giving Effect is headquartered in Brooklyn, NY.

About Sacramento CASA

Sacramento CASA volunteers are Court Appointed Special Advocates for children – trained community volunteers appointed by a judge as Officers of the court to speak up for children in juvenile court, and to help to humanize the often frightening and confusing child welfareand legal systems for these children.

Disclosure: Mitchell Silverman is the Founder/CEO of The Giving Effect