Newton's Favorite Local Charities Of 2020: List

NEWTON, MA — In a typical year, the holiday season is the time when many nonprofit organizations have to turn away volunteers.

But 2020 is not a typical year, and the coronavirus pandemic has left many local charities with fewer donations and volunteers. Earlier this week, Fidelity Charitable released a study showing that two-in-three volunteers had decreased or stopped contributing time to nonprofit organizations since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March.

The study also found that 64 percent of people weren't sure how to find or participate in remote volunteer activities nonprofits have offered since the start of the crisis.

We asked Newton Neighbors what your favorite charities are, as part of an effort to help increase awareness of the nonprofits. And boy did people answer. The top answer? Green Newton.

"Climate change is a huge issue and local is where it starts!" Sunwoo Kahng wrote, describing why she supports them.

The Newton based non-profit was founded in 1990, and since then its members and volunteers work on creating and advocating for sustainable solutions to environmental problems facing Newton and beyond. Often in collaboration with city hall, the Newton schools, and other nonprofits, according to its website.

"Green Newton’s top priority for the coming years is to protect our future by dramatically reducing greenhouse gas emissions and meeting the ambitious goals specified in Newton’s Climate Action Plan," said Marcia Cooper.

Newton residents have long indicated that addressing Climate Change is a priority in town, so much so that last year during the city council election cycle it was top issue mentioned.

"Climate Change is a crisis, and to help slow it down, we need to start with our homes, our neighborhoods, and our cities and towns," said Craig Forman.

Dan Ruben, who recently joined Newton Conservators, said unequivocally Green Newton was his favorite charity

"It has great programs that help residents live greener lifestyles," he wrote. "They help residents get energy audits, add insulation, buy electric vehicles, install solar panels and heat pumps, practice organic landscaping and more."

Other Newton charities mentioned:

Centre Street Food Pantry is a Newton pantry with a mission is to provide consistent access to nutritious food with kindness and dignity. https://www.centrestfoodpantry...

Cradles to Crayons: Www.cradlestocrayons.us

Cooperative Metropolitan Ministries: www.coopmet.org

Friends of Newton Cemetery: Is dedicated to supporting the Cemetery's historic and natural aspects through preservation and education. https://www.newcemcorp.org/fri...

Historic Newton: Is a historical society. http://www.historicnewton.org/

John M. Barry Boys & Girls Club of Newton: https://www.newtonbgc.com/

Lasagna Mamas: Grassroots group. Link Pending.

Newton Food Pantry: The oldest and largest all-volunteer food pantry in Newton, it's run out of the basement of Newton City Hall. http://www.newtonfoodpantry.or...

Newton Community Farm: The mission of Newton Community Farm is to nurture a community that teaches and models sustainable agricultural and environmental practices. https://newtoncommunityfarm.or...

Newton Neighbors Helping Neighbors: A group of grass-roots organizers just trying to get resources and volunteer hours in the hands of those who need them most here. https://www.facebook.com/group...

Newton Conservators: A local preservation group. https://newtonconservators.org...

Newton Free Library: The city library. https://www.newtonfreelibrary....

Newton Tree Conservatory: Was established in 2008 to restore, enhance and protect Newton’s Urban Forest. https://www.newtontreeconserva...

MEDA: Medainc.org

One Can Help! Created in Newton by juvenile court attorneys, social workers and concerned neighbors it provides the missing resources at-risk youth, foster children and underserved families need to remedy court concerns and improve difficult lives- across the state. https://onecanhelp.org/

Welcome Home: is a Newton based, nonprofit eco-friendly organization that collects and redistributes household items to those in need. Www.Welcomehomemass.org

West Suburban YMCA: https://www.wsymca.org/

Zamir Chorale of Boston https://zamir.org

We're collecting the responses and publish profiles of readers' favorite local charities throughout the holiday season.

If you have a favorite local charity, fill out the form below, so we can let our readers know about the work it does, as well as its current goals and needs: