This week's PatchPicks: 6 Nonprofits Making a Difference

1. Bridge Communities

Beginning with just a single apartment to provide transitional housing for homeless families, Bridge Communities now has nearly 400 volunteers working for them to provide assistance to struggling families. Whether it's just lending a friendly ear when stresses get high, or providing help getting long-term housing, Bridge Communities can find a place for you in their organization.

2. Humanitarian Service Project

With Wheaton roots in Karole and Floyd Kettering's spare room in 1979, the Humanitarian Service Project has grown its programs to serve hundreds of families in DuPage County. Its Christmas Offering serves more than 140 families with three weeks of groceries and gifts for the holidays. Other programs include the Senior Citizen Project, the Children's Birthday Project and Feed the Kids.

3. Saret Treasure of Hope

Not only is it a great thrift and antique store right in downtown Glen Ellyn, the proceeds all go to helping out DuPage residents who have fallen on hard times. For 25 years, the Saret Charitable Fund has been helping people out with rent and bill assistance—even providing gas to help people get to jobs. Saret helps out about 500 families every year, but times are tough and Saret has seen a steep decline in donations. If you're looking for a local group to volunteer at, or donate too, Saret would be a wonderful choice.

4. DuPage PADS

The mission of DuPage PADS is to end homelessness in DuPage County. The organization offers crisis intervention, needs assessment and screening, emergency assistance, life skills coaching and transition to permanent housing.

5. People's Resource Center

The People's Resource Center offers a food pantry and enrichment services to DuPage County residents including literacy coaching, computer skills, job seeking assistance, computer access and arts. 

6. Glen Ellyn Food Pantry 

The Glen Ellyn Food Pantry tends to get a lot of donations during the holiday season, but it could use the help all year. The food pantry makes a difference in many family's lives be helping out with the little things. By providing food to struggling families, bills can get paid—something especially important in these cold winter months. The food pantry accepts monetary donations which help them do their shopping on item that residents dont bring in, but non-perishable food is always welcome as well!

Next week's Patch Picks: 5 Great Local Boutiques