• Contact a local agency to make sure they will accept your cookies. There's nothing worse for an agency than to receive a gift of food they cannot use. Generally a personal contact, telephone call or visit will be all that’s needed to make the connection. Be sure to ask how many cookies they will need.
(Note: Some agencies -- hospitals, for example -- cannot accept gifts of homemade food, so be sure and check. However, in our experience, Ronald McDonald Houses based at hospitals have been delighted to receive gifts of cookies.) Let the agency know that your cookies are made with natural ingredients and do not contain nuts. The Royal icing we use does not contain raw egg whites, but does contain artificial food coloring.)
• To find a recipient agency, check with your town hall or city government (call the Director of Human Services — every city and town has one, and the director will have contacts at every agency in your area), to find out if there is a food pantry, family shelter, senior center, or other program to help neighbors in need. Ask the director or a staff member in the Human Services office to make an introduction for you.
• Local houses of worship are also a good resource.
• Do a Google search for "human service agencies" or "domestic violence agencies" plus your community name or region. You'll be amazed at what you find.
• If you don't know of a local agency who might want your cookies, contact the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (303-839-1852), which represents agencies in every single state in the US, and they will help you get connected.
• If you want to involve your children in the spirit of giving, contact your local Ronald McDonald House, which serves families of critically ill children. Ronald McDonald House programs welcome visitors and community involvement, so this is a particularly good match for kids who help decorate cookies.
• If you need help finding an agency in your area, please call us at 401-567-4460. We're working on a database of recipients, but we're not there yet.
• Ask your recipient agency when they'd like to have delivery. The cookies will stay fresh for two weeks after they're decorated, if packed in a tightly sealed container (plastic or foil, with a see-through lid, available at supermarkets or big-box stores like Costco or BJs), or tightly-closed individual food-safe cellophane or ziploc bags. Add a pretty label or ribbon, to make your cookies even more joyful.
