Many people were disappointed when last month's Hereford Fall Festival was canceled because of cold, rainy weather. While they agree the decision was the right one, nonprofit groups that use the festival to raise money and awareness are now struggling.

Between the missed opportunity and the poor economy, they need your help more than ever.

For everybody who is feeling generous during the upcoming holidays, here is a listing of local and greater Baltimore area charities or nonprofit groups seeking donations.

North County

Anderson-Snyder Memorial Fund helps military families and funds two scholarships to Hereford High School students in memory of Norman Anderson and Joshua Snyder. Both servicemen were members of Hereford High School's Class of 2002 who died in Iraq in 2005. www.anderson-snyder.info.

Wish list: Make checks payable to Anderson-Snyder Memorial Fund and send to P.O. Box 608, Parkton, MD 21120.

Baltimore North Cluster Food Bank at Pine Grove United Methodist Church provides food and emergency money to needy families.

Wish list: Non-perishable food can be dropped off at food bank at 19308 Middletown Road, Parkton, Mondays and Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to noon, or Wednesdays, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. or monetary donations sent to P.O. Box 211, Monkton MD 21111.

For Our Troops sends gift packages to armed forces personnel, who have a connection to Hereford High School, and are now serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Wish list: Checks payable to Hereford High School can be sent to 17301 York Road, Parkton, MD 21120. Put "For Our Troops" in memo line.

Jacksonville Friends of the Troops, formerly Jacksonville Senior Center Council's Support our Troops, sends packages of items to military men and women in Afghanistan and Iraq. hecrita@verizon.net or 410-592-5778.

Wish list: paperback books, pens, playing cards, toothpaste, toothbrushes, disposable cameras, stationary and envelopes, music CDs, shampoo, hair products, chap stick, hard candy, quart-sized zip-lock bags and monetary donations to pay for shipping.

Hereford Food Bank at Hereford United Methodist Church provides food and emergency money to needy families.

Wish list: Donations of non-perishable food can be dropped off at food bank at 16931 York Road, Monkton, Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. A donation basket is also located at Graul's Market in Hereford. Monetary donations can be sent to P.O. Box 400, Monkton, MD 21111.

Jacksonville Senior Center serves as an educational and social center for senior citizens.

Wish list: Monetary donations to buy equipment for an exercise studio at the new Senior Center due to open at Sweet Air Park next fall. Checks payable to Jacksonville Senior Center Council can be sent to Jacksonville Senior Center Council, P.O. Box 302, 3101 Papermill Road, Phoenix, MD 21131. Put "exercise studio" in memo line.

My Children's Playground, a place for children to play, is being built in memory of North County children who have died.

Wish list: Monetary donations to purchase additional equipment for playground at new Sweet Air Park in Jacksonville. Checks payable to Baltimore Community Foundation can be sent to Baltimore Community Foundation, 2 East Read Street, 9th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202. Put "Our Children's Playground Fund" in memo line.

My Neighbors Foundation provides children with school supplies and pays for childrens' school activities.

Wish list: Monetary donations. Checks can be sent to My Neighbors Foundation, P.O. Box 477, Monkton, MD 21111. www.myneighborsfoundation.org.

Butler Volunteer Fire Company at 15019 Falls Road, Butler, MD 21023.

Wish list: monetary donations.

Hereford Volunteer Ambulance Association at 901 Monkton Road, P.O. Box 262, Monkton MD 21111.

Wish list: monetary donations.

Hereford Volunteer Fire Company, at 510 Monkton Road, Monkton MD 21111.

Wish list: monetary donations.

Jacksonville Volunteer Fire Company, at 3500 Sweet Air Road, P.O. Box 471, Phoenix, MD 21131.

Wish list: monetary donations.

Long Green Volunteer Fire Company, at 4506 Long Green Road, P.O. Box 4009, Glen Arm, MD 21057.

Wish list: monetary donations.

Maryland Line Volunteer Fire Company, at 21631 York Road, P.O. Box 70, Maryland Line, MD 21105.

Wish list: monetary donations.

Greater Baltimore area

Abilities Network, provides educational and emotional support to families during pregnancy and through the first five years of childhood. 410-828-7700 or www.abilitiesnetwork.org

Wish List: New books and basic toys such as blocks and baby dolls. No electronic toys.

Assistance Center of Towson Churches, provides emergency food, clothing, shelter, toiletries and financial help for evictions, utility turnoffs, prescriptions and transportation. 410-296-4855

Wish List: Monetary donations, volunteers, soap, toothpaste, shaving cream, razors, hand and body lotion, shampoo, toilet paper, paper towels, food certificates in $5 amounts, cereal, canned fruit, dry milk, tuna, saltines, peanut butter, jelly, canned meat, macaroni and cheese, pasta, spaghetti sauce, canned vegetables, canned or boxed potatoes, rice, pork and beans and soup.

Casey Cares Foundation, offers uplifting programs to critically ill children and their families. 443-568-0064 or www.caseycaresfoundation.org.

Wish List: $5 or $10 restaurant certificates for Ledo Pizza, Pizza Hut, Pizzeria Uno, Cracker Barrel, McDonald's, Auntie Anne's, $5 or $10 gift certificates from Target, Wal-Mart, Borders Books, Barnes & Noble, FYE, Toys R Us, Best Buy, $5 or $10 gift certificates from Hollywood Video, Blockbuster Video, AMC, Hoyts, Regal Theaters, $5 or $10 gift certificates to Three Brothers Pizza, Taco Bell, Subway, adult and infant-sized pajamas, tickets to sporting events and concerts (MD, DC, VA, DE, WV, PA) and tickets to local attractions and amusement parks (MD, DC, VA, DE, WV, PA).

Catholic Charities, offers services to people of all faiths and races who are in need. Programs are designed to improve the lives of children, families, seniors, the disadvantaged and people with developmental disabilities. 410-547-5490 or www.cc--md.org.

Wish List: New toys, gift certificates, canned foods, powdered drink mixes, pancake mixes, sugar, pasta, spaghetti sauce, paper towels, napkins; toilet paper, plastic bags, new clothing, art and craft supplies, toiletries, sports and recreational equipment, diapers, baby wipes, baby food, children's books, blankets, sheets, pots and pans, cleaning supplies and batteries.

Defenders of Animal Rights is a pet adoption center; operates a shelter for abandoned, neglected and abused animals, including farm animals; runs a wildlife sanctuary; lost and found services; spaying and neutering; humane education programs to benefit youth, senior citizens and mental health groups. 410-527-1466 or www.adopt-a-pet.org.

Wish List: Monetary donations, large trash bags, paper towels, clean sheets, towels, bleach, laundry detergent, sponges, HP #02 color and black printer cartridges, Epson #69 black and tri-color ink cartridges, colored markers, Sharp ux-c708 black ink cartridges, stamps, white copy paper, AA batteries, feline pine litter (non-clumping), dry Pedigree Small Bites dog food, canned Pedigree dog food, dry Purina Cat Chow, dry Purina Kitten Chow and Purina puppy chow, cat and kitten canned food, treats and toys for cats, dogs, hamsters, birds and rabbits.

Dream 4 It Foundation raises funds for college scholarships for high school seniors. Since starting in 2008, about $6,000 has been awarded. 443-472-3311 or www.dream4it.net.

Wish List: The Foundation welcomes contributions in support of their cause. The Foundation is also currently selling Greeting Cards to support its operations. More information is available on the Web site.

House of Ruth, Maryland is an emergency shelter for women and children that also offers community advocacy, free legal help, individual and group counseling, 24-hour hot line and abuser intervention. 410-889-0840 or www.hruth.org.

Wish List: Pampers sizes 4, 5, 6, school supplies, Pull-ups sizes 4T, 5T and 6T, baby wipes, womens hair brushes, gift certificates to Wal-Mart, Target, Safeway, Giant, etc., night shirts and pajamas (all sizes), bed pillows, bath towels and washcloths, socks and undergarments for women and children (all sizes), twin size sheets, blankets, comforters, khaki pants for girls and boys, sizes 6-16 (school uniforms), Navy blue, burgundy and hunter green polo style shirts for girls and boys, sizes 6-16 (school uniforms), household items including plates, glasses, flatware, pots and pans, toasters, white 8 1/2 x 11 copy paper, plastic storage containers with lids - small, medium and large sizes, sanitary products (pads and tampons), baby formula, baby food (stages 2 and 3), baby snacks, baby lotion, baby cornstarch powder, bar soap, baby bottles, pacifiers, baby lotion, aspirators, thermometers, baby Tylenol and Motrin, laundry detergent, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, paper products (plates, cups, napkins), tickets to movies, Maryland Zoo, Baltimore Aquarium, Port Discovery, Science Center, sporting events, vacuum cleaners, strollers, high chairs and car seats and non-perishable food. Used items not accepted.

Kennedy Krieger Institute works to improve the lives of children and adolescents with pediatric developmental disabilities through patient care, special education, research and professional training. 443-923-7300 or www.kennedykrieger.org.

Wish List: Monetary donations, craft kits for children, videos for teens (rated PG-13), video games for all ages or kids and board games.

Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital provides in-patient and out-patient care for infants and children with rehabilitation and other complex medical needs. 410-578-8600.

Wish List: Toys, clothing, arts and crafts supplies, health and beauty products, books and magazines and sports equipment.

PACT: Helping Children with Special Needs promotes the development of children with special needs and their families. 410-298-7000, ext. 1004 or http://www.pact.kennedykrieger.org.

Wish List: Toys and supplies for programs and children - art supplies, blocks, light-up musical toys, action figures, board books, puzzles, sports games, bubbles, Play Doh, dolls, diapers and clothing.

Pregnancy Center North Offers free, confidential services for women and their newborn babies. 410-377-2871 or www.pcn4you.org.

Wish List: Receiving blankets, crib sheets, baby bath towels, baby wash & lotion, onesies - sizes N -18 months, sleepers - sizes 0 - 24 months, blanket (fleece) sleepers, socks, infant hats & gloves, infant car seats, pack -n-play (port-a-cribs), umbrella strollers, diapers - newborn - size 5, baby wipes, bottles - Playtex Ventaire, pacifiers and Similac Advance Formula.

The Synder Center for Aphasia Life Enhancement's mission is to improve the quality of life for people living with aphasia and their families. 410-323-1777 or www.scalebaltimore.org.

Wish List: Wii Game Console and games to stimulate conversation and physical activity, 10 iPod Touch devices to allow members to record and present speeches for communication, and digital projector to let members view media regarding aphasia and current research on stroke rehabilitation.

TurnAround Inc. provides emergency shelter, counseling, community education, emergency room companions, legal services and a 24-hour hot line for victims of rape, domestic violence, child sexual assault and adult survivors of child sexual abuse. 410-377-8111 or www.turnaroundinc.org.

Wish List: Baby food and formula, diapers, wipes, coloring books, crayons, peanut butter, tuna with pop-top lids; and individual jellies, crackers and cereals.

Villa Maria Continuum is a residential treatment for children between the ages of 7-14. 410-252-4700, ext. 165 or msaarbac@cc-md.org.

Wish List: Board games (Trouble, Sorry, Uno), playing cards, puzzles, arts and crafts sets, footballs, basketballs, soccer balls and gift cards to AMF Bowling, Regal Cinema movies and Pizza Hut.

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