Adopt-A-Family FAQs
What is the Adopt-A-Family program?
This program focuses on under served families from NIP's Youth Program. Sponsors "adopt" a family and provide newly purchased wrapped gifts and food to the families during the holiday season. This is a great way to do something that is really appreciated and needed by the families we serve.
Who are the families?
Typically, the families are single parent families that are involved with one or more of NIP’s Youth Programs; a program that focuses on academic achievement, youth development, and family support services. Many of the families involved are struggling economically and require some assistance to provide special gifts and food for the holiday season.
How does the program work?
Individuals or groups desiring to adopt a family are "matched" with a family in need. The sponsors are then given a brief description of the individuals being adopted, along with the first names and ages of each person. The family members each fill out a "Wish List" listing up to seven items (five under $20.00 and two under $50.00). Sometimes children (and some parents) get carried away and ask for expensive items. Please don't be offended by this. Sponsors are NOT obligated to buy everything on the list. Once the families have received their gifts thank you cards are written and forwarded to the sponsors.
What is the cost involved?
It is difficult to put an exact cost on adopting a family. It depends on the sponsor's resources as well as the needs of the family. We do ask that at least two gifts be given to each family member, as well as food for the entire family. If this is not possible, we can still work something out. When providing food for the family, a gift certificate to a grocery store works best. The sponsor may also give non-perishables in conjunction with a smaller gift certificate for perishables (such as a turkey or ham).
How does the family receive the gifts?
We ask sponsors to wrap and label gifts. Gifts and food are then to be brought to the NIP North Office located at 3333 North 4th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55412 located inside the Center for Families Building. Parking is available in the south parking lot. Upon entering the door take a left and proceed to the reception desk and ask for NIP Office. The office is open from December 3rd to December 19th. We have a family event on December 15th and it is preferred that the gifts are dropped off by then but if not we will make arrangements as needed. We are in the office between the hours of 9:30 AM and 4:30 PM (other arrangements can be made if sponsors are unable to deliver or wrap gifts). For confidentiality reasons, the sponsors and families do not meet and the family is not told who has adopted them. Gifts are either picked up or dropped off with the families just before the holiday.
Anything else I should know?
If your group or organization has raised more funds than are needed to adequately adopt its family, consider creating a care/gift package for the entire family. Some examples include: hats, mittens, gift certificates (to Target, for example), or other practical items such as shampoo, toothpaste, personal care products, etc. Past sponsors have sometimes wrapped such items in a “gift basket”. These are always needed and appreciated by the families. If you are unable to adopt a family, single donation(s) by sponsors are also accepted and given to families that were unable to be adopted.
For more information, please call 612-276-1522 or email [email protected]
What is the Adopt-A-Family program?
This program focuses on under served families from NIP's Youth Program. Sponsors "adopt" a family and provide newly purchased wrapped gifts and food to the families during the holiday season. This is a great way to do something that is really appreciated and needed by the families we serve.
Who are the families?
Typically, the families are single parent families that are involved with one or more of NIP’s Youth Programs; a program that focuses on academic achievement, youth development, and family support services. Many of the families involved are struggling economically and require some assistance to provide special gifts and food for the holiday season.
How does the program work?
Individuals or groups desiring to adopt a family are "matched" with a family in need. The sponsors are then given a brief description of the individuals being adopted, along with the first names and ages of each person. The family members each fill out a "Wish List" listing up to seven items (five under $20.00 and two under $50.00). Sometimes children (and some parents) get carried away and ask for expensive items. Please don't be offended by this. Sponsors are NOT obligated to buy everything on the list. Once the families have received their gifts thank you cards are written and forwarded to the sponsors.
What is the cost involved?
It is difficult to put an exact cost on adopting a family. It depends on the sponsor's resources as well as the needs of the family. We do ask that at least two gifts be given to each family member, as well as food for the entire family. If this is not possible, we can still work something out. When providing food for the family, a gift certificate to a grocery store works best. The sponsor may also give non-perishables in conjunction with a smaller gift certificate for perishables (such as a turkey or ham).
How does the family receive the gifts?
We ask sponsors to wrap and label gifts. Gifts and food are then to be brought to the NIP North Office located at 3333 North 4th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55412 located inside the Center for Families Building. Parking is available in the south parking lot. Upon entering the door take a left and proceed to the reception desk and ask for NIP Office. The office is open from December 3rd to December 19th. We have a family event on December 15th and it is preferred that the gifts are dropped off by then but if not we will make arrangements as needed. We are in the office between the hours of 9:30 AM and 4:30 PM (other arrangements can be made if sponsors are unable to deliver or wrap gifts). For confidentiality reasons, the sponsors and families do not meet and the family is not told who has adopted them. Gifts are either picked up or dropped off with the families just before the holiday.
Anything else I should know?
If your group or organization has raised more funds than are needed to adequately adopt its family, consider creating a care/gift package for the entire family. Some examples include: hats, mittens, gift certificates (to Target, for example), or other practical items such as shampoo, toothpaste, personal care products, etc. Past sponsors have sometimes wrapped such items in a “gift basket”. These are always needed and appreciated by the families. If you are unable to adopt a family, single donation(s) by sponsors are also accepted and given to families that were unable to be adopted.
For more information, please call 612-276-1522 or email [email protected]