Santana & Vargas Charities

This non-profit channels local generosity into concrete action across Bed-Stuy and beyond. Santana & Vargas Charities sits at 617 Marcy Ave, a storefront no bigger than the block it occupies, easy to walk past if you’re not looking for the doorbell on the left. Offering assistance with food pantry access and utility bill aid, the team also hosts clothing drives on weekends and runs after-school tutoring programs for neighborhood youth.

The office doubles as a coordination hub for neighborhood cleanup events and winter coat distribution each November. Spanish-speaking volunteers staff the front desk daily, ready to guide callers to the right program or direct them elsewhere when space or criteria limit immediate help. Reach them at (718) 885-4592 for up-to-date details on how to volunteer, drop off donations, or apply for aid.

If you’ve ever wondered where all the donated baby strollers end up, this is one stop that puts them straight into the arms that need them fastest. Find step-by-step directions on their Google maps listing.