k.i.d.s. Program

Kids in Distressed Situations, Inc. (K.I.D.S.) is a national charity of leading retailers and manufacturers of children’s products committed to helping children in need.  K.I.D.S. encourages and facilitates donations of new apparel, shoes, toys, juvenile products and other items that benefit children who are ill, living in poverty, or are the victims of natural disasters.

K.I.D.S. provides high-quality donated merchandise such as clothing, shoes, books, toys and educational materials via a network of 1,000 social service agencies that, in turn, deliver the goods to children, youth and families in need.  

In 1996 Variety, The Children’s Charity in Detroit became the funder and facilitator of this program in Detroit.  Through an annual grant to K.I.D.S., Variety funds the transportation and administrative costs of supplying K.I.D.S.  merchandise to more than 92 agencies in Metropolitan Detroit.  In 2005 Variety allocated $ 1,099,981.00 of merchandise to needy children. 

For some children, a donation from Variety’s K.I.D.S. program means their very first new toy; for others, it might be new clothes and shoes for the first time in their lives; and, for many infants living in extreme poverty, it could be a safe stroller or car seat.         

Through Variety, agencies are notified of available products and then, with the cooperation of Gleaner’s Food Bank, the merchandise is distributed to the agencies which serve the needs of these children.  Distribution is usually done on a quarterly basis. 

We Reach the Most Needy – We make a difference in the lives of people in the community who require the most assistance. When families receive necessities like clothing, shoes or a crib, this might be what it takes for a child to attend school, or a baby to have a safe place to sleep.

A recipient agency reported that, when one four-year-old boy received sports-themed T-shirts, he began to cry.  He looked up at his mother and said, “Now I have a shirt just like the other kids.”