To help the needy during the holiday season, The Detroit News conducts its annual Helping Hands program, a collaboration with the United Way for Southeastern Michigan and several agencies. Here's how it works:

If you need charitable assistance this season, call 211 or (800) 552-1183 in Metro Detroit to contact the United Way 211 call center and detail your family's needs.

If you want to help the needy, call the same numbers to offer your services or donations.

Make checks payable to the participating agency and put "Helping Hands" in the memo field.

The Detroit News will feature stories of those in need twice weekly in the Metro section.

Participating agencies:

• Salvation Army: 16130 Northland Drive, Southfield, MI 48075
  26700 W. Warren, Dearborn Heights, MI 48127
  24140 Mound Road, Warren, MI 48091
  www.salvationarmyusa.org
• Volunteers of America: P.O. Box 37525, Oak Park, MI 48237
  (248) 353-4862
  www.voami.org
• The Information Center: 20500 Eureka Road, Suite 110, Taylor, MI 48180.
  (734) 282-7171
  theinfocenter.info
• Old Newsboys' Goodfellow Fund of Detroit: P.O. Box 44444, Detroit, MI 48244-0444
  www.oldnewsboysgoodfellows.org.
• Lighthouse of Oakland County: 46156 Woodward Ave., Pontiac, MI 48342
  (248) 920-6060
  www.lighthouseoakland.org/.
• Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries: P.O. Box 312087, Detroit, Michigan 48231
  (313) 993-4700 ext. 4718
  www.drmm.org