2023 Christmas Help and Assistance
Holiday Help, Resources, and Activities
The holiday season can be a time for increased stress on families, whether it be additional tension in an already difficult living condition; increasing anxiety about how to pay for necessities—rent, food, utilities—as well as some modest gifts; how to pay for additional childcare while their school-age children are out on break; or how to provide something as simple as a holiday meal.
This month, the Helping Hands Action Group provides resources on programs that families can consider for additional help so that the holiday season can be about spending quality time together and creating positive memories.
Activities and Resources
NEW! Planning for a happy Christmas for your family can be a very scary and anxious time if they lack the financial resources to properly celebrate with their children. Thankfully, not-for-profit agencies in cities and towns across the United States recognize this reality. In anticipation of this, many of these organizations come together during the holiday season to offer assistance to low-income families needing a bit of help to celebrate the holidays. Here are tips on the process and you can find your local agency by visiting United Way.
NEW! Tens of thousands of volunteers, donors, and supporters advance the Make-A-Wish® vision to grant the wish of every child diagnosed with a critical illness.
The Salvation Army provides the Angel Tree Program, Grocery and Food Assistance, Bill-Pay Assistance, and Holiday Events.
Check your local 211 directory to see what holiday assistance resources are available in your area.
The California Department of Social Services hosts a List of Food Banks and you can also find a food bank at the California Association of Food Banks. Most food banks put together the ingredients for holiday meals to help families in need.
California Free Museum Days are a fun way to get together as a family and visit cultural and historical sites, special interest and kid-friendly museums that won’t hurt the pocket book. Most museums also offer free interactive children’s’ activities.
Free and Nearly Free Kids’ Events is a great list of statewide events to consider for the holiday season and year-round.
103 Things to Do on A Money-Free Weekend is a great list of ways to have fun and not spend money.
Holiday Meals and Toy Drives for Military Families from Operation Homefront helps our veterans and their families.
The USPS Operation Santa Program has a program in certain areas where the general public is invited to “adopt” Santa letters.
AARP’s Create the Good provides guidelines (originally from The Holiday Project) to lead a group visit to long-term care facilities to help children and adults who live in nursing homes, hospitals, and other residential institutions celebrate the holidays.
The Christmas Spirit Foundation delivers trees for military families.
Need ideas for crafting? Take a look at this list of 17 Impressive DIY Gifts You Can Make With Things From Around The House or DIY Projects for Junk Around Your House. Find plenty of crafting projects for kids with this list of 13 Crafts for Kids to Make With 3 Supplies or Less, and PBS Parents has a wonderful list of Crafts for Kids that can be done with the entire family, which also incorporates conversations about science and art.
Toys for Tots is a program run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve which distributes toys to children whose parents cannot afford to buy them. Toys for Tots – Southern Division Request a Toy
Most Christmas assistance programs require registration in advance so please click either the link provided or call for more detailed information.
QUICK LINKS:
2023 Salvation Army Christmas Assistance – Donations and financial assistance provide Christmas assistance, such as dinners, clothing, and toys for needy families. Some centers run the Angel Tree Program, which offers gifts for disadvantaged children, individuals, and senior citizens. Contact: Local Salvation Army
Christmas Adopt-A-Family Programs – Those Christmas Assistance Programs, in general, have a requirement for a low-income family that is referred by a community agency and include at least a complete dinner for the entire adopted family and gifts and toys for the children, Contact: Local Adopt-A-Family
Toys for Tots – Helps less fortunate children experience the Christmas magic along with others by distributing donated toys as Christmas gifts. Contact: Local Toys for Tots
Resources by State
Alabama
Christmas Clearinghouse A Christmas assistance program run by the Volunteer & Information Center in Montgomery, AL, that assists those in need during the holiday season. Call: 334-264-3335
Christmas Charities of Jackson County Hosts adopt-a-family or child in need for Christmas and provides needy children, disabled, and elderly in Jackson Co, AL, with toys, clothing, food, and other essentials. Call: 256-575-6056
Christmas Charities Year Round (CCYR) Provides free clothes, shoes, bedding, kitchen, and other household items to needy individuals and families in Madison County, AL, year-round, and offers Christmas assistance and help by providing gifts and meals to the elderly and disabled, Call: 256-837-2373
The Salvation Army of Coastal AlabamaChristmas assistance registration usually starts in October each year. The Salvation Army of Coastal Alabama is located in Mobile, AL, and accepts online and in-person registrations for the Angel Tree Program. Call: 251-438-1625
The Ministry Center at Green Springs, Birmingham, Christmas help and assistance are offered through The Ministry Center’s Share the Joy Christmas Program. This program is designed to meet the Christmas financial and social needs of families and grandparents raising grandchildren. Call: 205-326-121
Church of the Highlands, Birmingham, AL During our Christmas Mall Experience, known as Giving Hope, families will be matched with a dedicated host to assist them in choosing gifts for their children. At each location, helpers will be on hand to wrap the chosen gifts, and ministry teams will be present to offer prayers and support to each family. Call: 205-980-5577
Toys for Tots in Alabama, AL Toys for Tots, a widely embraced initiative in Alabama, strives to bring the joy of Christmas to children in low-income families by providing free toys. The program features numerous drop-off locations and events across the state, offering families the chance to register for toy assistance and allowing compassionate individuals to donate new, unwrapped gifts. Contact to Apply
Shelby Emergency Assistance, Montevallo, AL Shelby Emergency Assistance is a nonprofit in Montevallo, AL that runs projects to help people in crisis become self-sufficient. Their Project Christmas is designed to help children in the Montevallo and Wilton areas get gifts for Christmas time. Call: 205-665-1942
Alaska
Helping Holidays CSS Alaska Helping Holidays is an initiative of Catholic Social Services – Alaska, which also runs the Holiday Giving program and connects people in the Anchorage community with families in need so they can receive Christmas gifts. Call: 907-222-7300
The Mat-Su Special Santa Program This Special Santa Program helps to bring Christmas gifts to children in families in the Mat-Su Valley, Alaska. The Mat-Su Special Santa Program is run under the umbrella of Alaska Family Services Charity, and its goal is to spread the joy of Christmas throughout the Mat-Su Valley, Alaska. Call: 907-761-3770
Cook Inlet Tribal Council (CITC) Christmas Basket Program CITC organizes the annual Family Holiday Celebration, which features various cultural activities, crafts, and games and, with its Christmas Basket Program, helps more than 500 children and their families enjoy the Christmas holidays each year. Call: 907-793-3272
Seward Angel Tree Program This Christmas assistance program is run by the Seward Volunteer Fire Department (SVFD) and, for over 30 years, has been providing local kids and families with Christmas gifts such as toys, diapers, warm clothing, and household items. Call: 907-224-3445
Wasilla Homeless Committee (WHC) Adopt A Family Each year, this Wasilla, AK charity offers families in need to apply for adoption under the Adopt A Family program during Christmas time. Applications are accepted from Nov. 1 – Dec. 1, and the applicants must reside in the Mat-Su Valley. Call: 907-521-2949x
Arizona
Phoenix Children’s Project Christmas Assistance Helps children living below the poverty level in Phoenix, AZ, get toys, home-baked goodies, shoes, clothes, and other essentials, Call: 602-955-2228
Gifts of Love Holiday Program Interfaith Community Services helps Tucson, AZ, area families during the holidays by matching those who are in need with generous individuals and organizations that can provide families and kids with holiday gifts. Call: 520-297-6049
Marine Toys for Tots Foundation Tucson, AZ – Each year, this organization relies on the generous donations of the American public and corporate sponsors to deliver Christmas gifts to children. Local families can request a toy by completing the Toys for Tots application here. You can also call: 520-345-3667
Arizona’s Children Association This Christmas assistance program is run by the Seward Volunteer Fire Department (SVFD) and, for over 30 years, has been providing local kids and families with Christmas gifts such as toys, diapers, warm clothing, and household items. Call: 907-224-3445
Society of St. Vincent de Paul Phoenix, Adopt a Family Christmas Program This Christmas program allows for local families in financial need to be adopted for Christmas and provided with Christmas gifts and meals. Call: 602-266-4673
The Salvation Army Holiday Meals, Green Valley, AZ This Salvation Army Green Valley Service Center offers Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner and Christmas toy gifts for children. Call: 520-625-3888
Arkansas
The Little Rock Compassion Center An inner-city mission in Little Rock, AR, that offers a Christmas dinner and meals to homeless and disadvantaged people in the area, Call: 501-296-9114
Cabot Christmas Alliance Provides Christmas assistance for needy children and families in Cabot, AR, Call: 501-628-2706
leburne County Angel Tree, Community Action Program for Central Arkansas (CAPCA), Conway, AR Provides Christmas assistance by distributing gifts and food boxes to kids and households. Call: 501-329-3891
Sharing and Caring of Benton County, Bentonville, AR Helps local children and their families experience the joy of Christmas by providing them with holiday gifts as per their wish list and essentials that families may need. Call: 479-657-6884
Neighbor to Neighbor of Jefferson County, AR During the Christmas holidays, this non-profit organization provides Christmas food boxes for low-income families in Jefferson County, Arkansas. Call: 870-534-2883
California
Santa to the Sea, Toy Give-Away A running event, toy drive, and community fundraiser is held each year to collect toys for underprivileged children in time for the holiday season; the Toy Give-Away takes place at Santa Claus Park, Oxnard, CA, Call: 805-485-7233
Community Resource Center, Holiday Baskets Program Provides North San Diego County families in need with food, coats, blankets, and gifts for children and more during the Christmas holiday season, Call: 760-753-8300
One Voice, Holiday Food Program Provides Christmas food baskets, toys, and books to families living in poverty in the Los Angeles, CA area, Call: 310-458-9961
Act of Giving Program Provides Christmas presents to families in the Pomona, CA area who were referred by the Family Resource Center in Pomona Unified School District, Call: 909-629-6142
Christmas For Everyone, Light of Grace Korean Presbyterian Church, Martinez, CAProvides really special and free assistance on Christmas day by making free meal deliveries to homebound low-income individuals and offering free dinner pickup and used clothing giveaways for struggling families in Contra Costa County, CA. Call: 925-228-2233
Family Rescue Center, Canoga Park, CAThe Family Rescue Center serves individuals and families in need in the West San Fernando Valley by providing food and clothing, including Christmas holiday food and toy distribution. Call: 818-884-7587
Operation Christmas Spirit, Lake Forest, CAThis is an Operation Help a Hero public charity annual project that supports at Christmas time military families via “Adopt” a Military Family and Gifts to Single Service Members programs. Contact to Apply
Colorado
Christmas UnlimitedAt Christmas time, distributes holiday toys and gifts for children of needy families in the Colorado Springs, CO area, Contact: Christmas Unlimited Need Help Initiative, Colorado Springs, CO area, Contact: Christmas Unlimited
Need Help Initiative, Colorado Community Church Offers assistance for the holiday season to members and attendees of the Colorado Community Church. Call: 303-783-3838
Dolls for Daughters® & Toys for Boys® Toy Shop This annual toy drive provides toys to children in Denver, Fort Collins, Longmont, Rifle, and Colorado Springs during the Christmas holidays. Contact: 303-353-8191
Outreach Christmas Party, La Puente Home, Alamosa, CO Join the Christmas party where families and kids meet Santa, get a gift, and enjoy a holiday meal. Call: 719-589-5909
Connecticut
The Christmas Program of FISH (Friends in Service to Humanity) Provides Christmas dinners for low-income families, as well as gifts for children in the following CT communities: New Hartford, Torrington, Harwinton, Litchfield, Goshen, Morris, and Bantam, Contact: Friends in Service to Humanity of NW CT
The Christmas Blanket and Bedtime Bag Give-Away Each Christmas, the charity offers the homeless and working poor in the Bridgeport, CT area blankets, and children receive a bedtime bag filled with books and toys, Contact: Bridgeport Rescue Mission
Christmas Food Baskets, East Hartford, CT A Christmas assistance program for low-income families with minor children that provides Christmas food baskets and holiday gifts. Call: 860-291-7248
Holiday Gift Giving and Adopt a Family Programs, Windsor Locks, CT Each Christmas, the Town of Windsor Locks Social Services distributes donated toys and gift cards to local children and families. Call: 860-292-8696
Christmas Wish CT This charity provides Christmas gifts to local families in need. Christmas is celebrated with a Christmas party that hosts hundreds of children. Call: 860-284-9132
Delaware
Tender Hearts Adopt A Family Delaware Tender Hearts non-profit organization offers assistance with families who have a medically fragile child, or children in Wilmington, DE area. The organization runs Adopt a Family program that provides various assistance, food, clothing and household items along with information of resources of additional services. Call: 302-234-1017
Christmas Assistance Program, New Castle County, The Salvation Army Christmas assistance via various programs is offered each year from the Salvation Army to residents of New Castle County, DE. Call: 302-472-0700
Dover Corps Christmas Assistance Program, Kent County, The Salvation Army Christmas help and assistance under the Salvation Army annual programs are provided each year to the residents of Kent County, DE. Call: 302-678-9551
Seaford Christmas Assistance Program, Sussex County, The Salvation Army Christmas assistance applications are accepted each year from the residents of Sussex County, DE. Call: 302-628-2020
Florida
Christmas Christian HELP Each year, this foundation offers community Christmas programs in central FL that provide toys to children and teens whose families are not able to give them Christmas presents. Call: 407-834-4022
Christmas Bag of Joy Provides free Christmas gifts to local Sanford, FL area children whose parents are not able to provide presents for them, Contact: Harvest Time International
Georgia
The Empty Stocking Fund Each year, the Empty Stocking Fund empowers parents and guardians of children living in poverty in the Atlanta, GA, area by providing them with an opportunity to give their children gifts at Christmas time. Call: 404-876-8697
The Secret Santa Program Each year, the Georgia Division of Family & Children Service operates a program called “Secret Santa”. The Georgia Secret Santa Program of the DFCS makes the holidays a little better for children and youth in Georgia’s foster care system. Call: 404-558-0690 | Visit: Secret Santa Program
Hawaii
Christmas Wish Program, Project Hawaii Provides local community the opportunity to sponsor a child or family for the holidays. Call: 808-987-6018
Christmas Angel Tree The Angel Tree program runs every holiday season to provide Christmas gifts for keiki and kupuna and support families in need throughout the year. Call: 808-988-2136
Idaho
Christmas Basket Giving Program, Memorial Community Center The Memorial Community Center Christmas Baskets Program is a program that is run during Christmas time, and that makes it possible to provide children and teens who need a helping hand at Christmas with food boxes and holiday gifts. Call: 208-264-5481
Illinois
Holiday Giving Program, Walter & Connie Payton Foundation Helps provide holiday gifts for thousands of in-need children and Veterans throughout the State of Illinois, Contact: The Walter & Connie Payton Foundation
Christmas Wish List, Mercy Home for Boys & Girls Each year, the organization distributes toys, books, games, gift cards, and other presents to the kids on their Christmas wish lists in Chicago, IL, Contact:Mercy Home for Boys & Girls
Grant A Wish Annual Holiday Gift Program A holiday program that provides holiday wishes to needy, disabled, and abused children for Christmas in the Chicago, IL area, Contact: Grant A Wish, Inc
Christmas Offering, Humanitarian Service Project The goal of this program is to provide three weeks of nutritious food and Christmas presents to those living in poverty in DuPage and Kane Counties, IL area. Call: 630-221-8340
ICF Season of Giving Provides holiday dinners to low-income families as well as the underserved (homeless, disabled, elderly, victims of domestic violence living in shelters, etc.) in Chicago, IL, and surrounding communities for the holidays, Contact: International Christian Fellowship
Indiana
United Christmas Service Program Assists families in need during the Christmas holiday season which are referred by caseworkers from partner organizations in the Indianapolis, IN area. Call: 317-923-1466
Columbus Firemen’s Cheer Fund Provides the needy in the Columbus, IN area with useful Christmas gifts and meaningful experience, Call: 812-390-0152
Westminster Neighborhood Ministries Christmas Baskets Program The Christmas Basket Program is designed for Westminster community needy families and usually provides three reusable bags full of groceries, clothing (including hats, gloves, socks, and underwear), two gifts per child Call: 317-632-9785
Iowa
Christmas Gifts for Children, New Each year, this organization provides Christmas gifts for children in seven Iowa counties, Contact: New Opportunities Inc.
Single Moms Christmas Dinner Single Parent Provision is a non-profit organization that offers a special Christmas dinner for single mothers living in central Iowa, Contact: Single Parent Provision (SPP)
Kansas
Christmas for Kids This program distributes Christmas presents to children as part of the Saint Francis Community Services programs in various locations in KS, NE, and OK, Contact: Saint Francis Community Services Inc.
Cars 4 Heroes Christmas Drive A popular Christmas assistance program that helps low-income, disadvantaged individuals, and veterans who do not have basic transportation and are not able to get one on their own, Contact: Cars 4 Heroes
Kentucky
Calvary Baptist Church Christmas Project This Christmas Project has been run each year since 1975 at Calvary Baptist Church during Christmas time. It helps families in need with toys, clothing, and household items gifts distributed during Christmas throughout the community. Contact: Calvary Baptist Church Christmas Project
Louisiana
The Times-Picayune Doll and Toy Fund Each Christmas, the organization distributes toys to needy families and children 12 years and under in the New Orleans, LA area, Contact: The Times-Picayune Doll and Toy Fund
Holiday Tribute Cards, Gift Twice Blessed Program The Providence House of Shreveport, LA uses donations to send Christmas Cards along with $10 per card to homeless families on their list, Contact: The Providence House of Shreveport, LA
Maine
The Christmas Program at The Maine Children’s Home Provides boxes of clothing, toys, books, and more to income-eligible families for their children who are 12 and under and who live in the state of Maine, Contact: The Maine Children’s Home
Maine Sea Coast Mission’s Christmas Program Provides Christmas holiday presents to needy families and children residing in Downeast, ME, and those isolated on the remote outer islands. Call: 207-288-5097
Hollis Christmas Program The Town of Hollis, ME, offers an adopt-a-family program and Christmas assistance and help to its residents in need, Call: 207-929-8552 ext.18
Christmas is For Kids A website that makes it easy to provide Christmas gifts for local needy children in the state of Maine. Call: 207-973-3500
Maryland
The Johns Hopkins Adopt-a-Family / Adopt-a-Senior Program A charitable holiday season activity for faculty, staff, students, and retirees of all Hopkins entities and locations. Call: 443-997-7000
Santa Claus Anonymous This organization raises money to give every child in need in the Baltimore, MD metropolitan area a Christmas, Contact: Santa Claus Anonymous
Operation Christmas Miracle and Kid-to-Kid Christmas Programs The Central Union Mission of Washington, DC, helps children and families in the area struggling financially experience the true essence of the Christmas holiday season, Contact: Central Union Mission
Massachusetts
The Santa Foundation At Christmas time, the foundation delivers gifts directly to needy families in the Franklin, MA area so that the recipients can maintain their dignity and anonymity, Contact: The Santa Foundation
My Brother’s Keeper Christmas Assistance Program A Christian ministry that delivers gifts and food free of charge to needy people at Christmas time in the Boston area south to Fall River and Cape Cod, MA, Contact: My Brother’s Keeper
Operation Christmas, Citizens for Citizens Operation Christmas distributes toys to parents of children from birth to 12 years of age to be given as gifts at Christmas and covers Taunton and Fall River, MA, Contact: Citizens for Citizens
The Children’s Holiday Fund Provides Christmas gifts to children from newborn to 17 years old in Plymouth area, MA, Contact: Plymouth Area Coalition
Cape Cod Times Needy Fund Operates Gift Certificate Program for Christmas that helps needy residents of Cape Cod, MA, and the Islands during the holidays, Contact: Cape Cod Times Needy Fund
Michigan
Lincoln Park Goodfellows With the “No Child Without A Christmas” initiative assisting needy families and children in the Lincoln Park, MI area, Call: 313-758-8728
Volunteers of America Michigan’s Heart of the Holidays Program A holiday assistance program designed to help low-income families with children, seniors, and veterans by providing food, toys, and clothing. Call: 248-945-0101
The Mission for Area People Christmas Programs This Muskegon Heights, MI charity provides needy children ages 1 to 18 residing in the community with Christmas gifts, Contact: Mission for Area People
The Good Shepherd Coalition Holiday Assistance This organization located in Fraser, MI provides Christmas assistance for people from the community, Contact: Good Shepherd Coalition
The Old Newsboys’ Goodfellow Fund of Detroit Holiday Gift Program Each holiday season, this organization distributes holiday gift boxes to children in need, ages four through 13, living in Detroit, Highland Park, River Rouge, Hamtramck, and Harper Woods, MI, Contact: Detroit Goodfellows
Minnesota
Christmas Committe Makes annual Christmas distribution of food and toys to Anoka County, MN needy families and children, Contact: Christmas Committee
Mississippi
The Good Samaritan Center Christmas Assistance Assists parents in Jackson, MS, who are working, in school, disabled, or in a training program and need assistance to provide their children with Christmas gifts, Contact: (601) 355-6276
Adopt-a-Family for Christmas Program, NCC Provides Christmas gifts for children in NCC Jackson, MS, who otherwise would not receive gifts, Contact: Neighborhood Christian Center
Missouri
Operation Breakthrough Assists needy families and kids from Kansas City, MO, get Christmas gifts and toys through the adopt-a-family program and a holiday store. Call: 816-329-5222
Santa’s Helpers A not-for-profit organization that spends the entire year collecting gifts and distributing them to needy families in the St. Louis, MO area for Christmas and Hannukah. Contact: Santa’s Helpers
Crosslines Christmas Food Baskets and Toystore The Holiday Center of Crosslines offers food baskets and toys to needy families and children in Springfield, MO, Call: 417-865-5810
Meet the Need Christmas Store Provides Christmas gifts for those in need and their children in Excelsior Springs, MO, Call: 816-630-5221
Montana
Adopt a Family, Family Service Offers a program that helps needy families in Yellowstone County, MT, to “have their children wake up to the average American Christmas with gifts under the tree and a lovely family meal,” Contact: Family Service, Inc.
Nebraska
Toyland for Kids A Christmas assistance program for kids that distributes age-appropriate holiday gifts to low-income children ages 18 and under, Contact: Center for People in Need
Christmas Holiday Program, Indian Center, Inc. Offers holiday gift programs for children in need residing in the city of Lincoln, NE. Call: 531-500-3069
CEDARS Holiday Gift Drive Helping local kids in Lincoln, NE, during Christmas holidays by having volunteers deliver collected gifts to the children in need, Contact: CEDARS
Christmas for Kids This program distributes Christmas presents to children part of the Saint Francis Community Services programs in various locations in KS, NE, and OK, Contact: Saint Francis Community Services Inc.
Nevada
HELP of Southern NevadaOffers holiday assistance in the Las Vegas, NV area through Adopt-A-Family, Turkey-A-Thon, and the Toy Drive/Holiday Assistance programs, Call: 702-369-4357
Catholic Charities Holiday Wish List Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada offers a broad range of programs, including the distribution of Christmas toys for children in need. Contact: Catholic Charities
New Hampshire
Front Door Holiday AssistanceProvides toys and warm clothing to children in need for Christmas holidays in Nashua, NH,Call:603-886-2866
New Jersey
Operation Christmas ChildDuring the Holiday season the Somerset Hills Baptist Church organizes a Christmas Packing Party. Shoeboxes packed full of toys, school supplies and personal items are delivered to kids. Bassking Ridge, NJ, Call: 908-647-7090
Christmas is for ChildrenA non-profit dedicated to providing local Basking Ridge, NJ children in need with Christmas gifts,Contact:Christmas is for Children
New Mexico
Albuquerque Adopt-A-Family Provides needy New Mexico families with help during the Christmas holiday season. Call: 505-881-4292
New York
Christmas Bureau DistributionThis program of Catholic Charities of Onondaga County offers eligible low-income families gifts and food at Christmas time,Contact:Catholic Charities of Onondaga County
New York Cares Winter WishesEach year, volunteers provide tens of thousands of holiday gifts to New York children and families in need,Contact:New York Cares
House of Mercy Christmas Drive Each year at Christmas time the House of Mercy distributes donated gifts and toys to Rochester, NY families in need. Call: 585-546-2580
St Luke’s Mission of Mercy Provides new toys for Christmas to children in need up to 15 years of age in the Buffalo, NY area. Contact:St Luke’s Mission of Mercy
New York Catholic Charities Adopt-A-Family Holidays Program – Each year serves hundreds of families during the holidays. It provides holiday gifts and winter necessities. Call: 888-744-7900
North Carolina
Kids First of the Carolinas This grass-roots charity offers an annual Christmas party for homeless and underprivileged children in Charlotte, NC, where, along with food, it distributes donated gifts and toys, Call: 704-995-5679
Wake County Holiday Cheer Program –The program is matching Wake County, NC children and seniors in need with community sponsors who provide Thanksgiving and Christmas meals or gifts,Call:919-212-7083
Saint Nicholas ProjectProvidesgifts for Christmas to children of the needy families that Eblen Charities serves in Asheville, NC,Contact:Eblen Charities
Operation Red SleighAssists families in Randolph County, NC, who are in need by providing gifts and hot meals to their children at Christmas time,Contact:Operation Red Sleigh
North Dakota
The Holiday Clearing Bureau Giving TreeA campaign that coordinates the collection and distribution of Christmas gifts for disadvantaged individuals in Cass and Clay counties, ND,Contact:
Giving Tree of Hope and Toys For Tots ProgramCollects and distributes gifts to disadvantaged children and adults in Fargo, ND, who have special needs and who would not otherwise receive gifts during the holiday season,Contact:FirstLink
Ohio
Community Santa Program, Lake County, OhioThis holiday program is collecting gifts anddistributingthem to the children in custody and needy families the agency is serving,Call: 800-899-5253
Christmas for Kids, For Love of Children (FLOC)Volunteers bring gifts on Christmas Eve to the homes of needy children in the Dayton, OH area,Call: 937-223-3562
Season of Hope and Toys for Joy The Victory Ministries, Columbus, Ohio, provides Christmas food baskets and brand-new toys to local children and families in need. Call: 614-252-2500
Oklahoma
Christmas for Kids This program distributes Christmas presents to children as part of the Saint Francis Community Services programs in various locations in KS, NE, and OK, Contact:Saint Francis Community ServicesInc.
A Very Giving Christmas Oklahoma City families selected through Catholic Charities and Sunbeam Family Services programs get Santa Bucks based on the size of the household, which allows them to purchase gifts for their children from St. Nick’s Shoppe, Contact:Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City
Christmas for Children, Stillwater Noon Lions Club Each Christmas, the club takes local Stillwater, OK, children from lower-income families shopping for Christmas gifts, Contact: Stillwater Noon Lions Club
Oregon
Christmas Family Adoption Foundation –Partnering with service agencies to connect people in the Portland, OR community to local families in need.Contact:Christmas Family Adoption Foundation
Sharing Hands Christmas Dinners Program Christmas dinner basket and presents for eligible low-income families that live in the Central Linn School District, City of Halsey, OR, Call: 541-466-3003
Human Solutions Holiday StoreThis program allows needy parents in Portland and Gresham, OR areas, to select free gifts for their children,Contact:Human Solutions
Pennsylvania
Holiday Hope Dedicated to Christmas, assisting the neediest families in the Lancaster, PA area, Contact:Holiday Hope
Christmas Gifts for Kids Diocese of Scranton Catholic Social Services distributes toys to kids in need throughout Lackawanna County, PA, in December. Call: 570-207-2238
Pennridge FISH Christmas ProgramProvides unwrapped toys, gifts, gift cards, hats, scarves, and gloves for Christmasto needy children in the Perkasie, PA area,Contact:Pennridge FISH Organization
Rhode Island
The Holiday Giving Program of North Kingstown, RIThe program focuses on providingChristmas gifts for eligible children in families experiencing hardship thatare unable to provide the gifts themselves, Call: 401-294-3331
Adopt-a-Family, Woonsocket, RIThis program’s mission is to locate people in the community who can provide clothes and toys to needy children in Woonsocket, RI, during Christmas time. Contact: 401-766-2291
Hasbro Children’s Holiday Hope Fund–Designed to support needy children and their families in Rhode Island at Christmas time,Call: 800-255-5516
South Carolina
HALOS Holiday Giving The program matches sponsors to provide gifts to needy children in Charleston County, SC for Christmas, Contact: 843-990-9570
Christmas for Kids Program, Laurens County Sheriff’s OfficeThis Sheriff’s Office conducts fundraisingthroughoutthe year to be able to provide Christmas presents and food to needy children in Laurens, SC area,Contact:Laurens County Sheriff’s Office
South Dakota
Sharing Christmas–This program coordinates the distribution of holiday assistance to needyfamiliesin the Sioux Falls, SD area,Contact: The Community Outreach
Sioux Falls Cares Christmas Program Provides Sioux Falls, SD, food, clothing, toys, and necessities to local needy children for Christmas, Call: 605-679-0164
Tennessee
Forgotten Child Fund “Santa Train” –Each Christmas, Santa Train delivers toys and food to selected needy families in Chattanooga, TN,Contact:Forgotten Child Fund
Dear Santa ProgramWith the help of the Knoxville, TN community, the program provides holiday gifts for local children in need that are up to 18 years of age,Contact: 865-637-9711
Texas
Houston Children’s Charity Christmas Program –Through Adopt-A-Family, Annual Christmas Party, and Toy Distribution, this charity helps thousands of needy families in and around the Greater Houston, TX area,Contact:Houston Children’s Charity
Adopt-a-Family Gift Distribution, WHAMThis annual event program in Houston, TX, offers local needy children, ten years and under, new toys for Christmas,Contact:West Houston Assistance Ministries
Give the Gift of Christmas PresentsA program by Star of Hope Mission, Houston, TX, that uses donations to provide Christmas toys for needy children. Call: 713-748-0700
Elf Louise Christmas Project Each year at Christmas, Santa Claus delivers presents to needy children and families in the San Antonio, TX area. Contact: Elf Louise Christmas Project
Christmas In the Neighborhood – Select families in the Greenbriar community who are in need will receive Christmas presents. Contact:Cowboy Santas
Utah
Christmas Food GiveawayHelps low-income people in Salt Lake City and throughout Utah,Contact:Crossroads Urban Center
Vermont
Chances For Christmas This charity organization offers Christmas gifts in Essex Junction, Vermont-based on a first-come, first-served basis, Call: 802-324-4995
Brandon Area Christmas Toy Project A Christmas program covering the Brandon area, VT, that provides toys, gifts, and warm jackets to local kids who need them, Contact: Brandon Area Christmas Toy Project
Virginia
Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Christmas Mother Program –Distributes Christmas gifts to needy recipients in the Chesterfield, VA area,Contact:Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Christmas Mother
Bedford Community Christmas StationA charity organization that assists low-income families at Christmas time in the Bedford Community,Virginia,Contact:Bedford Community Christmas Station
Washington
Bellevue LifeSpring’s Adopt-A-Family Program– Matching families who need help during the Christmas holiday with sponsors in Bellevue, WA area, Contact:Bellevue LifeSpring
Christmas HouseA non-profit organization that provides toys and essentials to low-income families during the holidays in Everett, WA,Contact:Christmas House
West Virginia
Mountain Mission Christmas Basket Program –Provides eligible families in Charleston, WestVirginia, with a food basket that contains a 14lb turkey, 10lb bag of potatoes, canned vegetables, fruit, sugar, cranberrysauce, stuffing, bread, cereal, candy, and a gospel tract,Contact:Mountain Mission
Wisconsin
Catholic Charities Christmas ProgramOffers Christmas assistance to Wisconsin families needing help during the holiday season,Call: 888-212-4357
Wyoming
Christmas For KidsEach year, this foundation runs a magical event where local kids, hand-selected by their school counselors due to extreme need, join a volunteer shopper to check off a Christmas assistance and help list mostly comprised of basic clothing needs for the kid and their immediate siblings,Contact:Christmas for Kids Foundation
Operation Homefront, Holiday Meals for MilitaryDistributes Christmas holiday meal kits to military families in various active duty bases located nationwide – the meal kits include everything needed for a holiday dinner, such as a turkey, gravy, cranberry sauce, stuffing, vegetables, plus additional food for a holiday breakfast,Contact:Operation Homefront
Holiday Helpers of Cody, Wyoming This charity organization helps Cody, WY families, and senior citizens in need during holidays. Call: 307-899-4936
Check Your Eligibility
Helping Hands Action Group assists eligible hardship victims who need a helping hand. We have no affiliation or relationship (financial or otherwise) with any political party, government agency, or any other outside group or persons. We focus on private programs that work directly with individuals one-on-one. Our goal is to provide financial and emotional support to our needy families across America. We are devoted to serving the families most in immediate need. We address the gaps in the government support to address critical needs facing our families through our Everyday Needs Program. These programs aid with mortgage/rent, utilities, car payments, further education, health and auto insurance discounts, medical emergencies and more.
Our Mission is to help those who want to help themselves who have become displaced as a result of unexpected hardships. Our goal is to increase citizen access to benefit information, resources and discount programs through Vision, Compassion, and Empathy. Helping Hands Action Group will continue to invest in technology, programs and personnel which will help meet the challenges of change that lie ahead in caring for our national population.
We will continue to empower lives, creating opportunities and strengthen the bond of humanity.
Our site's core function is the eligibility prescreening questionnaire. Answers to the questionnaire are used to evaluate a citizen’s situation and compare it with eligibility criteria for more than 100 different benefit and assistance programs. Our site also features a recommendation engine that customizes the user’s search for benefits based on their location or interest in a category.
The Helping Hands Action Group will continue to invest in technology, programs and personnel which will help meet the challenges of change that lie ahead in caring for our senior population.