Everyone needs all the help they can get during the Christmas season because the holidays can be incredibly stressful. When the holiday season is combined with financial worries, it can be difficult for anyone to handle. Churches are aware of this and offer assistance to those most in need. There are many churches that help with Christmas, regardless of religious affiliation.
Salvation Army
Volunteers with the Salvation Army's red kettles are commonplace in front of retail stores nationwide during the holiday season. The Salvation Army is one of the churches that help with Christmas by providing Christmas dinner, toys, and clothes. Local families, seniors, jobless individuals, and others can apply for seasonal aid. They also give Thanksgiving meals and provide food, clothing, toys, and financial assistance to needy families.
Find out what help is available in your area by contacting your local branch of the Salvation Army. Register as early as October to improve your chances of receiving assistance. Each year, funds are donated to The Salvation Army Christmas charity program, which benefits disadvantaged families, seniors, and the homeless.
If you want to learn more, check out our article about Christmas assistance for poor families.
Catholic Charities
Catholic Charities is another one of the churches that help with Christmas by offering assistance to children, adults, and families in need. These charities provide food, clothing, and household items like pots, dishes, linens, and bedding. If you need assistance from Catholic Charities, any of its groups should be able to direct you to the right place.
Families in need can receive Christmas gifts, Thanksgiving meals, cold-weather clothing, and household goods from Catholic Charities. The organization also provides financial assistance and operates a food pantry. Catholic Charities assists individuals and families during the Christmas season.
Visit their national website, enter your city, state, or ZIP code to find assistance, and contact your local Catholic Charities office. If you have any questions, the representative should be able to answer them and provide detailed instructions on how to get help.
Adopt A Family
As part of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul's Adopt A Family initiative, privileged families are encouraged to spread Christmas cheer. The Adopt A Family program matches homeless families with generous donors willing to adopt them. In addition to brightening the holidays for financially struggling families, Adopt a Family also offers donors the privilege of making a significant donation.
All members of the needy family put together a wish list. The wish lists and other information is sent to matched donors every November 5. By doing so, donors save time and enjoy shopping more.
Christmas SPIRIT Foundation
A popular Christmas SPIRIT Foundation program, Trees for Troops, provides recognition and support to troops. Kids and families are encouraged to give as part of Christmas programs and low-income families receive assistance. In 2005, the foundation began as a charitable division of the National Christmas Tree Association, a nonprofit trade association for farm-grown Christmas trees. Along with Trees for Troops, the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation has offered college scholarships, teaching materials online, and hurricane relief.
Through its registration as a 501(c)3, CSF participates in the Combined Federal Campaign, the world's largest and most successful annual workplace charity campaign, which raises millions of dollars every year through more than 200 campaigns nationwide and internationally. Federal civilian, military, and postal donors contribute to CSF and other health and human services organizations during the campaign season.
Family Giving Tree
Over 250 agencies in the Bay Area, California, provide them with the names and wishes of the children they serve to the Family Giving Tree’s Holiday Wish Drive. Each child receives a wish card with details about their age, gender, first name, and the gift they would like to receive. They display wish cards in the lobby areas and public spaces of many businesses, schools, and organizations in the Bay Area. Throughout the years, the success of this program has been attributed to the generosity of customers, employees, and students. Families are not directly served by the Family Giving Tree, but rather by northern California's regional social services agencies. For further information, contact the Social Services office closest to you. Be sure to visit their "Who We Help" page before contacting them.
Want to explore more avenues for financial aid? Our latest blog post guides you on securing free money from the government through hardship grants. Dive in to find out how you can ease financial stress and enjoy a happier holiday season.
There are also programs that give away free stuff like refrigerators to low-income families, to learn more check out our article about free refrigerator programs for low-income families.
Are you interested in learning more about different grants and programs that can help you with your living situation? Check out the rest of Gov Relations’ blog section today!
