Sign-up on the website Oct 4-18 2025

Provides an application for a holiday wish list for children ages 0-17. Community volunteers try to fulfill the wish lists.

2025 New Visions Holiday Celebration:

Community Christmas Family Sign-Up is open as of Oct 15, 2025. Families can receive Christmas gifts, books, games, clothing, and food for the holidays.

Community Christmas will be held on Sat, Dec 13 (families will sign up for a specific time when registering) at the Iowa West Sports Plex in Council Bluffs. (3260 Mid America Dr, Council Bluffs, IA 51501)

Applicants may email [email protected] or visit the website to get signed up: https://form.jotform.com/252786640707162

For Thanksgiving and Christmas 2025:

- The pantry will be stocked with holiday items for the 2025 holiday season, Mon-Fri 9 am-11 am.

- On Thanksgiving Morning, there will be an in-house Thanksgiving Meal at the Parish Center from 9 am to 11 am. A traditional Thanksgiving Meal will be served.

- There will be an in-house Christmas ham dinner on the Friday before Christmas in the Parish Center from 9 am to 11 am.

Provides gifts and a food box for families that live in Jones county that have children 12 years of age and younger that live in their household. Registration deadline is Nov. 30, 2025. To register visit our office to get a form.

Offering thanksgiving baskets for families in need on Monday, November 24th, 2025, during regular hours as supplies last. Baskets include a turkey, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, stuffing mix, cranberry sauce, dinner rolls, sweet potatoes, pie, green beans, and a roasting pan. Donations of any amount are appreciated.

Delivers a Thanksgiving meal to older adults ages 60 and older.

Individuals must order meals by November 19, 2024.

Provides gifts and clothing for the Christmas season to children of eligible households in Hancock, Henderson, and McDonough counties.

For Christmas 2025:

Due to a high number of applications received in a short time, WIRC's Project Santa program has paused applications for the 2025 season (as of 10/13/25).

A waitlist application is now available: https://wirpc.org/projectsanta. If spots open for the 2025 program, WIRC will consider households on the wait list in the order they applied.

Those who do not want to be put on the wait list are encouraged to explore other holiday programs in the area such as Toys for Tots, Angel Tree, or Shop with a Cop.

Provides Christmas gifts and a food basket to Iowa County residents. Taking applications through Fri Nov 8, 2024.

Holiday food baskets at Thanksgiving and Christmas Toy Shopping.

For Thanksgiving & Christmas 2025:

The 2025 Thanksgiving Food Basket Giveaway is held at the PCM Help Center (6800 P Street, Lincoln) on Saturday, 11/22/25. Giving away 500 Thanksgiving meal baskets to those in need, beginning at 9 am until supplies run out.

Free Thanksgiving meal Thanksgiving Day 2025 at People's City Mission (110 Q Street, Lincoln). Serving a full Thanksgiving meal to not only all of the homeless in Lincoln, but to anyone who would otherwise be alone on Thanksgiving and could use a meal. Serving at 11 am-2 pm on Thanksgiving Day. Expecting to serve around 700 meals.

Santa's Workshop Christmas Toy Giveaway for families in need will be held at the People's City Mission Help Center (6800 P Street, Lincoln) on Saturday, 12/13/25 from 10 am-12 pm. Anticipating to help over 5,000 people, including shelter guests and low-income families who shop at the Help Center. Shoppers will need to have a Clarity card to participate. Clarity cards can be obtained at the Help Center each Tuesday from 9-11 am. No appointment necessary.

2025 New Visions Holiday Celebration:

Community Christmas Family Sign-Up is open as of Oct 15, 2025. Families can receive Christmas gifts, books, games, clothing, and food for the holidays.

Community Christmas will be held on Sat, Dec 13 (families will sign up for a specific time when registering) at the Iowa West Sports Plex in Council Bluffs. (3260 Mid America Dr, Council Bluffs, IA 51501)

Applicants may email [email protected] or visit the website to get signed up: https://form.jotform.com/252786640707162

For 2025:

Community dinner on Thanksgiving Day, 12 pm-3 pm. Call to request delivery.

Sign up for Christmas food boxes and toys for children before December 1, 2025. Visit the Salvation Army at 120 South 7th Street. Applicants must bring driver's license and proof of children in their home (insurance cards, Medicaid Cards, school IDs).

Christmas food baskets/toys handed out on December 20, 2025, to those that registered.

Thanksgiving 2025

Providing free turkeys to individuals and families who visit and shop at the food pantry during the month of November. Turkeys will only be available for those actively shopping for groceries at the pantry - walk-ins requesting only a turkey will not be eligible. First come first serve basis.

Holiday hours: Pantry will close Wed at 12 pm, Nov 26, 2025, and re-open Dec 1, 2025, Mon 9:30 am.

2025

Offers holiday assistance for parents who are unemployed or underemployed. Gift and food distribution will take place at the Midwest Food Bank, 2031 Warehouse Road, Normal (off of Northtown Road, north of I-55 in Normal).

Registration is online. Starting in mid-October, visit the website or Facebook page to access the form. the form swill jol longer be available one tall spots are filled.

Distribution, Dec 13, 2025 from 8 am-11 am. This will be a drive-in, drive-out event and packages will be loaded in vehicles. Children do not need to be present to receive a gift.

2025 Information:

Offers Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day meals at Crossroads Mission Avenue. Meals start at 1 pm.

Volunteers, community groups and local businesses donate materials, food, toys and skills for seasonal holiday projects for low-income families. Provides food packages and allowances to purchase clothes, shoes, coats, and household goods.

Projects vary annually and by county office. Community members may contact their county BVCA office for details about local holiday programs.

For Thanksgiving 2025:

Offers a free meal delivered to older adults, 60 years of age or older (homebound or alone) on Thanksgiving Day. Meal consists of turkey, stuffing, potatoes, gravy, and more.

Reservations accepted Nov 3 to Nov 20, 2025.

Callers must speak with someone to make a reservation; no voice messages will be accepted. Phone lines are open on weekdays from 9 am-12 pm and 1 pm-4 pm.

Meal deliver occurs on Thanksgiving dinner. Applicant must be home to receive the meal (no meals will be left at the door).

Specific delivery times cannot be scheduled. Cannot feed families.

Offers a Toys for Tots sign ups. Toys for Tot sign-ups held November 1 through December 4, 2025. Can only sign children up that are 14 years old and under. The church will reach back out to registered clients and let them know when and where the pick up will be.

Offers an invitation to individuals to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner with others each year, usually the Friday before Thanksgiving.

Volunteers, community groups and local businesses donate materials, food, toys and skills for seasonal holiday projects for low-income families. Provides food packages and allowances to purchase clothes, shoes, coats, and household goods.

Projects vary annually and by county office. Community members may contact their county BVCA office for details about local holiday programs.