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Solicits monetary donations to purchase specifically requested toys for less fortunate children in Lincoln, Nebraska, ages 1-13 for Christmas.

Works with social service agencies in Lincoln, Nebraska to qualify families.

The National Guard provides volunteers to help sort applications and distribute toys.

For Thanksgiving/Christmas 2025:

Holiday Food provides special meals during the holiday season.

Holiday Families provides support to families during the holidays, in partnership with community organizations.

Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets are offered through some Mid-Sioux Opportunity outreach offices, as well as Christmas gift distribution programs. Dates and times vary by location. Families are encouraged to contact their local office for details.

2025

Offers gifts and food to those in need for the Christmas 2025 holiday. Reach out to the local County Outreach Office for more information regarding holiday help in the area.

Provides a "Toy Store" for families who are unable to buy Christmas presents for their children due to economic conditions. Also are given a ham, potatoes, vegetable, and dessert to prepare Christmas dinner at home.

Register November 17-26, 2025, from 8 am-4 pm, at the Harlem Township, 819 Melbourne Avenue. Must live in Machesney Township.

Offers new gifts to children ages newborn to 12 years old just in time for the holidays every year. When funds allow, gift cards will be given to each family to purchase food for a holiday meal, or we provide food items such as a ham or turkey and canned goods.

Apply using the QR code on our Facebook page or by visiting the website from Oct 15 to Dec 10, 2025.

Holiday meals 2025 for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter are served at Bethel Mission's Hope Cafe (1310 6th Avenue).

Thanksgiving meals served at Hope Cafe on Thursday, November 27, 2025, from 12 pm-1 pm (no reservation required to eat at Hope Cafe). Thanksgiving orders for in-home meal delivery are from Nov 3rd - Nov 19th, 2025 at 4:30 pm or until capacity is reached. Call (515) 265-4277 or sign up at www.hopeiowa.org. Thanksgiving delivery to: Altoona, Ankeny, Bondurant, Booneville, Carlisle, Cumming, Clive, Dallas Center, Des Moines, Granger, Grimes, Hartford, Indianola, Johnston, Martinsdale, Norwalk, Pleasant Hill, Polk City, Prole, Urbandale, Van Meter, Waukee, West Des Moines, and Windsor Heights.

Christmas meal 2025 home delivery can be reserved by calling (515) 265-4277 or online at hopiowa.org. Orders will be taken form Dec 1st ,2025 - Dec 17th, 2025 at 4 pm or until full. Christmas meals are delivered to Altoona, Clive, Des Moines, Johnston, Pleasant Hill, Urbandale, West Des Moines and Windsor Heights.

Christmas can be enjoyed at Hope Cafe on Christmas day Thursday, Dec 25, 2025 from 12 pm-1 pm.

Thanksgiving Assistance 2025 - Meal vouchers will be given for Thanksgiving 2025. Must visit in person for services, first come first serve basis. Decatur County may accept up to 60 individuals. Wayne County may accept up to 25 individuals. 

** No update for Christmas 2025 as of yet ** 

CHRISTMAS ASSISTANCE - Dates to be determined - Call agency for more details Decatur County - No program for Christmas 2024. Clarke County - No program for Christmas 2024 Lucas County - No program for Christmas 2024. Monroe County - No program for Christmas 2024. Wayne County - No program for Christmas 2024. 

Trick-or-Treat in Johnston is October 31, from 6 pm-8 pm. 

Thanksgiving baskets and Christmas toy assistance for 2025 dates and times to be determined.

Christmas gifts and food in partnership with county partners.

For Christmas 2025:

As of 11/20/25, no longer accepting applications but community members may still call and see if the office might have extra gift cards to Dollar Fresh and Family Fare grocery stores in Richardson County for food for the families (distributed on December 14th).

[For Christmas 2024:

Holiday Gift and Food Basket applications may be picked up at the SENCA office in Falls City or Humboldt, starting October 28th, 2024. No applications will be accepted after November 15th at 4 pm.

For any questions, call the SENCA office: Humboldt number is (402) 862-2411; Falls City number is (402) 245-5284.]

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.

Offers Toy distribution 2025.

To register with The Salvation Army or use the link below on November 1–November 27, 2025 or You can register in person at The Salvation Army.

The actual Salvation Army toy distribution will take place at their downtown Dubuque location at 1099 Iowa St. The Salvation Army phone number is (563)-556-1573.

Visit this link to register https://saangeltree.org/

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.

Toys for Tots - Sign up opens November 3, 2025, online. For those who do not have an email or access to technology may sign up in person on November 17th and 18th. Distribution is at Salvation Army gym, and one parent does the shopping, individuals will get confirmation on date and times on when to come in to shop. 

Distribution dates are December 16th, 17th, and the 18th. With a make-up day of December 19th, 2025. 

Provides toys at Christmastime for low-income children, as well as a food voucher.

Sign Up opens November 3, 2025 Visit the website and select a county to find signup locations in the area. For those who do not have an e-mail or access to technology, there will be in-person sign up on November 17 and 18, 2025 at the Salvation Army, 747 Village Green Drive, Mason City IA on the Eastside of Menards.

Thanksgiving Dinner will be provided Thursday, November 27, 2025., 12 pm-1:30 pm at Community of Christ Church, 140 West Kanesville Blvd.

Meals are available for eat-in or delivery by reservation only. Available to Council Bluffs and local Iowa residents.

Reservations are required and must be made by phone between November 10-21, Mon-Fri 9 am-3 pm. Call St. Albert's High School at (402) 671-5202.

**Not offering a Christmas dinner this year 2025** 

Provides a Christmas Eve dinner from 12 pm-2 pm to persons in need. Sign-up begin December 1 2024, and continues until the event is full. Please call the church or email Lu to register.

Delivery is available to ONLY Cedar Rapid residents who are housebound. Must provide address. Deliveries will be made on December 24, 2024, (11 am-1 pm) Call the church to register.

Single Moms Christmas Dinner offered 5 pm Dec. 6, 2025, at Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center at the Iowa Events Center in downtown Des Moines. Includes a catered meal for single mothers and their children. Activities and programming provided for newborns to age 18. Registration is required and closes December 1, 2025. Visit website or call to register.

Scholarships may be available for those who qualify and can be requested by emailing [email protected]

Offers a community Thanksgiving meal in November. Residents may apply for special food box and toy distributions for Christmas.

- 2025 Salvation Army Angel Tree Program:

Sign-up open Sep 1-Oct 31, 2025. Apply Online at www.saangeltree.org

- Toy Shop pick-up Dec 16-17, 2025.

Helps provide Christmas gifts for children and senior adults each year. Once registered and accepted, each Angel’s Christmas wish list is shared with donors in the community, who purchase new clothing and toys for the family.

NOT ABLE TO OFFER IN 2025, possibly in 2026

Thanksgiving food basket program. Provides $35 voucher to purchase Thanksgiving food at Save A Lot grocery store. The applicant will be given a voucher at the time they apply.

Holiday baskets are offered seasonally, provided through local community support. Programs vary by location; call for information.

Holiday Adoption program.  Christmas 2026 information TBD.

[For Christmas 2025, the deadline to apply for Shelby County is December 1st.

For Monona County, deadline is December 5, 2025, and must be a client receiving services from LIHEAP. Call to make appointment for LIHEAP and then receive application for Holiday Adoption.

This program is especially designed to help families who are facing financial hardships and are unable to afford a Christmas dinner or new toys and warm clothing for their children. The Holiday Adoption Program hopes to address the needs of low-income children and families during the holidays and winter season.]