Grants special requests to individuals in the Lincoln community.

For Christmas 2024, submit nominations on behalf of friends and family who are in need and/or deserve a special favor. 10 families or individuals will be chosen, and wishes will be granted in December.

Application forms available online only. The deadline is November 15th, 2024.

Holiday baskets for Thanksgiving and Christmas

For eligible families, a holiday food basket will be prepared upon request. Visit in person to register for a food basket.

Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets (Signup Dates are November 1st through November 27th, 2025)

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.

Food for emergencies. Donations accepted from area churches, groups, and schools.

Free food pantry outside front door of Hickman Presbyterian Church also available at 300 East 3rd Street in Hickman.

Holiday baskets for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.

For Thanksgiving and Christmas, people who use the pantry during the year are given holiday baskets. Call or visit the pantry for information about basket distribution dates and times.

Thanksgiving 2025: Dinner served 5:30 pm-6:30 pm.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2025: Lunch served 11:30 am-12:30 pm, dinner served 5:30 pm-6:30 pm.

Holiday gift program; services may vary annually.

Provides holiday food assistance to those in need.

Thanksgiving 2025 bonus items will be offered during regular shopping hours to registered clients during the month of November.

Christmas 2025 assistance available with traditional Christmas Meal Box and Christmas Gifts for Kids to registered clients in December. December Blessings registration begins on Wednesday, October 1, 2025. Deadline ends on Wednesday, November 19, 2025.

Pickup is Friday, December 12, 2025

To qualify:

If client has used this pantry's services for the last three months and resides in the Waukee School District and has recently provided a proof of residency and identification for each person in their household, they may already be qualified; please complete an online application. If this is the first time applying for assistance or client's information in WayPoint Resources system is not current, client must bring required documents to the WayPoint Resources office during food pantry hours within 10 days of submitting an application.

If client already applied at another agency:

If client has been approved or expects to be approved with another agency for their holiday program, client will be disqualified from this program. This includes, but is not limited to, West Des Moines Human Services, Toys for Tots, Shop with a Cop, Angel Tree Programs and other food or gift giveaway programs.

**Applicants are not qualified for the program until identification for each person, and proof of residency is confirmed.

Once approved, applicants will receive an email confirmation with pick up instructions, including date and time. If applicant has not received an email confirmation, please contact WayPoint Resources at [email protected] or (515) 987-5523. Please bring a photo ID in order to receive dinner boxes and gifts.

If client cannot make the assigned date and time for pick up, another family member or friend can pick up on their behalf. Please call and let WayPoint Resources know who has permission to pick up items, or make other arrangements. If client does not pick up items or make other arrangements for pick-up, their items will be given to families on the waiting list. Failure to pick up may disqualify client's family from future programs.

2025

Provides holiday foods shoppers can choose to cook a holiday meal. This is not a food basket or meal.

Groceries will be on a first-come, first served basis, December 15th-20st, 2025. There is no registration required.

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 Christmas 2025:

Families who live in Sarpy County with children (ages 0 to 14) who meet low-income guidelines can apply for assistance with receiving new toys for their children.

Applications will be accepted at the three locations listed below. If unable to visit those locations, applicants may contact Tandra at (402) 593-2347 to schedule an appointment for their application.

No walk-ins are permitted; appointments are required throughout November (from Tuesday to Friday, 9 am to 3 pm). The address for completing an application will be provided when making an appointment.

2025 Registration Locations:

- First Baptist Church (Do not call church for information) - 112 East 23rd Avenue, Bellevue. Thu, Nov 6, from 12 pm-6 pm.

- St. Columbkille Church (Do not call church for information) - Sacred Heart Center, 542 North Jefferson Street, Papillion. Tue, Nov 4, from 9 am-3 pm.

- Bellevue Christian Center (Do not call church for information) - 1400 Harvell Drive, Bellevue. Sat, Nov 1, from 9 am-1 pm.

Documentation required:

- Photo ID for head of household (person applying).

- Proof of address in Sarpy County, dated within the last 30 days; current utility bill preferred (OPPD, MUD, Black Hills Energy), or letter from Nebraska DHHS.

- Proof of ages of children (must have at least 1 child age 14 or under living in the household): children's birth certificates, or current Medicaid card (with birth date), or school enrollment forms.

- Proof of total household income: pay stubs for last 30 days, or Social Security 2025 Benefits Letter, or unemployment letter, or Nebraska DHHS Economic Assistance/Medicaid eligibility letter.

Applicants will know on registration day if they are approved.

For questions, call Amanda at (402) 682-6602.

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 Christmas 2025:

Winter holiday celebration and activities, including gifts for children, free photos with Santa, face paintings, and more. Occurs annually in December.

Tickets will be available starting at the end of October until Nov 30, or until sold out. Tickets are $1 and can be purchased in advance only at Rising View's leasing office (Offutt AFB).

Event is held Fri, December 5th, 2025, from 6 pm-8 pm, at the Offutt Event Center (formerly the Warhawk Community Center).

All children age 12 and under receive an age-appropriate gift.

This is not a public event. Event is open to enlisted Active Duty and enlisted Retired Service members and their families only. No entry without a ticket.

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

Matches low-income families with organizations that want to adopt a family for Christmas. Families provide a list of the wants/needs of the children. Registration runs November 3-7, 2025, from 10 am-4 pm and on November 8, 2025, from 10 am-2 pm.

Christmas food baskets, vouchers, and gifts for children.

For Christmas 2025:

Provides a child's toy and clothing of choice, hats and gloves and coat (if needed), food for the family, and other items.

As of Oct 17, 2025, individual applicants and/or those wishing to inquire on behalf of an individual/family who may benefit from the program may send a message through the Caring Cupboard's Facebook page or call and leave a message at (308) 928-2264.

2025

Toys for Tots Nov 1st - Nov 30th through Bond of Unity (New Beginnings Discipleship Ministries). To qualify you only need to complete the form below. Please know that families are only permitted to register at 1 Toys for Tots location. Signing up at more than 1 Toys for Tots site can disqualify you from being able to receive any toys.

Toys will be available to be picked up at 530 NE Broadway (NE46th), Des Moines, IA on Friday, December 12th 5-7pm and Saturday, December 13th 10am - 2pm.

Please select the time and date that works best for you below. Please complete the form using your most current information. In order to be able to serve more families we will not offer a "shopping" opportunity. Toys are prepacked based on the information given below and will be given out in a drive-thru format.

2025 Toys for Tots Registration Form

(This form is specifically for the Toys for Tots program which is not affiliated with "adopt a family" programs at other organizations. Specific toys cannot be requested as we have no control over what is being donated by generous members of the general public.)

For the 2025 holidays:

Food baskets provided in December (delivered Sat, Dec 20, 2025). Call Sat, November 8, 2025, 9 am-2 pm to register. Call on this date only.

Baskets containing food for a holiday meal and gifts for children ages 16 and under.

Sign Up is the last full week in October, with varying hours.

Distribution of baskets takes place the Wednesday the week prior to Christmas.

Must live with in the area between Brady Street & Lincoln Avenue and River Drive to Kimberly Road.

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.

2025 Information:

Registration during regular food pantry hours (Mon, Wed, Fri 9 am-11:30 am, 3rd Wed only afternoon pantry 2:30 pm-5 pm) beginning October 1, 2025, until all slots are filled. Choose a Thanksgiving or Christmas basket.

Thanksgiving community meal, served Nov 26, 2025, 11:30 am-1 pm. No registration is required; this is a sit-down, in-person meal.

Christmas assistance/toys and ham (in partnership with Toys for Tots). Registration open Oct 20-Nov 21, 2025. Sign up online at sacedarrapids.org, click on Holiday Assistance. Call for (319) 364-9131 for assistance if unable to do this. Households with children ages newborn up to 14 (on 12/25) can sign up for toys and a ham. Households without children eligible for toys can sign up for a ham.

Christmas community meal, served Dec 19, 2025, 11:30 am-1:30 pm. No registration required; this is a sit-down, in-person meal.

For Christmas 2025:

Provides a holiday a food basket and gifts for children.

Starting Oct 1, 2025, and ending Nov 26, 2025, applications will be accepted by same-day appointment only. No applications accepted after Nov 26.

Applicants must bring proof of income for everyone in the household.

To sponsor a child or family or for more information, call Carmen Trevino at (308) 635-3089.