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Provides Christmas 2025 assistance for referred individuals 62 or older and the disabled who may be in need or alone at Christmas.

Applications may be picked up November 1-21, 2025. Must be turned in on or before November 21, 2025.

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

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.

The mission of the program is to collect and distribute new unwrapped toys as Christmas gifts to children ages 0-14.

Toy application information for 2025:

10/1/25: Application open date.

11/14/25: Application close date.

10/01/25: Application response start date.

11/14/25: Application response end date.

Toy Distribution:

Starts 11/20/2025, ends 12/11/2025. Approved applicants will be notified of specific distribution dates and locations.

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.]

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 Christmas 2025:

Links people in the Columbus area with local charitable projects.

Coordinates the giving efforts of the Columbus Community, linking the giving projects with the individuals that need assistance with gifts and/or food for Christmas.

All applications are processed digitally. Visit the Columbus Area Holiday Spirit Facebook page to scan a QR code to access the online form and submit an application. Application period begins Oct 23, 2025, and the digital form must be submitted by Nov 15.

Families who are selected to receive holiday gifts or a food basket will be contacted with details regarding the pickup time, date, and location by phone or mail.

Provides food for the entire family at Christmas time and toys for children age 13 and younger.  Only available to Northern Champaign County residents.  Must provide proof of income for the last 30 days.  Proof of address needed for all members of the household (For example, Medicaid card, report card, daycare letter, doctors bill, etc.)

Registration begins November 3-22, 2025, Mon-Fri 10 am-4 pm, Sat 9 am-12 pm.  Please visit office and provided necessary documents.  

For Christmas 2025:

Christmas Dinner boxes are offered to those who have received assistance at the Genoa Food Pantry at least one time during the previous 6 months of the current calendar year. The date of distribution is determined each year, usually set for distribution about a week before Christmas.

For Christmas 2025, pre-register by calling Mary Linden at (402) 750-9249 by November 1, 2025.

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.

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.

Holiday gift program; services may vary annually.

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.

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.

Provides assistive technology for blind or visually impaired students to use in their homes.

Makes annual award to Nebraska teacher of the blind and visually impaired.

Offers a scholarship to graduating senior high school students.

Sponsors annual Christmas Party for blind and visually impaired children.

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

2025

Offers a Toys for Tots sign ups for children 0-14 years of age. All adults in the household must have a photo ID and all children must have ID with birth date. Sign ups start mid-October through mid-November. Can call or stop by the office. Toy pick-up in December.

Must register by December 5, 2025, to receive toys.

Offers free clothing, household goods and items, and food to anyone that is looking for some extra help for the holiday. The event will provide a free sit-down meal for the entire family.  

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]

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.

Holiday Adoption program.

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.