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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.

Thanksgiving Baskets: No Thanksgiving baskets this year for 2025. Registration is now closed. 

Christmas Toy Registration (Angel Tree) For families with children 0-15 years old: Registration is online for Christmas 2025. Applicants must register between October 27th through November 30th, Mon-Fri 9:30 am-11:45 am and 1 pm-4 pm.

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.

Thanksgiving meal assistance, applications accepted approximately 2-3 weeks before the holiday.

Christmas food and toys Christmas applications accepted from just after Thanksgiving to approximately 10 days before Christmas.

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.

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 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.

Provides breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day of the year. Special holiday meals are offered at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.

Breakfast Mon-Sun: 7:30 am, Lunch Mon-Sun: 11:30 am, Dinner Mon-Sun: 5 pm, at chapel.

Thanksgiving Meal Wednesday before Thanksgiving: 12 pm.

Christmas Meal Christmas Eve Day 12 pm.

Easter Meal Easter Sunday: 12 pm.

Local families partner with families in need to provide personalized holiday assistance, potentially including toys/gifts, and meals.

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.

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 Christmas 2024:

Christmas gifts for households with minors ages 13-17.

Online applications are from Oct 31-Nov 21. Apply at www.saangeltree.org

Required documents include state ID, proof of address, proof of income, and birth certificates for minors.

Provides a Toys for Tots sign up option for those needing help with Christmas gifts. Children must be under the age of 14 to participate. Visit the Angel Tree website to sign up: https://saangeltree.org/

Provides Thanksgiving and Christmas meals for families unable to create a meal themselves. There are two options for a meal - a homemade meal offered at the facility on the holiday or, can provide a Christmas dinner box to struggling families. Each box feeds a family of six and includes meat, potatoes, stuffing, vegetables, biscuits, cake mix and more.

Gifts and a food voucher are available to families with children ages 15 and younger and to seniors age 60+. Food vouchers are available for families with children ages 16+ and to adults without children.

For 2025 Christmas Assistance:

Registration will be done in person. Applicants must sign up at the location matching their zip code.

OMAHA CITADEL - 3738 Cuming Street:

- Monday, November 10 (9 am-12 pm and 1 pm-4 pm)

- Tuesday, November 11 (9 am-12 pm and 1 pm-7 pm)

- Wednesday, November 12 (9 am–12 pm)

- Zip codes: 68007, 68002, 68064, 68110, 68111, 68112, 68116, 68122, 68134, 68152, 68102, 68131, 68114, 68130, 68135, 68010, 68144, 68104, 68132, 68142, 68118, 68154, 68178, 68164.

KROC CENTER - 2825 Y Street:

- Thursday, November 6 (9 am-12 pm and 1 pm-4 pm)

- Friday, November 7 (9 am-12 pm and 1 pm-4 pm)

- Saturday, November 8 (9 am–1 pm)

- Zip codes; 68005, 68028, 68046, 68059, 68107, 68127, 68128, 68133, 68136, 68113, 68147, 68117, 68157, 68123, 68106, 68137, 68105, 68108, 68124, 68138.

NORTH CORPS - 2424 Pratt Street:

- Saturday, November 1 (9 am-1 pm)

- Monday, November 3 (9 am-12 pm and 1 pm-4 pm)

- Tuesday, November 4 (9 am–12 pm and 1 pm-4 pm)

- Zip codes: 68007, 68002, 68064, 68110, 68111, 68112, 68116, 68122, 68134, 68152.

Food and gifts for families in need.  

For Christmas 2025:

Applications accepted November 3-November 21, 2025. Call to register: (712) 328-8122, Mon-Fri 9 am-11 am and 1 pm-3 pm.

Eligibility Requirements: Picture ID; must be a resident of Southwest Iowa; applicants may apply at one agency only. Agencies coordinate lists of applicants to ensure no duplication.

**Toys for Tots applications are closed for this year 2025**

Four Mile and Pioneer Columbus Recreation Centers will help families sign up for 2024 Toys for Tots during the holiday season. Registration begins Nov. 1, 2024, and goes through Nov 30, 2024. Gift pick-ups are Mon Dec. 16, 2024, from 12 pm- 6 pm; Tue Dec. 17, 2024, from 3 pm-8 pm and Dec. 18, 2024, from 12 pm-6 pm at the center where families register.

Grandparents are invited to shop every year for their grandchildren during the holiday season. Grandchildren must be 10 years old or younger.

Register for an appointment between November 10th - November 24, 2025.  Please bring ID or Clarity card. 

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.  

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.

Offers a Christmas toy program for children ages 0-17. Pre-registration is required, visit website on November 12-December 2nd to sign up, first come first serve. Registering is not a promise of service until confirmation and further instructions are given. Calls may begin as soon as one week after the beginning of registration. Gifts will be given on Saturday, December 6th, 2025, at 11 am-3 pm. 

Offers free Christmas trees and decorations. Call for information.

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

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.

Thanksgiving program provides a food box.

For Thanksgiving 2025, in-person sign-ups are by appointment only. No more requests will be received after October 25.

Applicants must bring photo ID for all adults in the household, proof of birth date for each child, proof of address (current utility bill, mail, etc), proof of all household income. Applicants must apply at one agency only. (Salvation Army compares applicant lists with other agencies.)

For Christmas 2025, the Christmas program offers food boxes for families and/or toys for children; programs are for children ages 0-15 and seniors age 65+.

Beginning Nov 1st through Nov 20th or until capacity is reached. Register at https://saangeltree.org or call (402) 379-4663 for an appointment. If not qualified for Angel Tree, call for information about receiving a Christmas food box.

2025 registration ended 11/14/2025.

Partners with Toys For Tots and Midwest Food Bank to provide toys and a Christmas food box for families/individuals in need.