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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.

Visit the website for counties and agencies participating in local holiday assistance programs.

The mission of the program is to collect and distribute new unwrapped toys as Christmas gifts to children less fortunate in the local community, ages 6 months-12 years.

Toy application information for 2025:
10/1/25: Application open date.
11/26/25: Application close date.
10/13/25: Application response start date.
11/29/25: Application response end date.

Verification Dates and Times:

October Dates: Open from 9 am-6 pm

October- 13th, 15th, 20th, 22nd, 27th, and 29th

November Dates: Open from 9 am-6 pm

November- 1st, 15th, 17th, 19th, 22nd, and 29th

Toy Distribution:
Starts 10/28/2025, ends 12/19/2025. Approved applicants will be notified of specific distribution dates and locations.

Holiday assistance is available to income-eligible West Des Moines residents.

Applications for December 2025 food assistance and Giftland Program (for children up to age 18) will follow the deadlines listed in the Hours below.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

2026 YouthHope Holiday Food Baskets

Holiday Food Basket Application begin October 1, 2026. Holiday baskets include holiday meal food items and a grocery gift certificate. Baskets are limited. Clients who apply for a food basket from another agency are not eligible. First-come, first-served. Basket recipients will receive a basket pick-up card at the time of application with details.

Application must be completed in-person during Food Pantry hours: Monday & Friday 9 am-12 pm. Families may select either Thanksgiving OR Christmas while supplies last. Please one ONE basket per family per year.

THANKSGIVING BASKET DISTRIBUTION: Thursday, November 19, 2026 (9 am-12 pm)

CHRISTMAS BASKET DISTRIBUTION: Thursday, December 17, 2026 (9 am-12 pm)

Provides weekly backpacks of non-perishable food items to students during the school year, delivered directly to their homes. During the summer, students are provided monthly boxes of fresh produce and food for meals. Also, provides Thanksgiving and Christmas meals.

Only open to Food Pantry guests that received services between Jan-Oct 2025!

*12/19/25 Friday ONLY from 9 am-11 am Free Christmas gifts on a first come, first served bases. 

​Each child will receive a minimum of 1 toy and stocking stuffer. Children must be 18 or younger to participate. Children do not need to be present while registering or during pick up. Toys are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Each child may only receive toys once. This is a Toys for Tots event.

Pre-registration is required. Registrants must come into the Bidwell Pantry to sign up for the Holiday Toy Pantry. Registration is between 10 am-4 pm Monday through Friday from November 1, 2025 through November 30, 2025 OR until the event is full.

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:

Complete online application by December 8, 2025. You will be notified by email if you qualify between December 9-12, 2025.

Approved applicants will be notified of specific distribution dates and locations.

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

Provides curbside distribution of holiday provisions for Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Provides gifts to foster families by seeking donations or monetary donations used to purchase gifts, for children. Services include gift wrapping and delivering the gifts to the foster parents before Christmas day. Program may also provide gifts to adult residential clients. Will provide letter of thanks for donation for tax purposes. 

Provides a seasonal Christmas give-away of food and Christmas presents for children of families in need. Children ages 12 and under receive toys and teens ages 13 through 18 receive a goodie bag.

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.

For Christmas 2025, Christmas baskets are being offered at the 1310 White Street location, distributed December 15th, 2025, through December 17th, 2025. Pick-up is from 10 am-3 pm on those days.

Sign-up is in-person only during regular hours. Registration begins December 1st, 2025. Deadline to sign-up is December 12, 2025. 

2026 YouthHope Holiday Food Baskets

Holiday Food Basket Application begin October 1, 2026. Holiday baskets include holiday meal food items and a grocery gift certificate. Baskets are limited. Clients who apply for a food basket from another agency are not eligible. First-come, first-served. Basket recipients will receive a basket pick-up card at the time of application with details.

Application must be completed in-person during Food Pantry hours: Monday & Friday 9 am-12 pm. Families may select either Thanksgiving OR Christmas while supplies last. Please one ONE basket per family per year.

THANKSGIVING BASKET DISTRIBUTION: Thursday, November 19, 2026 (9 am-12 pm)

CHRISTMAS BASKET DISTRIBUTION: Thursday, December 17, 2026 (9 am-12 pm)