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 sign-up starts in Oct - early Nov (once dates are determined). Distribution: Date and time to be determined at the American Legion.

Christmas sign-up is in Oct - early Nov (once dates are determined) (partnering with CRISP - call CRISP 515-462-9400. Households without children can apply through MATURA until (date to be determined). Distribution Date to be determined.

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.

** Thanksgiving 2025 dinner is not available this year**

Offers Thanksgiving dinners to individuals in need who do not have a place to go and would like to spend time with others within the community. No reservations are required to attend the dinner.

Offers Thanksgiving meal baskets.

Thanksgiving and Christmas 2025:

Sign-up for Thanksgiving food box, Christmas food box, and Christmas gifts (for qualifying children) takes place in October only. Starts Oct 1, 2025, and ends Oct 30, 2025.

Applicants must bring documentation identifying each member of the household.

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

2025 Information:

Offers Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day meals at Crossroads Mission Avenue. Meals start at 1 pm.

Thanksgiving 2025

Provides a Thanksgiving meal to anyone in need. The facility is handicapped accessible, but meals can be delivered to individuals who cannot make it to the restaurant for pick-up (open to anyone). Orders must be called in and are taken until the day before Thanksgiving or they run out.

Deliveries are only made to these zip codes: 50009, 50309, 50310, 50311, 50312, 50313, 50314, 50315, 50316, 50317, 50265, 50320, 50321, 50322 and 50324. Limit of eight meals per household.

Carry-out orders are available and can be picked up on Thanksgiving Day between the hours of 11 am-2 pm. Must be present for the delivery. Deliveries will be dropped off Thanksgiving starting between 9:30 am-10 am. Delivery time can't be determined.

**Answering service will ask for name, address, zip code, phone number, and the number of meals needed.

*DO NOT CALL THE RESTAURANT, THEY CANNOT HELP WITH DELIVERY OR PASS ON MESSAGES.

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.

THANKSGIVING: Offering Thanksgiving baskets to individuals that shop at the pantry during regular working hours starting November 10th, 2025, cannot guarantee on ham, turkey, chicken, assistance is first come first serve, no pre-registration required

CHRISTMAS: ** Agency is not sure if they will be offering food assistance for Christmas, call agency for information**

For Thanksgiving 2025, the free community meal is held Thursday, November 27, from 11 am-2 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.

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.

Holiday assistance includes Thanksgiving baskets, Christmas food, and gifts for children through 12 years old. Contact the Taylor County Matura office for more information.

Offers a Community Thanksgiving Day Dinner to those in need.

Served November 27, 2025, from 11 am-1 pm.

** No updates for Thanksgiving basket 2025 as of yet **

Thanksgiving Baskets: To receive a Thanksgiving Basket, registration is required from October 10 to November 10, 2024. To register, a photo ID, proof of address (utility bill, lease, etc), and proof of household (medical card, birth certificate, etc) must be submitted. If assistance is needed to register, call Salvation Army.

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.

Offers help with laundry, gas, clothing, and Thanksgiving and Christmas assistance.

For Thanksgiving 2025, Meal Box Registration is Nov 3-7, from 10 am-12 pm and 1 pm-3 pm. Bring photo ID, proof of address, and proof of household size (ID/Medical card, etc. for each household member). Food Boxes Distributed November 24, 2025.

For Christmas 2025, Toy Assistance and Meal Box Registration is Nov 17-18, 2025, from 10 am-12 pm and 1 pm-3 pm. Toy assistance is limited to 600 children, ages 0-12. Bring photo ID, proof of address, proof of household size, and proof of children's birthdates.

Offers holiday food boxes on Thanksgiving and Christmas to those in need.

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