Thanksgiving and Christmas food boxes and Christmas gift distribution for families in the Tri-City area, all on a registered basis.

Please note: To better process information in a timely manner, TSA asks that registrants bring all of the required documents with them at the time of registration. If residents do not have all the information requested, TSA will be unable to process their request. Also, please leave children at home with an adult due to the lengthy registration process.

Thanksgiving Food Boxes for low-income households in Otoe County who need extra help with groceries. Basic food items for a Thanksgiving dinner are provided.

For Thanksgiving 2025:

One pantry per household; meals are available while supplies last.

As of Oct 20, mail or email the form available on the SENCA Facebook page to:

- Mail: Otoe SENCA Office, 111 North 11th Street, Nebraska City, NE 68410

- Email: [email protected]

Or call to reserve a pantry: (402) 297-7398.

For those who cannot access the form on the Facebook page, applicants may call or mail/email the following info to the address/email address (above):

- Name, request for a Thanksgiving pantry, number of adults and children in the household, phone number.

All pantry requests must be received by Nov 18 by 4 pm.

Pantries can be picked up Mon, Nov 24 from 8:30 am-3 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.

Offers Thanksgiving meal baskets.

NOT ABLE TO OFFER IN 2025, possibly in 2026

Thanksgiving food basket program. Provides $35 voucher to purchase Thanksgiving food at Save A Lot grocery store. The applicant will be given a voucher at the time they apply.

Holiday meals 2025 for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter are served at Bethel Mission's Hope Cafe (1310 6th Avenue).

Thanksgiving meals served at Hope Cafe on Thursday, November 27, 2025, from 12 pm-1 pm (no reservation required to eat at Hope Cafe). Thanksgiving orders for in-home meal delivery are from Nov 3rd - Nov 19th, 2025 at 4:30 pm or until capacity is reached. Call (515) 265-4277 or sign up at www.hopeiowa.org. Thanksgiving delivery to: Altoona, Ankeny, Bondurant, Booneville, Carlisle, Cumming, Clive, Dallas Center, Des Moines, Granger, Grimes, Hartford, Indianola, Johnston, Martinsdale, Norwalk, Pleasant Hill, Polk City, Prole, Urbandale, Van Meter, Waukee, West Des Moines, and Windsor Heights.

Christmas meal 2025 home delivery can be reserved by calling (515) 265-4277 or online at hopiowa.org. Orders will be taken form Dec 1st ,2025 - Dec 17th, 2025 at 4 pm or until full. Christmas meals are delivered to Altoona, Clive, Des Moines, Johnston, Pleasant Hill, Urbandale, West Des Moines and Windsor Heights.

Christmas can be enjoyed at Hope Cafe on Christmas day Thursday, Dec 25, 2025 from 12 pm-1 pm.

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)

2025 Information:

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

Thanksgiving 2025

Providing free turkeys to individuals and families who visit and shop at the food pantry during the month of November. Turkeys will only be available for those actively shopping for groceries at the pantry - walk-ins requesting only a turkey will not be eligible. First come first serve basis.

Holiday hours: Pantry will close Wed at 12 pm, Nov 26, 2025, and re-open Dec 1, 2025, Mon 9:30 am.

Providing a Thanksgiving community meal for Champaign County residents. Meal is hosted at the Washington Square Apartments in the community room on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 2 pm-5 pm.

Offers an invitation to individuals to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner with others each year, usually the Friday before Thanksgiving.

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.

For Thanksgiving 2025:

A free Thanksgiving meal from the MLK Center is offered to the entire Quad Cities community.

Fri, Nov 21st, 12 pm-5 pm (drive-through only).

Sat, Nov 22nd, 11 am-5 pm (drive-through and 25 meal minimum delivery).

Sun, Nov 23rd, 12 pm-4 pm (dine-in only).

For meals, arrive in the parking lot and tell staff how many meals are needed. Meals include turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, dressing, green beans, corn, cranberry sauce and dessert.

Curbside service is available at the MLK Center while supplies last.

For Thanksgiving 2025:

A Thanksgiving Meal is offered. This can be picked up in the month of December with the monthly food pantry pick-up.

For Christmas 2025:

Offers the Operation Santa program, where qualifying parents can pick out gifts for their children (ages 0-18) at a pop-up shop in December (date to be determined; by appointment only).

Visit the office and fill out an application before the deadline (Nov 22, 2025); parents will then be pre-approved for a time to come and select gifts for their children. Gift options include new and gently used clothing, games, puzzles, etc. Parents also receive a $50 gift card and $50 voucher for each child.

Food pantry with dry goods, meat, dairy, etc. May be able to accommodate other needs.

Offers Thanksgiving food boxes, available on a first come, first served basis.

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

Thanksgiving meals delivered to seniors and those with disabilities. Please call to register for home delivery by November 15, 2025.

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

Offers seasonal services, including holiday food baskets for Thanksgiving and Christmas, with gift cards for turkey, holiday toys and gifts as supplies last, Easter baskets for youth, and Back-to-school supplies and backpacks for students in August.

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

Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets are distributed, as well as an Adopt a Family program.

2025 Signups will be available on the website October 11 through November 1, 2025.

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.

2025 Information:

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