Making the holidays fun and festive is almost everyone's desire. If you have money, all you have to do is go to the department stores and shop for your loved ones. Your biggest problem will be wrapping all the presents. It's another story if your family is struggling financially. The holiday season is adding stress rather than excitement. You still can celebrate with your family through the generosity of many charitable organisations.
Adopt-A-Family
Adopt-a-Family matches needy families with individuals or corporations. Call the local Corps office to apply. Referrals also can be made by social workers. The sponsors of this program are asked to give two or more new gifts for every member of the family and provide food for up to a week. In some cases, the sponsors help the family pay the utility bills.
The Salvation Army National Headquarters
615 Slaters Lane
P.O. Box 269
Alexandria, VA 22313
800-728-7825
salvationarmyusa.org
Angel Tree
Angel Tree reaches out to children with parents in prison. Every year, it coordinates with local churches to collect and distribute donations before Christmas. The group also provides spiritual and emotional support.
Prison Fellowship
Angel Tree
44180 Riverside Parkway
Lansdowne, VA 20176
800-552-6435
angeltree.org
Toys for Tots
The Toys for Tots foundation partners with local non-profit organisations in distributing toys to needy children. Contact the foundation's headquarters to find out which non-profit organisations in your area participate in the program.
Marine Toys for Tots Foundation
18251 Quantico Gateway Dr.
Triangle, VA 22172
mtftf@toysfortots.org
toysfortots.org
Backpack Program and Holiday Food Assistance
Local food banks have been providing meals to state schoolchildrenn from low-income families. At the end of the week and before the holiday vacations, the children receive a backpack full of food to bring home. The families also can go to the local food banks to get food boxes for the holidays.
Feeding America
35 East Wacker Dr.
Ste. 2000
Chicago, IL 60601
800-771-2303
feedingamerica.org
Holiday Assistance
The Association of Jewish Family and Children's Agencies is a nondiscriminatory organisation. Its local agencies has been providing financial assistance, holiday meals and gifts for low-income families during the holidays. It has a membership of more than 130 Jewish Family and Children's Agencies all over North America. Every local agency has its own holiday program. It could be Embrace-a-Family Holiday Basket Program, Get Caught Caring or Kinder to Kinder. Ask the local representatives about their holiday assistance for the needy families.
Association of Jewish Family and Children's Agencies
5750 Park Heights Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21215
800-634-7346
ajfca.org