How to Get Christmas Help for Low Income Families

Christmas help for families with kids

Christmas help for low income families is available from a variety of sources. If a family is having trouble making ends met or can't afford even the simplest of holiday celebrations, there are many civic organizations, charitable groups and individuals who will step forward to help ensure Christmas help for low income families.

The holidays are traditionally a time of giving, and giving to those most in need brings others joy. Here's how to get Christmas help for low income families in your own community.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Christmas charities

   Contact local charities and civic organizations to find out about their outreach to the needy during Christmastime. Catholic Charities offers help to the needy year round, with extra food baskets, toys and emergency assistance during the holidays. Christmas help for low income families might be as close as the local Catholic Charities or other nearby civic charity office.

2. Salvation Army

   Find out if there is a Salvation Army in your area. The Salvation Army will often help with toy vouchers, food, clothing vouchers and other means. Their classic bell ringers collect donations to help the needy, and they put these donations to good use providing Christmas help for low income families.

3. Churches

   Inquire at your church, asking the pastor or community outreach coordinator about receiving assistance for your family or a needy family you know. If your church is collecting food items or toys for Christmas giving, ask if you qualify to be a recipient.

4. Children at Christmas

   Explore area churches, especially those in wealthier neighborhoods, for additional assistance in providing holiday gifts, winter clothing, jackets and food for your family. Many religious congregations have committees organized to help coordinate Christmas help for low income families.

5. Utility help

   Ask the utility company for information about winter assistance with heating and electric bills. Find out what programs they refer needy families to in order to receive assistance keeping the electricity on.

6. Christmas toy drive

   Keep an eye out for local toy drives and food drives. Contact the coordinators about the needy family you are helping, to find out if there is extra for them.

7. Basket of bread

   Look up your local food bank and find out the requirements to receive food and produce through them, and if they have extra food baskets during the holidays to help provide Christmas help for low income families.

8. Friends help

   Accept offers from family and friends to help out in your time of need. That's what friends and family are for--to help each other through the rough times, together.

9. Christmas help

   Listen to local radio, pick up area newspapers, and keep an eye out for signs announcing various programs to assist the needy at Christmas. Your community may have Christmas baskets for low income families, toys for needy children, and other help for the Holidays you won't find any other way.

Tips & Warnings

• Find someone less fortunate than yourselves with whom to share your Christmas blessings and you will find yourself doubly blessed.

• Let the poor in your area know about Christmas help for low income families.

• Think of some way to help others every Christmas, whether you are in need or not. Doing so will make your Christmas even better.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Christmas Charity for Low Income Families
• Applications for free Personal Government Grants
• How to get Emergency Financial Help
• Where to get Free Toys for Christmas