Get FREE Christmas Assistance in Connecticut

Wondering how to get free Christmas help in Connecticut? You’re not alone. As the holiday season approaches, families from bustling cities like Hartford and New Haven to the scenic coastal town of Bridgeport may find themselves seeking a little extra help to make the season merry and bright.

This article will outline many different ways that you can get Christmas help near you. From local charities in Stamford to community initiatives in Waterbury, there is a wealth of support available to ensure every family can experience the joy of the holidays.

Free Christmas Gifts in Connecticut

Regardless of your location within the state, there are agencies available to assist you. Be sure to reach out to these statewide organizations as your first point of contact!

Hartford Lending Hands

Hartford Lending Hands began back in 2013 with a singular mission: to help low income families in Hartford get help during the holiday season. Over the years, their mission expanded to encompass the entire state.

This organization provides Christmas assistance, a food pantry, and more. You need to apply for Christmas assistance in advance using this form on their website.

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army works tirelessly in Connecticut to bring the joy of the holiday season to low income families who can’t otherwise afford it. Their programs, such as the “Angel Tree,” ensure that children can still enjoy Christmas.

In addition to distributing presents, the Salvation Army also organizes warm Christmas meals for families, seniors, and individuals across cities like Hartford and Bridgeport. Their aim is to foster a sense of community and spread the spirit of giving.

Apply for the Angel Tree Program online or contact your local Salvation Army chapter today!

Toys for Tots

Toys for Tots is dedicated to bringing smiles to children across Connecticut during the holiday season. The program ensures that children from families experiencing financial hardship receive toys, creating moments of joy and celebration.

You can request a toy from Toys for Tots on their website.

Other Christmas Help

Don’t forget about these incredible charities that can help you get free Christmas trees and even more gifts! Our nationwide Christmas resource directory is full of organizations that serve all states, so take a look at that list, too.

Local Christmas Help in Connecticut

Local charities can help you find gifts and meals for the holidays. Sometimes, the best programs are the ones that only serve the community near you!

If your county isn’t listed here, you can still find support. Call 211 or check our nationwide list to find help near you. Everyone deserves to have a joyful holiday season.

Hartford County

Gifts of Love is located in Avon and Hartford. They host an annual Holiday Shoppe that provides free gifts for families who need them. Donations usually include toys, games, winter clothing and more. The gifts are unwrapped so that parents can browse and find the right gift for their children.

HBC Food Pantry in West Hartford provides food for children, seniors, people with disabilities and those that are homeless. They may be able to help you if you need some food for your holiday meal but they don’t appear to have any gift programs.

Plainville Food Pantry in Plainville offers free holiday food baskets for Christmas, as well as other holidays like Easter and Thanksgiving. Their baskets include a week’s worth of groceries, including fresh produce and either a turkey or chicken. They also provide a Secret Santa program for children up to age 16.

Shiloh Baptist Church in Hartford hosts a free Christmas dinner every year.

South Church in New Britain hosts an annual free Christmas dinner for nearly 500 people in the nearby community. The meal is served on Christmas day.

United Way of West Central Connecticut hosts a Joy of Sharing Program each year. This program provides free Christmas gifts, free holiday meal baskets and more to families who live in Bristol, Burlington, Plainville and Plymouth.

West Hartford Social Services provides gift cards to help with Thanksgiving and holiday gifts for children age 16 and under. This program distributes these cards to low income households on a first-come, first-served basis every year.

Litchfield County

FISH in Torrington provides low income families with Christmas dinner and gifts for children age 17 and under. Eligible families may receive a turkey or ham, as well as other items. You have to live in Bantam, Goshen, Harwinton, Litchfield, Morris, New Hartford, or Torrington in order to get help. Applications for this program open in mid-October and close in mid-November each year.

New Haven County

First Congregational Church of Waterbury offers a community meal every Christmas Day.

Meriden YMCA offers free to-go holiday dinners for low income families. The meals usually need to be picked up but homebound residents may be able to get food delivered. You need to call the YMCA at least one week before Christmas to reserve your meal.

New London County

Care and Share of East Lyme Inc. provides free holiday food baskets, winter clothes and gifts. Parents are invited to visit the Holiday Store and pick out gifts for their children. However, you have to call (860) 739-8502 to apply beforehand.

Colchester Youth & Social Services can provide free holiday food baskets, coats, and even gifts through their Secret Santa program! You’ll need to sign up with the organization to get started.

Ledyard Social Services provides an Adopt-a-Family program for low income families in the area. You need to register at the Mayor’s Office or using this online form in order to get started.

Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center distributes Christmas food baskets and holiday toys during their special holiday events. They also have other services that can help!

Union Baptist Church in Mystic serves an annual Christmas meals. The meals are served at the Church but delivery may be available to those who are homebound. If you don’t have transportation, you may be able to get a ride. You’ll need to call the Church in advance for these services.

Wyndham County

TEEG provides free holiday food baskets to low income families in Thompson, Pomfret and Woodstock. Seniors and children can also get a free gift. The agency starts accepting applications in October.

Summary

In Connecticut, help is available to make sure everyone can enjoy the holidays. From gifts to meals, local charities and programs are ready to assist. This list describes all the resources we’ve found in Connecticut so far, but don’t forget to check our nationwide Christmas resource list or call 211 for support in your area.

Nicole Thelin

Nicole is the founder and lead researcher of Low Income Relief. After a personal experience with poverty and homelessness following her husband's sudden medical discharge from the U.S. Army, Nicole discovered the life-changing impact of community resources. This experience ignited her passion for empowering others to navigate similar crises. Nicole launched her writing career at age 16, working for various newspapers and publications. Her commitment to in-depth research and accessible content has been recognized by Google for Publishers and other industry leaders. For over 20 years, she has applied her investigative skills to uncover the most helpful, up-to-date information on benefits programs and community resources, ensuring Low Income Relief maintains the most extensive resource databases available.