Get FREE Christmas Gifts & Food in Maryland!

If you live in Maryland and need help with Christmas this year, we’ve got good news! We’ve found ways that you can get free Christmas gifts, help with your holiday meals and so much more.

From nationwide charities to small local organizations, this list covers all the ways you can get holiday help this year!

Free Christmas Gifts in Maryland

There are many nationwide organizations that offer free Christmas gifts throughout the state. These include well-known organizations like the Salvation Army, Toys for Tots and more!

Salvation Army

Every year, the Salvation Army brings holiday cheer to millions of low income children across Maryland through their holiday programs. These programs provide free toys, free food and more for families who need it.

The most famous Salvation Army holiday programs are their Red Kettle campaign and Angel Tree programs. The Angel Tree program helps low income families get free toys and gifts for their children. The children’s requests are put on tags on Christmas trees in local stores, where generous shoppers purchase those items and return them to the donation bin.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE: The Angel Tree program typically serves children and sometimes seniors from low income households.

HOW TO APPLY: You can usually apply on the Angel Tree website. If your area does not accept online applications, you can find your local Salvation Army and contact them directly.

Toys for Tots

Toys for Tots is available in every county in Maryland! This incredible program provides donated toys to low income children who otherwise might not get anything for Christmas.

The Toys for Tots program is administered by the Marine Corps Reserve. It’s been bringing holiday joy to families since 1947!

WHO IS ELIGIBLE: Toys for Tots typically serves children who are age 12 or under, although the age limits may vary by location.

HOW TO APPLY: You can request a toy directly on the Toys for Tots website using the “Request a Toy” button.

Other Christmas Help

There are more ways that you can get help this holiday season. A lot of the charities in our Nationwide Christmas Resource List also serve families n Maryland, so be sure to check our Nationwide Christmas List as well!

Free Christmas Help Near You

No matter where you are in Maryland, there are organizations that may be able to help your family enjoy the holiday season. These organizations can provide free toys, food, trees and more to help enhance your holiday.

Allegheny County

Tri-State Toys for Happiness provides free Christmas gifts, some clothing and books to thousands of children every holiday season. They serve children who are 14 years old and younger. You need to use the application on their website to apply.

Baltimore

Bea Gaddy Family Center in Baltimore is an organization that serves children and seniors with food, clothing baby clothes, diapers, furniture and more. They provide an annual Thanksgiving meal and may also provide Christmas assistance when items are available.

Carter Memorial Church in Baltimore provides Christmas baskets tot hose who need help with their holiday. You need to sign up in advance. The application period opens November 1st and closes when supplies are exhausted. You must call and speak to someone to get on the list. You can’t leave a voicemail because they will not add you to the list that way.

Franciscan Center in Baltimore provides many helpful services for low income people who live near Baltimore City. Their services include a free Children’s Library, clothing, toiletries, dental care, eviction prevention, eyeglasses, birth certificates, prescription help and more. They also have a food bank, which may be able to provide staples for your Christmas dinner.

New Psalmist Baptist Church in Baltimore provides a Christmas Outreach program that helps low income families with children age 18 or under. This program provides up to two gifts per child, a small item for the parents, and a $25 gift card to assist with holiday dinner. Distribution happens in early December.

The Door in Baltimore operates a food pantry that may be able to help you with your holiday meal. They provide special holiday meal baskets for Thanksgiving and Christmas that include non-perishables, bread and meat.

Carroll County

NESAP in Hampstead provides a Holiday Help program to those who live in certain areas. This program provides a holiday meal basket and free Christmas gifts. You must live in Hampstead, Manchester, Finksburg, and Upperco in order to qualify. You must contact their organization to apply.

The Shepherds Staff in Westminster operates holiday programs that benefit children and seniors in Carroll County. The Christmas Stocking program delivers gifts to children and the Sacks for Seniors program provides gifts for seniors. They also have an Easter Basket program that gives gifts to children in the spring.

Charles County

Charles County Children’s Aid Society in Waldorf provides an annual Christmas Toy Connection program. This program provides free Christmas gifts to approximately 2,000 children in the county. Parents get to choose the gifts their children will receive at the annual toy shop. You need to apply on the DSS website by early November.

Hughesville Baptist Church in Hughesville provides holiday food baskets for Christmas and Thanksgiving as well. These baskets include a turkey and trimmings, as well as candy, cookies, and hygiene products when donations allow.

Frederick County

The Religious Coalition in Frederick provides Christmas assistance each year. You must complete the application early in the season, around October, because they fill up fast. Applications are typically closed before Thanksgiving.

Frederick Rescue Mission in Frederick provides a Christmas event each year. At the event, parents can choose two free gifts for each of their children. This event occurs the week before Christmas. You need to register in advance and you’ll be given a time to arrive.

Garrett Counties

Tri-State Toys for Happiness provides free Christmas gifts, some clothing and books to thousands of children every holiday season. They serve children who are 14 years old and younger. You need to use the application on their website to apply.

Montgomery County

Damascus HELP in Damascus provides holiday food baskets and free Christmas gifts when donations allow. They also provide assistance with transportation referrals, furniture, and emergency financial assistance when they can. You must live in certain zip codes in upper Montgomery County in order to get help.

Talbot County

Neighborhood Service Center in Easton provides Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets to low income residents in the county. They also provide help with utilities, rent and other helpful services throughout the year.

Washington County

Bridge of Life in Hagerstown hosts an annual Christmas Eve dinner for the community. The meal includes turkey and all the trimmings. It is followed by a Christmas Eve candlelight service.

Washington County Community Action Council in Hagerstown issues a food bank card to Washington County residents who need it. You can make an appointment with a Crisis Case Manager to apply. Many local food banks and charitable organizations require you to have a food bank card in order to get help.

Wicomico County

The Joseph House in Salisbury offers free Christmas toys to people who already receive help from their food pantry. You must be an existing food pantry client in order to use this holiday program. Registration is due by mid-November.

Relief Recap

There are many ways you can get help with free Christmas gifts near you if you live in Maryland! There are nationwide organizations and smaller local charities that distribute free toys, holiday meal baskets and more. If you need help, don’t hesitate to reach out to the providers on this list, check our nationwide list for even more holiday help providers, or call 211 for more personalized service.

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.