Get FREE Toys for Christmas in New Jersey!

If you need free toys for Christmas in New Jersey, there are many agencies that may be able to help you! We’ve found churches, charities and nonprofits that provide free Christmas assistance to low income families in your state.

Free Toys for Christmas in NJ

Exploring options for free Christmas gifts and food in New Jersey is easier than you might think. Regardless of where you live in the state, there are numerous organizations ready to lend a hand, making Christmas even more magical for you and your little ones. These organizations operate locally but are available to help eligible individuals across the entire state.

Salvation Army 

The Salvation Army offers a heartwarming array of Christmas programs in New Jersey that spread joy and support to those in need during the holiday season. One of their most notable initiatives is the “Angel Tree” program, which allows generous donors to select a child’s Christmas wish list and provide them with the gifts they long for. This program not only brings smiles to children’s faces but also eases the burden on struggling families.

Additionally, the Salvation Army’s “Red Kettle” campaign is a familiar sight during the holiday season, with volunteers stationed outside stores and malls, collecting donations that go towards various Christmas assistance programs, such as providing food, clothing, and toys to those less fortunate.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE: The Angel Tree program usually serves children who are under age 13. The Salvation Army’s other Christmas programs help people of all ages.

HOW TO GET HELP: You can apply for the Angel Tree program online. For other services, you’ll need to contact your nearest Salvation Army branch directly.

Toys for Tots

Toys for Tots is another wonderful organization that plays a vital role in spreading holiday cheer in New Jersey. Their mission is to ensure that every child experiences the magic of Christmas by receiving a gift. Through a network of local campaigns and generous donors, Toys for Tots collects and distributes new, unwrapped toys to children in need across the state.

The program brings together communities, businesses, and volunteers, all united by the shared goal of making Christmas special for kids. Families facing financial hardships can rely on Toys for Tots to provide toys that light up their children’s faces on Christmas morning. With its dedication to brightening the holiday season for kids, Toys for Tots is an integral part of New Jersey’s holiday spirit.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE: This program usually serves children ages 12 and under. In some areas, older children may also be eligible. Toys for Tots is available in every county in New Jersey.

HOW TO APPLY: You can apply on the Toys for Tots website by selecting the Request a Toy button.

More Christmas Help

There are other nationwide organizations that serve low income families in New Jersey as well! You can find more information about these providers in our Nationwide Christmas Resource List. Some of those providers even offer fully decorated Christmas trees for low income families!

Local Christmas Help in NJ

Local charities often prove to be the best choice for Christmas help because they have a deep understanding of the specific needs and challenges within their communities. They’re intimately connected to the people they serve, allowing them to tailor their assistance to match the unique circumstances of local families.

We’re constantly finding new organizations that provide free toys for Christmas. When we find an organization that does this in your area, we will add it to this list. Be sure to bookmark this page and check back every year for updates!

Bergen County

St. Matthews Episcopal Church in Paramus provides Christmas goodie bags at the Holley Center. They also distribute hat, mittens, scarves and free toys for Christmas to the Holley Center for Children in Hackensack.

Essex County

Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Newark serves families in Essex County and surrounding areas during their time of need. Their Help-a-Family program provides gifts to people who are already receiving food through the CCAN Emergency Food and Nutrition Network. They also have a Holiday Express party for people who live in their housing programs. You need to be a CCAN client in order to receive holiday help from this organization.

Franciscan Charities Inc. in Newark provides a Christmas Eve celebration that provides free winter coats, dinner and even free toys for Christmas! This program is listed as a neighborhood outreach service so it is not clear if you need to be an existing client or not.

Saint James Social Services in Newark participates in an annual Be a Blessing Holiday Distribution. This event provides a turkey dinner for hundreds of people. At the event, they also give children free toys for Christmas.

CASA in Newark coordinates a Holiday Toy Drive for foster children in Essex County who are in foster care. They serve foster youth who are age 21 and under. Potential gifts include new toys, electronics and even free gift cards.

Middlesex County

Fish Inc in Piscataway offers free toys for Christmas, as well as free holiday meal baskets. The holiday baskets include a turkey, chicken or ham. This organization may also be able to help you with free clothing, blankets, bedding and more.  

Jewish Family Services in North Brunswick offers free toys during the December holiday season. This organization also provides families with grocery cards to purchase Kosher food for Passover.

Passaic County

CASA Holiday Wish Drive in Wayne provides foster children with free toys for Christmas. They serve foster families in Passaic and Union Counties only.

Catholic Charities Diocese of Paterson gathers donated gifts from local churches and community groups. Those gifts are distributed to Catholic Charities clients. In order to get free toys for Christmas from this organization, you need to be registered and using some of their other services already.

New Hope Community Ministries in Prospect Park provides a low-cost Christmas Market. The donated toys are marked at steep discounts, allowing parents to pick out new toys for $5 or less!

Relief Recap

There are many organizations throughout New Jersey that provide free toys for Christmas and other holiday help. If you’re looking for free Christmas gifts, a hot meal, a holiday food box or even a free Christmas tree, the agencies on this list may be able to help you get what you need.

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.