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Get FREE Christmas Help in New Hampshire | Toys, Food & More

Get FREE Christmas Help in New Hampshire | Toys, Food & More

We’ve found Christmas help in New Hampshire! There are many organizations and nonprofits that can help you get free Christmas gifts, holiday meal boxes and other assistance to make your celebrations merry and bright.

I empathize deeply with the feeling of despair that comes from not being able to afford to celebrate Christmas. I’ve personally relied on assistance programs like these in the past. It felt like a blessing when my young son received free Christmas toys through a program like this, and that’s a comfort I hope all of you get to enjoy as well.

Free Christmas Help in NH

Finding help with free Christmas gifts and food in New Hampshire doesn’t have to be hard. No matter what part of the state you are in, you could get help from different organizations to help make Christmas an even more special time for you and your kids! These organizations have local branches, but they are available for those qualified throughout the state.

Operation Santa Claus

Operation Santa Claus is a program run by employees who work for the State Department of Human Services (DHHS). This program provides free Christmas gifts to around 3,000 children in New Hampshire every year.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE: This program serves children who live in New Hampshire and receive services through DHHS.

HOW TO APPLY: You can’t apply directly. Operation Santa uses DHHS as an intake agency to identify children who need help.

Salvation Army 

The Salvation Army’s Christmas programs in New Hampshire bring hope and joy to those in need during the holiday season. Through their Angel Tree program, they collect gifts and essentials for children and seniors, ensuring they have a brighter Christmas.

Additionally, the Salvation Army hosts community dinners and distributes food baskets, ensuring that families can enjoy a festive meal together. These programs not only provide material support but also create a sense of community and goodwill, embodying the true spirit of Christmas.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE: Children and seniors may be able to get help from the Angel Tree program. Hot meals and food assistance are generally available to anyone in need.

HOW TO APPLY: You can register for the Angel Tree program online in many areas. You’ll need to contact your local branch for details about the holiday food program.

Toys for Tots

Toys for Tots in New Hampshire is a heartwarming initiative that collects and distributes toys to children in need during the holiday season.

This program, run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, brings together communities to donate new toys, which are then distributed to children who might otherwise go without gifts on Christmas morning.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE: Toys for Tots appears to serve children who are under 18 years old in New Hampshire. You also have to live in a participating county. The only two counties in New Hampshire that do NOT have a Toys for Tots program are Coos County and North Merrimack County. All other areas have at least partial coverage.

HOW TO APPLY: Go to the Toys for Tots website and click the Request a Toy button. You’ll have to find your local chapter by selecting New Hampshire from the drop-down menu and then choosing yoru county.

Other Christmas Help

We’ve found even more big-name charities that can help you improve your Christmas celebration! These include charities that provide free Christmas gifts, free holiday meal boxes and even fully-decorated Christmas trees. Don’t miss out on these nationwide Christmas assistance programs that also help families in New Hampshire!

Local Christmas Help in NH

Your local area is filled with resources that might be able to help you get access to free Christmas gifts and food. We’re constantly finding new ways to get Christmas help across the state. When we find a new holiday program, we’ll add it to this list.

Hillsborough County

The Front Door in Nashua provides free Christmas gifts, food, toys and clothing to nearly 1,000 children every single year through their Adopt a Child program! It is possible that you already need to be a client of this organization in order to get help. You’ll have to contact them for details.

Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter in Nashua organizes a 30 Days of Giving campaign every year that is designed to help low income families enjoy their holidays better. This campaign improves the contents of their Thanksgiving and Christmas food boxes for families.

Tolles St. Mission in Nashua hosts an annual Christmas party at the Boys and Girls Club in Nashua. They also distribute Christmas meal boxes as well.

Rockingham County

Village of Hope NH provides Christmas help to families in the Seacoast area. This agency only serves people who have children under age 18 and live in Epping, Exeter, Hampton, Newington, Newmarket, Portsmouth, Rye, Seabrook, or Stratham.

Strafford County

Village of Hope NH provides Christmas help to families in the Seacoast area. This agency only serves people who have children under age 18 and live in Barrington, Dover, Durham, Farmington, Lee, Madbury, Milton, Rochester, Rollinsford, or Somersworth.

Relief Recap

There are many ways to get free Christmas help in New Hampshire! We’ve highlighted many different organizations that can help you, from nationwide providers like Toys for Tots to small local charities like Village of Hope. Contact the providers on this list for assistance and don’t forget to check back often because we’re constantly adding new resources!

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.

Catherine Marucci

Saturday 26th of November 2022

Hi Yvonne. I'm sorry to hear that things have been difficult, especially lately. If your area isn't mentioned above, it may be worth calling 211 to see if there is anything they can suggest in your local area.