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Get FREE Christmas Toys & Food in Florida!

Get FREE Christmas Toys & Food in Florida!

It’s time to apply for free Christmas gifts in Florida! There are many programs that can help you get free food and presents for children, seniors and others in your household.

This guide provides a list of locations where you can find free Christmas toys and presents for your loved ones.

Free Christmas Gifts in Florida

Several agencies offer support throughout most of the state. Regardless of your location, you can contact your nearest branch for help.

Catholic Charities

One of the best ways to get help with the holidays is to contact Catholic Charities! This organization serves everyone, whether or not you are Catholic.

For example, Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida provides free gifts and other holiday assistance to eligible families in an 18-county service area. Their program is called “Christmas Connection” and varies a bit depending on where you live in their area.

There are other Catholic Charities offices that serve other parts of the state. Contact them for details about how the program works in your area!

Metropolitan Ministries

Metropolitan Ministries operates Holiday Central, an assistance program that serves over 30,000 families in the area each holiday season. Their services include hot meals, free groceries, holiday gifts, and more.

This organization serves a six-county service area surrounding Tampa Bay. You may be able to get help from them if you live in one of the following counties:

  • Hernando County
  • Hillsborough County
  • Manatee County
  • Pasco County
  • Pinellas County
  • Polk County

In order to get help from this agency, you need to either register online or in person.

Nathaniel’s Hope Toy Shop

Nathaniel’s Hope Toy Shop provides free Christmas gifts to children and adults with special needs. You must have some sort of developmental disability in order to receive assistance.

If you have a child who qualifies, gifts may be available for the other siblings in your family as well. However, the program usually only serves siblings under the age of 12.

There are Nathaniel’s Hope Toy Shop satellite locations in the following areas:

  • Brandon
  • Jacksonville
  • Lakeland
  • Orlando
  • Space Coast

In order to receive help, you need to register with the organization in advance.

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army works hard to make sure families across Florida can enjoy the holidays. From Tampa’s busy streets to Naples’ quiet beaches, they bring joy to many. They are known for their red kettles and bell ringers who collect donations.

These donations help provide toys, gifts, and meals to families in need. The Salvation Army makes sure everyone can celebrate, whether they need help or want to volunteer. Their support and care continue all year long.

You can apply online for the Angel Tree program in many areas. If your area doesn’t process online applications, you can find your nearest Salvation Army branch using the location finder on their website.

Toys for Tots

Toys for Tots distributes free Christmas gifts to children across Florida. This program is run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. It helps kids in Florida have a happy holiday by giving out toys. They collect new, unwrapped toys and distribute them to families who need a little extra support.

The program’s goal is to bring joy and a sense of hope to children during the holiday season. Toys for Tots is there to make sure every child can enjoy a special holiday, regardless of their family’s financial situation.

Just click the “Request a Toy” button on their website to get started.

Other Christmas Help

There are more ways that you can apply for free Christmas gifts in Florida, too. Be sure to check out this list of holiday charities that can help you get free Christmas trees and more!

Local Christmas Help

Let’s look at local help for the holidays. Local groups know what people in your area need and can offer special support. There are many choices, from small local charities to bigger ones in your city or county. These organizations often offer the best programs.

Brevard County

Florida Today in Melbourne organizes the Reaching Out Holiday Fund. This fund purchases gifts for children and seniors in the area who need help.

Operation Hope of Greater Florida in Fellsmere helps low income families celebrate the holidays. They provide toys for up to 1,200 children every year at their annual Christmas celebration. They also provide help with Thanksgiving baskets and school supplies, too!

Toys for Kids in Melbourne provides toys for low income children between 0-10 years old. You can register between November 25 and December 8 each year!

Broward County

Broward Outreach Center provides free Christmas assistance to around 6,000 children every holiday season. They focus on helping homeless and low income children.

Clay County

JP Hall Children’s Charities in Green Cove Springs hosts an annual Christmas Party. It’s designed for low income children but is open to anyone. Santa will provide a free bag of toys for each child age 14 and under. Free clothing is available for every member of the family. A limited number of bikes are available, and they are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Popcorn, hot dogs and soda are provided.

City Rescue Mission in Jacksonville provides free Christmas meals and shoebox gifts for homeless people in the area. The boxes include hygiene items and small books or toys for children.

Jacksonville Metro Area

BEAM in Jacksonville operates a Christmas Giving Tree Program for low income children under age 14. Your family must live in one of the following zip codes: 32082, 32224, 32227, 32233, 32250, or 32266. You need to register online before the giveaway.

Children’s Christmas Party of Jacksonville provides an annual Christmas party that invites children to choose their own toys. They serve children ages 12 and under. On average, they distribute around 20,000 new toys and 500 wheeled items like bikes and scooters.

United Community Outreach Ministry in Jacksonville provides free holiday food boxes for either Thanksgiving or Christmas. Unfortunately, you will have to choose one holiday to get help with. You can apply as early as November 1. They serve clients who live in one of these zip codes: 32205, 32207, 32216, 32217, 32256, 32257, 32246, 32247.

East Lake County

Adopt A Child For Christmas in Mount Dora has provided Christmas gifts for low income children for over 25 years. This program helps about 800 children per year.

Escambia County

Manna Food Bank in Pensacola provides food to low income individuals and families in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties. If you need help with your holiday meal, they may be able to help. You need to make an appointment by calling (850) 432-2053.

Flagler County

Christmas Come True in Bunnell helps more than 500 children every year. They provide wrapped and tagged gifts, ready for your children to open on Christmas day. When possible, they also provide a Publix gift card. If you need help, fill out the form on their website.

The Giving Store in Palm Coast helps children in grades K-5 pick out free gifts for their family members. They distribute about 2,500 gifts per year, which are given to family members of all ages. If you want your child to participate, you have to register them before the end of November.

Grace Community Food Pantry provides free food to low income residents of Flagler County. They may be able to contribute groceries toward your upcoming holiday celebration.

Marion County

Brother’s Keeper in Ocala offers free Christmas gifts and hams for low income families in the area. They also provide help with holiday meals. Look for a registration announcement in November!

Miami-Dade County

Little Lighthouse in Miami hosts an annual holiday toy distribution event that gives free toys to children in the area. It is not clear how families register for this program.

The Caring Place in Miami provides up to 6,000 free Christmas gifts every holiday season. Their drive benefits kids, teens and adults. It appears that they predominantly serve homeless families.

Neighbors 4 Neighbors coordinates a number of helpful programs for the community. Their Adopt-a-Family 4 the Holidays program has helped low income families connect with Christmas help for more than 30 years! This program accepts referrals from caseworkers, who work with sponsors to help them choose gifts for the family.

North Miami-Dade College distributes donated toys at an annual event called Children’s holiday at North Campus. The event takes place in early December. It includes a visit with Santa and a parade.

Touch A Heart Foundation connects South Florida families with sponsors who can help fill simple wishes. The gifts provided from this organization are not big ticket items. Instead, they are small things like pajamas or pillows. You must be referred by a caseworker from a local nonprofit organization.

Okaloosa County

United for a Good Cause in Navarre hosts an annual Christmas Miracle Children’s Fiesta. At this event, families can get free food, free gifts and more. Live performances and free food are also available. You need to register in advance by using the “Register for Christmas Gift Help” button on their website.

Sharing and Caring of Okaloosa County in Niceville provides Christmas toys, gifts and meals to families throughout the area. When possible, they also provide other forms of assistance like help with rent, utilities and school supplies.

Food for Thought in Santa Rosa Beach provides holiday services. Christmas meal boxes and other services may be available.

Orange County

Harvest Time International in Sanford provides holiday help through their Christmas Bag of Joy program. They provide free toys to more than 4,000 children every year at their annual event. They help clients who are already being served at Community Hope Center, so you need to contact the center to get started.

Loaves and Fishes in Apopka distributes Christmas gifts to over 900 children! In order to get help, you need to be an existing Loaves and Fishes client. You’ll need to sign up with their organization to get started.

Pinellas County

YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg administers the Neighbor to Neighbor Program, which provides an incredible assortment of services to low income families who qualify. You could get a free holiday dinner and Christmas gifts, as well as a live tree and ornaments! Each child receives a free full season of youth sports or aquatics, and the entire family gets invited to YMCA’s Family Fun Events throughout the year.

Polk County

Heartland For Children in Bartow hosts an annual Rudolph Round-up Toy Drive. This effort blesses 1,500 local children with holiday gifts and memories. This organization specializes in serving foster or adopted children who have been abused or neglected.

Lake Wales Care Center in Lake Wales offers holiday assistance! Last year, they provided help to more than 500 families. They provided Christmas meals, gifts, toys and games. You need to contact their Main Office if you need assistance.

Lehigh Community Services in Lehigh Acres provides a Christmas program but they do not publicize any information about it. You’ll need to contact them for details.

New Hope For Kids in Maitland provides help for around 500 families every year through their Santa’s Bag of Hope program.

Pine Island FISH in Matlacha provides a free Christmas program every year. The Christmas Brigade can provide free gifts to families who live in the area. You need to register by November 8th.

Volusia County

Gifts of Love Food Bank in Edgewater provides food for low income families in the region. When possible, they may offer additional holiday assistance.

Summary

This list includes different programs that provide free Christmas gifts in Florida. From big cities to small towns, these groups make sure everyone can celebrate. They offer things like toys for kids and special meals. Organizations like the Salvation Army and Toys for Tots, along with local groups, are here to help. If you still need help after reviewing this list, check our nationwide Christmas resource list or call 211 for additional 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.

Donna Bastiani

Friday 3rd of November 2023

Howdy I have my Great Neice and Great Nephew with me as of now. They like making things and microscopes and gift cards for Nintendo games or whatever. I am stuck as I cannot work anymore housecleaning, I am on SS and I just need a little help. I'm am in Ocala Fl. Nephew is 14yrs old and Neice is 12years old. Greatly appreciate any Services if available.. Thank you for Any help if anyone can. There mom has lost there things due to loosing another storage unit..

Catherine Marucci

Friday 3rd of November 2023

Hi, Donna. We don't provide the gifts. You can try contacting the organizations above. I hope you find something!

Codee Richter

Friday 11th of November 2022

Hi I need it from panama city,Florida,

Kathleen

Tuesday 30th of August 2022

I'm a disabled mom of a 14 year old son my world this year is a bad year with everything I live in Lee county and would be so great full of there is any help out there

Mindi conroy

Saturday 20th of November 2021

I live in st Lucie county FL and have a 22month old daughter and we really need help this year please