Skip to Content

Get FREE Christmas Gifts and Food in Tennessee!

Get FREE Christmas Gifts and Food in Tennessee!

Need a little Christmas help? You can apply for free Christmas gifts and food from many different providers in Tennessee! We have a full list in this article.

After all, our team knows firsthand how frustrating it is when you can’t provide your kiddos with an impressive holiday celebration. Sometimes, financial stress can make the holidays downright stressful and depressing. Fortunately, there are ways that you can apply for free Christmas gifts this year!

Free Christmas Gifts in Tennessee

There are many large nationwide organizations that provide help with Christmas. These include Salvation Army, Toys for Tots and many other charities. Here’s what you need to know about these big organizations – for smaller local organizations, you’ll need to look under the Local subheading below.

Good Samaritan Ministries

Good Samaritan Ministries provides an annual Christmas program called Hope for the Holidays. This program provides a holiday meal and free Christmas gifts for children in qualifying families.

In order to be able to receive assistance from this organization, you need to live in one of these counties:

  • Carter
  • Greene
  • Hamblen
  • Hancock
  • Hawkins
  • Johnson
  • Sullivan
  • Unicoi
  • Washington

WHO IS ELIGIBLE: Gifts are only are provided to children ages 17 and under. If your child is 18 years old but still enrolled in high school, they may also be eligible.

HOW TO APPLY: Visit their website and follow the application instructions to apply for this program. Registration typically closes in mid-November.

Mission of Hope

Mission of Hope is a nonprofit dedicated to serving low income families in rural Appalachia. Their Christmas program, known as the Cyber Barrel Christmas Drive, helps families every year!

This program aims to provide new coats, clothing, and free toys for children who are enrolled in PreK to 8th Grade. Each gift has a suggested value of around $15.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE: Families in rural Appalachia who have children that attend PreK – 8th Grade at a local school may be eligible for help.

HOW TO APPLY: The organization does not share application instructions publicly. I recommend contacting them directly or asking the school social worker at your child’s school for more information.

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program is one of America’s favorite Christmas assistance programs. From their signature Red Kettle Campaign to the decorated trees they place in local retailers, most people have heard about this program but relatively few know how it works.

In order to get help from this program, you need to register with the Salvation Army in advance. They’ll gather some basic information about your children. Only the basic info will be used to create a tag for a tree. This information will include an age and gift requests. Donors will grab the tag, buy the items, and return the gifts and the tag for your child.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE: This program typically serves children who are 0-12 years old. In some areas, seniors or older children may also be able to receive assistance.

HOW TO APPLY: If your area accepts online applications, you can apply on the Angel Tree website. Otherwise, you’ll need to find your local Salvation Army chapter and contact them directly for application instructions.

Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative (SVEC)

The Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative coordinates an Angel Tree and holiday food program. This program provides food to local food banks. This information was located in their newsletters that they send out periodically.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE: The gifts are given to Head Start students and nursing homes in Pikeville and Monteagle.

HOW TO APPLY: You will need to register your eligible student with Head Start in order to benefit from this holiday assistance program.

Toys for Tots

Toys for Tots is another highly-recognizable program that provides help with Christmas. They gather donations and give them away to children who qualify.

Toys for Tots has given away more than 600,000 free toys since their organization was established. That makes this one of the most reputable organizations that will let you apply for free Christmas gifts.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE: Typically, this program serves children who are 0-12 years old, although the age range may vary depending on the your individual location.

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

Other Christmas Help

There are even more nationwide organizations that serve low income children, seniors, veterans and people throughout the great state of Tennessee! For more ways that you can get help with Christmas, be sure to check out our main Christmas Help Directory!

Apply for Free Christmas Gifts Near You

Some of the most helpful organizations are the ones in your local community. If you want to know where you can apply for Christmas help, scroll to find your county name in the list below for everything we’ve found in your area.

Blount County

Sanitation Santa in Maryville provides free Christmas help for up to 800 families per year! This program is organized by the Department of Engineering and Public Works. They serve children up to age 15 with free toys, bikes, fishing poles, sports equipment and other items. The gifts are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis during Christmas week. No prior registration is required.

Campbell County

Cedar Hill Food Pantry in LaFollette provides food for low-income families that qualify. They may be able to help you with your holiday meals in November and December. However, they only serve people who can provide proof of residence in either Caryville, Jacksboro or LaFollette.

Davidson County

Goodlettsville Help Center provides an annual Christmas Toy Store for low income parents who live in Goodlettsville. You need to register in advance in order to get toys from the store.

Last Minute Toy Store in Nashville provides free toys to families who missed out on other Christmas programs. If it’s too late to apply for free Christmas gifts from other Tennessee organizations, Last Minute Toy Store steps up to help. Their event typically takes place less than two weeks before Christmas for families who need it.

Dyer County

New Life Union Mission in Dyerburg provides an annual toy store to help parents provide gifts to their children. It appears that the toys are discounted and not free.

Fayette County

Fayette Cares in Somerville has an annual Toy Shop distribution event that can provide free Christmas gifts and food to eligible families. The toys are only available for children who are under 13 years of age.

Hamblen County

MH Central Services in Morristown provides free Christmas gifts and food for struggling families who live in Hamblen County. You need to provide proof of address, income and identity in order to receive assistance.

Hancock County

Of One Accord Ministry provides help for low income families in Hawkins and Hancock Counties. Their Christmas For the Children program provides free Christmas gifts for children under 18 years old. Hancock County residents need to contact The Shepherd’s Corner in order to apply. Applications are due in mid-November each year.

Hawkins County

Of One Accord Ministry provides help for low income families in Hawkins and Hancock Counties. Their Christmas For the Children program provides free Christmas gifts for children under 18 years old. Hawkins County residents can apply online. Applications are due in mid-November each year.

Knox County

Care 365 in Knoxville provides free Christmas CARE packages to low income residents in Eastern Tennessee. The items they distribute are received as donations from community members and organizations that want to help families in need. Families may receive clothing, food, and free toys during the holidays. Additional help may be available throughout the year.

Empty Stocking Fund in Knoxville provides help with Christmas to 8,000 people every year! Their holiday food boxes include about 40 items each, with the goal of providing a festive holiday meal and an entire week of nutritious food. This program focuses on providing food relief and does not appear to offer free toys.

Robertson County

United Ministries Food Bank in Springfield provides holiday food boxes for residents of Robertson County. According to the United Way’s 211 Resource Directory, this organization may provide special Christmas food baskets during December.

Shelby County

Oasis Christmas Toy Store in Memphis provides new toys for at a steep discount. Parents are welcome to show up and shop for their children, purchasing brand new name brand toys for 75% off their retail price.

Operation Christmas Basket in Memphis provides Christmas baskets to low income residents every year. You can get more information on the City of Memphis website when their registrations are open. The program fills up fast, so be sure to apply early!

Westy’s Restaurant in Memphis provides a free holiday meal on Christmas morning, according to the United Way’s 211 service! The meal is served between 9am and 1pm. The dining room will not be open, so you’ll have to pick it up and take it to go.

Washington County

Shop with a Cop is an annual service provided by the Johnson City Police Department. This program serves elementary school children with warm winter clothing and free gifts. Families can also receive boxes of food. You have to register by mid-November in order to participate! Application instructions can be found on the Department website.

Relief Recap

If you’re looking for ways to apply for free Christmas gifts in Tennessee, this list can help! We’ve included a variety of nationwide and local organizations that can help make your holiday magical. Reach out to the providers listed here or call 211 for more information about Christmas assistance programs near you!

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.

Carolanne Shupard

Tuesday 12th of December 2023

I’m looking for gift help for a learning disabled 14 year old boy.

Catherine Marucci

Wednesday 13th of December 2023

Hi. If the resources above are not helpful, it may be worth calling 211. Usually they'll know of something.

Brandi Hillard

Tuesday 5th of December 2023

I live on the line of Hickman an Dickson TN I need help this year I've never had to ask till now.. This is our first year here if someone could contact me I would be so grateful Thank you An have a blessed day

Catherine Marucci

Tuesday 5th of December 2023

Hi. If the resources above are not helpful, it might be worth calling 211. They'll usually know of anything else in your area.

jess

Wednesday 29th of November 2023

is there any help in morristown tn

Catherine Marucci

Wednesday 29th of November 2023

Hi. If the organizations listed above have not been helpful, it may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of any other possibilities in your area.

Samantha George

Wednesday 29th of November 2023

Is there anything for shelbyville tn?

Catherine Marucci

Wednesday 29th of November 2023

Hi. If the organizations listed above have not been helpful, it may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of any other possibilities in your area.

Katrina Lynn

Monday 27th of November 2023

Where do I go to find help I have for kids single mother