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Get FREE Christmas Gifts and Food in Texas!

Get FREE Christmas Gifts and Food in Texas!

Free Christmas help in Texas is available! We’ve found many different programs and organizations that band together to make the holidays magical for those who can’t afford it.

At Low Income Relief, we know firsthand how stressful and heartbreaking it can be when you can’t afford a huge holiday celebration. Sometimes, financial worries can make your holiday more stressful and depressing than merry and bright.

In this article, we’ll list all of the Christmas assistance programs we’ve found in Texas. Buckle up, because it’s a big list!

Get Free Christmas Gifts in Texas

No matter where you live in Texas, you may be able to get holiday assistance from the agencies in this section. They tend to start registering early but if you’ve missed the deadlines, don’t despair! Check out the local resource section below for even more ways that you can get help.

Family Service

Family Service provides an Adopt-a-Family program for low income families. This program can provide free Christmas gifts and other forms of assistance to families that qualify. Their program covers 14 counties in South Texas!

It is not entirely clear, but it looks like you need to be participating in one of the organization’s 25 helpful programs in order to get Christmas assistance. Their website indicates that many of their programs are school-based, so you can contact your school social worker and ask to be connected to them.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE: School-age children who live in one of 14 participating counties in South Texas may be eligible.

HOW TO APPLY: You need to contact Family Service for details. Your school counselor or social worker may be able to connect you to them.

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army provides help to low-income families in need of Christmas gifts and other resources during the holiday season and different times of the year. You might be able to get help from the Salvation Army with specific toys for your children.

The Angel Tree program is very helpful because the Salvation Army gathers wish lists from needy families, which are placed on trees in popular stores and community centers. Community members buy the items and place them in donation bins, so that the Salvation Army can deliver them just before Christmas.

In many areas, the Salvation Army also offers a food pantry that hands out free bags of groceries and holiday dinner boxes filled with ham or turkey and all the traditional holiday toppings. They may also offer a soup kitchen serving hot meals daily and special holiday dinners on Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE: Usually, anyone can get a hot meal or help with groceries. However, the gifts are usually limited to low income children up to age 12.

HOW TO APPLY: Use the Location Search on the Salvation Army website to find the branch near you. You’ll need to contact them to find out how to apply, since not all locations use the online applications for the Angel Tree program.

Toys for Tots

Toys for Tots is a well-known program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, and it spreads a lot of happiness in Texas during the Christmas season. They collect new, unwrapped toys and give them to families who can’t afford gifts for their children. It’s a great way for Texas families to get free Christmas gifts!

In Texas, Toys for Tots operates in most counties. Only 97 of the state’s 254 counties are not covered by Toys for Tots. You can find a list of participating states on the Toys for Tots website.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE: Toys for Tots typically helps low income children who are 12 years old or under. However, local branches may have different guidelines.

HOW TO APPLY: Go to ToysforTots.org and click the big red “Request a Toy” button to get started. You’ll need to select your state and then your county from the drop-down list. Continue to follow the prompts.

More Christmas Help

If you’re in Texas and searching for more holiday assistance, there’s a whole list of nationwide resources waiting for you. Beyond the toys for kids, there are special programs like Senior Angel Tree, which ensures that our elders are not forgotten during this time of giving, and free Christmas tree programs that add a touch of holiday spirit to homes.

Take a moment to check out our Nationwide Christmas Help Directory for even more ways that you can get help making your holiday season merry and bright!

More Local Christmas Help Near You

You could find even more help with Christmas gifts in your area through local churches, charities and assistance programs! If you’re looking for free Christmas help in Texas, scan the list below for your county to find more resources that can help you.

Bexar County

Adopt A Needy Family helps families who live in or near Bexar County, Texas. This program provides Christmas gifts, bedding, hygiene items, detergent and more. It matches families to donors who provide the items that are needed. This organization only accepts requests from school counselors or school social workers, so reach out to your child’s school if you need help.

Blue Cares in San Antonio provides Christmas assistance through their partnership with police officers and volunteers in the area. Children must be 13 years old or younger in order to get help. You must live within San Antonio city limits as well. Click “Request Assistance” on their website to get help.

Jarels Toy Chest in San Antonio holds the largest free toy event in Texas. During this event, they give one high-quality toy to children between the ages of newborn and 12 years old. Toys get distributed on a first come first serve basis.

Brazoria County

Brazoria County Dream Center in Clute hosts a Dream Gifts Program. This program serves children up to 15 years old who would otherwise not get any gifts. The registration period is open until mid-November but it may close earlier if they receive too many requests.

Lake Jackson Police Department in Lake Jackson has helped low income families celebrate the holidays for more than 10 years. You can apply at the front desk or email your application. The application can be found on their website.

Interfaith Food Bank offers a food pantry for residents of Lake Jackson, Clute, and Richwood who are struggling to put food on the table. The organization might offer holiday food during the holiday months.

Dallas County

Christmas in the Park in Dallas provides free Christmas gifts for low income families in the area. You need to register in advance at People’s Missionary Baptist Church. Their distribution event happens in Mid-December at Fair Park.

Dallas Life in Dallas provides seasonal holiday meals at their homeless recovery center for those who don’t have homes.

Sharing Life Outreach in Mesquite provides annual Christmas assistance for around 1,000 children through their Christmas Faire program. Low income families can get free stuffed animals, toys, stockings, stocking stuffers, wrapping paper, bedding and more. You need to register in advance.

Metrocrest Services in Carrollton provides a Christmas program that can help low income families during the holidays. If you live in their service area, you may be able to get free winter coats, Christmas gifts, food and more. They serve children, families and seniors who live in Carrollton, Addison, Farmers Branch, Coppell, or the Dallas zip code 75287.

Fort Bend County

East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry in Stafford provides holiday food baskets to low income families in their service area. The baskets include everything needed to cook a traditional holiday fare like pumpkin pies.

My Brothers Keeper Outreach Center in Houston serves people in Harris or Fort Bend County. They offer many services, including Christmas gifts and groceries. They can also provide school supplies, uniforms, food pantry services and financial assistance with rent and utilities.

Santa Exchange in Sugarland providers Christmas help to around 4,000 Fort end County children every year. This is done through a partnership with Toys for Tots and other programs that offer free Christmas gifts.

Galveston County

Interfaith Caring Ministries in Webster hosts an annual ICM Christmas Store that invites low income parents to get free gifts for their children. In order to be eligible, you must have received services from Interfaith Caring Ministries sometime during the year.

Galveston County Food Bank in Texas City provides holiday meal boxes in December for those who qualify. These boxes can help boost your holiday meal!.

St. Vincent’s House in Galveston has a food bank and other services that can help low income families. It is not clear if they have a Christmas program, but they may be able to help you with general food needs.

Harris County

Bethel’s Heavenly Hands in Houston provides free food boxes for the holiday sand throughout the year. They also provide hot meals. To find out more about how they can help you, visit their website.

Christmas Super Feast in Houston is an annual service of the City Wide Club. For more than 40 years, this event has fed and provided clothing to tens of thousands of attendees at the George R Brown Convention Center on Christmas Eve.

Helping Hands Charity in Houston provides food to those who need it. They may also provide assistance with holiday gifts but that isn’t immediately clear.

Houston Children’s Charity in Houston provides free Christmas gifts to low income families who qualify. You must apply online in advance. You’ll be asked to submit copies of your photo ID, proof of address, proof of income, and other documentation. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Register on their website.

Operation Stocking Stuffer in Houston is a Christmas assistance program hosted by the Houston Fire Department. They provide toys to more than 20,000 children every year!

My Brothers Keeper Outreach Center in Houston serves people in Harris or Fort Bend County. They offer many services, including Christmas gifts and groceries. They can also provide school supplies, uniforms, food pantry services and financial assistance with rent and utilities.

Hidalgo County

McAllen Police Department in McAllen hosts an annual Christmas giveaway to low income families. The event includes free gifts for children and treats.

Secret Santa Society in Rio Grade Valley helps children in South Texas get Christmas gifts. Children at certain schools are encouraged to make Christmas lists, which are then filled by Secret Santa team members.

Jefferson County

Texas Food Bank in Beaumont may be able to help with your holiday meal. They provide year-round nutritional support for seniors, children, and families who don’t have sufficient food to eat.

Johnson County

Field Street Baptist Church in Cleburne offers the Spirit Of Sharing Ministries for families in need of help all year long. They might have holiday food available.

Westhill Church Of Christ in Cleburne offers The Bridge Program to help support families in need during times of financial struggle. The program might also be able to help with bags of holiday food during Christmas and Thanksgiving.

Tarrant County

Community Food Bank in Fort Worth provides free Christmas gifts to their clients. It looks like you may need to already use the food bank in order to get help.

Goodfellow Fund in Fort Worth serves families with school age children in Tarrant County. You need to provide proof of address, income and more in order to get help.

Grace Food Pantry in Grapevine uses a voucher system to allow clients to choose food items that meet their cultural and dietary preferences. They may be able to help you with your holiday meal.

Mission Arlington Metroplex in Arlington invites low income families to shop for their children in a free Christmas Store. Children up to age 17 can receive assistance from this program, which serves nearly 30,000 children every year.

The Women’s Center in Fort Worth provides a holiday program for their clients. They provide gifts to children and teens.

Taylor County

Christian Service Center in Abilene provides free Christmas gifts for low income families in the area.

Travis County

Blue Santa in Leander provides food and up to three gifts per child. Seniors can also get help from this program! If donations allow, this program can also provide new blankets and a space heater as well. They serve areas in North or Northwest Austin including Cedar Park, Leander and those who live within Leander ISD boundaries.

Blue Santa in Pflugerville offers free Christmas gifts too! You need to apply in advance for this program but the application is available on their website. You must apply before December 2nd.

Brown Santa is a service of the Travis County Sheriff’s Office. In order to be eligible, you must live in unincorporated Travis County, outside of Austin. You must meet income limits as well. Apply by December 3!

Operation Blue Santa in Austin provides free Christmas gifts for low income children. Their program serves almost 6,000 children per year. You need to contact the program operator to sign up.

Upbring in Austin provides an Angel Tree for children in foster homes.

Summary

There are many resources for free Christmas gifts and food in Texas if you know where to look! This list includes many different nationally recognized and small local charities that can provide holiday help for your family this year. Just follow the instructions above to reach out and get the help you need!

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

Tuesday 26th of December 2023

Hi Jacqueline. There aren't a lot of good resources for moving, unfortunately. It may be worth calling 211 or contacting Catholic Charities to see if there is any help with gas. https://lowincomerelief.com/how-to-get-free-gas-vouchers/

Shirley Favors

Monday 4th of December 2023

Hi Nicole I watch your vids allthe time on YouTube You Help soany people y being so informative and I appreciate your transparentcy. I am a single mother of 5 that has just transitioned out of homelessness, I dont have much but we are so greatful for being able to have our own apartmet now. We are in El Paso Texas now and I have next to nothing to give my family for the upcoming holiday so please any ad all information is welcomed. Thank You So Much for your Kindness... Blessing upon you and your family!!

Catherine Marucci

Monday 4th of December 2023

Hi Shirley. If the resources above are not helpful, it may be worth calling 211 to see if there is anything else they can suggest. I hope you find something!

Christina Chandler

Wednesday 29th of November 2023

Hopefully I can get some help …. I just have a big family. 6 kids ranging from 20-3. Going thru a divorce n he is incarcerated and then other parent is incarcerated as well. Just moved back to Texas and my resource list is not great right now!

Catherine Marucci

Thursday 30th of November 2023

Hi Christina. If the resources above are not helpful in your area, it may be worth calling 211 to see if there is anything else they can suggest.

Marie Velasquez

Wednesday 22nd of November 2023

I am 56yrs old, single grandparent of 4 girls 14, 13, 9 & 8yrs. and 4yr old boy. I am self employed as a personal care tech. (3 clients) to support my family. Unfortunately 2mos. ago I lost a client (my father), while mourning his loss, the month after I lost another client (my grandmother). These holidays will be very impossible for my family. If any one can help or has any info. of anyone hiring for any kind of work please provide info. Much appreciated.

Catherine Marucci

Friday 24th of November 2023

Hi. If the resources above are not helpful, it may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of anything else in your area. For work, here are some options to consider: https://lowincomerelief.com/i-need-a-job-now/ I hope you find something!

Catherine Marucci

Tuesday 21st of November 2023

Hi. If the resources above are not helpful, it may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of any other options in your area.