If you’re looking for free Christmas gifts in Minnesota, the organizations on this list can help! We have found several organizations that can help you get free Christmas gifts, toys, food and more this holiday season.
After all, we know firsthand how frustrating it is when you can’t provide your kiddos with a huge holiday celebration. Back in 2007 and 2008, my family relied on programs like this in order to get gifts for our young child. Watching his face brighten up as he unwrapped the gifts generously provided by strangers made all the difference to our holiday celebration!
Get Free Christmas Gifts in Minnesota
Many churches, charities and nonprofits provide free Christmas gifts and food in Minnesota. No matter what part of the state you’re in, you may be able to find help through national agencies. These agencies often have local branches that might be able to help with free gifts and food during the holiday season.
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army provides help for low income families who qualify for free Christmas gifts. They also have programs that may be able to provide you with a hot meal or a grocery box for the holidays as well.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE: Gifts are typically provided for children only, although sometimes seniors are also included. Meals are typically provided at congregate meal sites for anyone who wants to join.
HOW TO APPLY: You can register for free Christmas gifts online using the Angel Tree website. Some areas don’t accept online applications, though, so depending on where you live you may need to contact your local Salvation Army directly.
Toys for Tots
Toys for Tots plays a significant role in spreading holiday cheer among families facing financial challenges. Managed by the Marine Corps Reserve, this program collects new, unwrapped toys and distributes them to children in need across the state. Its aim is to ensure that every child in Minnesota has a present to open on Christmas morning, thus making the holiday season a little brighter.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE: Toys for Tots typically helps children who are age 12 or under, although age limits may vary by location. You also have to live in a covered county, but 41 counties in Minnesota are not covered by this program.
HOW TO APPLY: Go to the Toys for Tots website and click on the “Request a Toy” button. Select Minnesota from the drop down menu and then choose your county.
Other Christmas Help
There are even more nationwide programs that can brighten your holiday celebration! These providers may offer you free Christmas gifts, food, and even decorated trees if you need them. We don’t want to repeat the whole list here so be sure to check our Nationwide Free Christmas Resource List for even more ways to get free Christmas gifts in Minnesota!
Local Christmas Assistance in Minnesota
You can get help through your county for free Christmas gifts and food in Minnesota. In fact, some of the best resources we’ve found are in the various counties throughout the state. You could get help from organizations like food banks and missions.
If you don’t see your local county in the list below, be sure to let us know in a comment and let us know. Our researchers will take a peek and see if we can find anything new to add to our list.
Anoka County
Christmas Committee in Anoka provides free Christmas gifts, food and more for low income families in north Anoka County. Their gifts may include new books, toys, food and more. They help over 2,000 children each year! Applications open on October 1 and must be submitted by mid-November, so it’s important to act fast.
This program only serves clients who live in the following cities: Andover, Anoka, Coon Rapids, Bethel, Blaine, Burns, Cedar, Circle Pines, East Bethel, Ham Lake, Lino Lakes, Nowthen, Oak Grove, Ramsey, St. Frances, Stacey and Wyoming. They do NOT serve south Anoka County, Hennepin County or Sherburne County.
Hennepin County
CROSS Services in Rogers has a toy shop that low income families can visit. This shop can provide free gifts, blankets, toys, and gift cards for your children. These aren’t exclusively Christmas gifts, either. They’ll give you gifts for whatever holiday you celebrate! They also allow families to shop for free birthday gifts and party supplies as well.
Hospitality House Youth Development in Minneapolis operates a program called Christmas with Dignity. This program invites parents to shop for their children from a discounted store. Presents are priced at a 90% discount, which means they only cost about 10 cents per dollar value. This empowers low income parents to buy gifts that they otherwise couldn’t afford. You must provide a photo ID and birth certificate for each child to participate. This event takes place in early December each year.
Little Kitchen Food Shelf in Minneapolis serves anyone in need. They provide food and may also provide hygiene items, baby food, pet food and baby formula depending on donations.
Sharing and Caring Hands in Minneapolis has many services that help low income people in the area. Although Christmas services aren’t listed exclusively on their website, other resource directories have indicated that they have a Christmas program. Their website also says that “you can get “any request can be made,” even if it isn’t listed on the website. It never hurts to ask!
Jackson County
Lakefield MN Food Shelf in Lakefield offers Christmas meals to low income individuals and families in their area. If your children are eligible, they may be able to get up to two gifts from the Sharing Tree Tags program that they run in conjunction with the City Hall. You will need to register with their program in advance to get help.
Watonwan County
Watonwan County Food Shelf in St. James distributes food to those who need it. You can pick up items once per calendar month. They may provide meals during the holidays.
Relief Recap
If you need free Christmas gifts or other holiday assistance in Minnesota, there are many resources that can help you. These include major well-known assistance programs like Toys for Tots as well as smaller local programs like Sharing and Caring Hands.
At Low Income Relief, we’re constantly researching low income assistance programs. When we find new organizations that provide Christmas help in your area, we’ll update this list. Be sure to bookmark it so don’t miss any new opportunities next year!
I don’t see any thing for the Scott County area. Would any of the other counties offer assistance to my family.
Hi. If you call 211 they may be able to help.
I need a list of places in mound mn
Hi. It may be worth calling 211 to see if they know what is available in your area.
Hello, I’m in Duluth Minnesota and my county is St. Louis County.
Hi LaVonna. 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.
Hello, was tring to find a place to get a toy near me? I can’t seem to find one? My zip code is 55069! Thank you! Jolene
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.
Hello,
I am looking for resources for two families in need this holiday season. One is a single dad with two little boys in Princeton, MN. The other is a family of 5 (2 parents and 3 little boys) in Isle, MN. Any assistance with this would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Hi. If the above resources are not helpful in your area, it may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of anything else.
Hi Donna. I hope you found one! If you end up with a last-minute need again, it might be worth calling 211 to see if they know of anything.
I live in mower county I had spine surgery struggling to make ends meet just released from hospital in clamshell brace I have 14 grandkids counting on gifts from me is there any help available for gifts?
Hi Mary. If you have already tried the resources listed above, it may be worth contacting 211 to see if there is anything else they can suggest. You can call them directly or visit their website: https://www.211.org/
Hi Yajaira. It may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of anything in your area.
Hi Amy. If you have already tried the options listed above, it may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of anything else in your local area.
Hi. I live in Medford, MN. I have a Traumatic Brain Injury and on disability. I don’t get much. My dad has to help pay my bills and had to buy me a place to live so I could leave the hospital. I have 3 kids and a 2 yr old grandson.
Hi Shannon. If you have already tried the above resources, it may be worth calling 211 to see if there is anything else they can suggest.
My name is Alice I live in Todd county. I have looked and my county is not listed
Hi Alice. If the above resources are not helpful in your case, then it may be worth calling 211 to see if there is anything else they can suggest in your area.
Oops. I live in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Thx. B. Vallis
Looking for free holiday food baskets or food drives for the upcoming 2022 holidays.
Hi. It may be worth reaching out to the Salvation Army to ask about what will be available in your area this year.