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Get FREE Christmas Gifts and Food in New York!

Get FREE Christmas Gifts and Food in New York!

There are a ton of organizations that provide free Christmas gifts in New York! If you need a little help this holiday season, please don’t hesitate to contact the providers on this list who may be able to assist you.

At Low Income Relief, we know firsthand how frustrating it is when you can’t provide your kiddos with a holiday celebration. It’s disappointing for your children and for you. We’ve experienced seasons when the holidays were stressful and depressing instead of merry and bright, and that’s why we’re working so hard to assemble these lists. We don’t want anyone else to ever feel the same way!

Free Christmas Gifts in New York

No matter where you’re at in New York, there are some organizations that can help you get free Christmas gifts and food. These agencies are national ones, but they operate at a local level. Check with the agency for where to visit in your area.

Catholic Charities

Catholic Charities offers many programs that provide assistance to low income people. Their programs can provide assistance with food, emergency needs and sometimes even holiday assistance. In many areas, they provide free Christmas gifts, food, and other items.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE: The Christmas assistance programs typically serve families with young children. Sometimes, they even offer Christmas help for teens!

HOW TO GET HELP: Because each area handles these programs differently, you will need to contact the Catholic Charities office near you for details about who is eligible and how to apply.

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is a great place to start when you’re trying to find free Christmas gifts in New York. You might be able to get help through the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program or enjoy a hot meal at one of their congregate sites.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE: Typically, anyone in need can get a hot meal. To qualify for free Christmas gifts, you usually need to be a low income child or a senior.

HOW TO GET HELP: You can apply for the Salvation Army Angel Tree program online. In some areas, you may need to contact your local organization for details.

Toys for Tots

The Marines Corp Reserve has a program that helps children who are low-income get toys for free at Christmas. This program is called Toys for Tots and it helps low income families register in advance.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE: This program serves children from low income families. Age limits apply, and they usually serve children who are under the age of 12. Please note that Allegheny County is not covered by Toys for Tots.

HOW TO APPLY: Click the Request a Toy button on the Toys for Tots website in order to get assistance. You’ll need to select New York from the dropdown list in order to find your program.

WNY Heroes Inc.

Veterans and military families who live in Western New York may be able to get free Christmas gifts for their children from WNY Heroes Inc.

This program allows you to request up to $100 worth of gifts per child, which is incredible! However, they ask that you do not request electronics like gaming systems, laptops, iPads or phones. They do not want their sponsors to feel obligated to purchase large gifts.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE: Veterans and active military families who are struggling financially may be able to get help from WNY Heroes Inc. This organization only serves families who live in Western New York.

HOW TO APPLY: You can fill out the application form on the WNY Heroes Inc website. You will need to have a copy of your DD214, children’s birth certificates, military ID or VA card, three months of bank statements and other documentation in order to apply.

More Christmas Help

There are more nationwide organizations like this that can provide Christmas help to low income families in New York as well! Some of these organizations can help you get free Christmas gifts, while others can provide holiday meal baskets or even decorated Christmas trees. You can get the details on all these programs in our nationwide Christmas assistance directory.

Local Christmas Help

There are many local programs that provide holiday assistance for low income families in New York. These programs may offer holiday meal baskets, free Christmas gifts, free toy giveaways, and more. Some only help young children, while others provide Christmas help for teens, seniors or others as well.

The Low Income Relief team is constantly searching for ways that you can get help with various things, including free clothing, rent assistance and more. As our team uncovers new resources, we will make sure to add any new holiday assistance programs we find to this list. In the meantime, feel free to drop your county name in the comments to remind us to search for more services in your area.

Bronx County

Astor Services in Bronx coordinates an Adopt-a-Family program for their clients. This program provides gift cards and assistance to low income families who receive help from this organization. Families who already receive services from Astor must contact the program that their child attends to ask about enrolling in the AAF Program.

Dutchess County

Dutchess County includes areas like Poughkeepsie, Beacon, Hyde Park and more. If you need Christmas help in this area, these are the resources that may be able to help you.

St. Nicholas Project in Poughkeepsie provides free Christmas gifts, clothing, and other essentials for families in Dutchess County. You will need to apply for Christmas help through Catholic Charities in order to get help. You might be required to provide information about your income. Make sure you have wish lists from your children when you go.

Pawling Resource Center in Pawling offers several compassionate offerings. They can provide gently used coats, hats and gloves. They can also provide holiday food baskets during Christmas and special Christmas baskets for seniors. During the holiday season, low income families can be adopted by donors who may provide grocery store gift cards, clothing and toys for children.

Astor Services in Rhinebeck coordinates an Adopt-a-Family program for their clients. This program provides gift cards and assistance to low income families who receive help from this organization. Families who already receive services from Astor must contact the program that their child attends to ask about enrolling in the AAF Program.

Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church in Poughkeepsie offers a food pantry that may be able to supplement your holiday meal if you need a little extra help.

Erie County

We’ve found free Christmas gifts in Buffalo, Tonawanda, Lackawanna and other locations throughout Erie County! If you need a little help this holiday season, then you should contact these agencies right away!

Buffalo City Mission in Buffalo provides a free Christmas meal at the Community Center. They also provide holiday meal boxes that can be picked up in advance.

Child and Family Services in Buffalo has an Adopt-A-Family program during the holidays in order to brighten the holidays for families in their foster care and adoption program. With this program, over 1,000 families receive help. They may also offer help throughout the year.

Community Action Organization in Buffalo provides many essential services for low income families. Through their Emergency & Family Services Department, they can provide holiday toy assistance for families who are going through a hard time.

Catholic Central Food Pantry in Buffalo offers free food to low income individuals and families in the area. You can visit once every 30 days. They may provide holiday-centric food items during Christmas and Thanksgiving.

Jefferson County

We’ve found help for residents in Jefferson County, too! If you’re in Watertown, Fort Drum, Ellisburg or the surrounding area, you may be able to get help from the organizations in this section.

Community Action Planning Council of Jefferson County in Watertown coordinates several different holiday assistance programs in the area. Their programs include Holiday Angels, Operation Warm, and more. Through these programs, you may be able to get free winter gear like coats and hats, as well as free Christmas gifts for the children in your household. You need to apply early for this program!

New Life in Watertown provides an annual Christmas Giveaway every year. You have to apply early in the season because the giveaway happens in early December. Each household can only apply once. Their giveaway provides free Christmas gifts, small appliances and a few “big ticket” items as well.

Watertown Urban Mission in Watertown operates as a food bank throughout the year. The food bank may provide special holiday meal ingredients during the Christmas season. . 

Monroe County

Monroe County includes many different cities and towns, including Rochester, Greece, Irondequoit, Perinton, Webster, Henrietta, Brighton, Chili, Gates and the surrounding area.

House Of Mercy in Rochester provides an annual Christmas Giving program for low income kids in the community. They serve children between the ages of 2 and 18. They strive to provide holiday food boxes, free Christmas gifts and winter items like coats to those who need them.

Rochester Family Mission provides Christmas assistance programs for low income residents who live in Monroe County. You must have valid ID in order to register. The holiday meal provide a complete Christmas dinner. They also provide a free toy giveaway for registered clients who are already receiving services. There is a limit of one free toy per child.

St. Andrews Food Cupboard in Rochester has an emergency food pantry available to low income families in need of food during a hard time. The pantry may provide traditional Christmas and Thanksgiving food during the holiday season when donations allow.

New York County

Saint Paul’s Roman Catholic Church in New York could help you with free food for your Christmas and Thanksgiving meals. You will need to apply for the program and not every low-income family will be approved for the program.

Niagara County

Community Missions in Niagara Falls has an Adopt-A-Family program to help underprivileged families during the holidays. With this program, families receive free Christmas gifts, grocery store gift cards, and more. The items are donated by community members and organizations.

Heart Love and Soul Food Pantry in Niagara Falls provides food, essential needs and other assistance for low income families. They may also provide holiday assistance when donations allow but it is unclear.

St. John de LaSalle Community Care in Niagara Falls offers a food pantry that provides delivery to homebound and senior clients. They also provide free Christmas gifts for children who need them.

Relief Recap

There are many community organizations that provide free Christmas gifts and other holiday assistance for low income families in New York. In this list, we’ve reviewed many different agencies that offer Christmas help with meals, gifts, toys, and other essential needs. Contact them for assistance – and don’t forget to come back next year to see if we’ve found any other ways to get help in your area!

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.

Janet serrano

Tuesday 14th of November 2023

Is there any info for Ontario county I know I'm about 30 mins from Monroe county somindont qualify for help from that county but I'm also not able to getamy places either I'm stuck home I've had 13 foot surgeries so recovering has been not the easiest

Catherine Marucci

Tuesday 14th 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.

Lorna Richardson

Thursday 2nd of November 2023

Hi, I don't see Nassau County, New York which is in Long Island, NY. Thanks your the BEST!!!

Catherine Marucci

Friday 3rd of November 2023

Hi. We'll look into it! In the meantime, it may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of anything in your area.

helen

Sunday 1st of October 2023

@Nicole, may god bless u and help u as you help the whole world

helen

Sunday 1st of October 2023

nicole u are a god send, your heart is at the right place, may god bless u and protect you

Catherine Marucci

Tuesday 6th of December 2022

Hi Jennifer. 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.