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Get FREE Christmas Gifts and Food in Pennsylvania!

Get FREE Christmas Gifts and Food in Pennsylvania!

If you’re wondering where to apply for free Christmas gifts in your area, you’re in luck! We’ve scoured the state to find different charities, churches and organizations that provide free Christmas toys, meals, trees and other forms of holiday help in your area.

Get Free Christmas Gifts in Pennsylvania

There are agencies that can help you with free Christmas gifts, food and more throughout in Pennsylvania! These national agencies have branches at local levels that might be able to help you get access to free holiday help.

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army Angel Tree program is a beacon of holiday cheer in Pennsylvania cities like Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Harrisburg.

Through this program, residents can ‘adopt’ an angel by choosing a tag from a tree, which lists a child or senior’s Christmas wish. Gifts are then bought and returned to the tree, making sure everyone in these communities can enjoy a special Christmas gift.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE: This program typically serves low income children and sometimes seniors who live in a participating service area.

HOW TO APPLY: If your area accepts online applications, you can apply on the Salvation Army Angel Tree website. Some areas don’t participate in the online application process, so you may need to find your local Salvation Army chapter and contact them directly.

Toys for Tots

Toys for Tots, run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, is also active in Pennsylvania. There are only 10 Pennsylvania counties that do not have a Toys for Tots program, so this program covers most of the state!

This program collects new, unwrapped toys for children who might not otherwise receive holiday gifts. Local residents can drop off toy donations in boxes spread across these cities, helping bring the magic of Christmas to every child.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE: Toys for Tots typically serves children who are between 0-12 years of age. Sometimes the age limits may vary depending on which area you live in.

HOW TO APPLY: Go to the Toys for Tots website and click the “Request a Toy” button. Select your state and county to start the application.

More Free Christmas Gifts

For even more ways that you can get free Christmas gifts in Pennsylvania, check out our Nationwide Christmas Directory! This list includes major nationwide charities that offer free Christmas trees, meals, groceries, gifts and so much more.

Get Free Christmas Gifts Near You

There may be even more ways to save money and get free Christmas help this holiday season! Many local churches, charities and other organizations work together to provide holiday cheer for children, seniors, and others who need a little help during this time of year.

Skim the county list below to find even more ways that you might be able to apply for free Christmas gifts in your area this holiday season!

Allegheny County

DHS Holiday Project provides holiday gifts to families who are already receiving services for child malnutrition or homelessness. Eligible families may receive sporting equipment, winter weather gear, board games, toys, toiletries and more through this program.

Batch-a-Toys provides more than 8,000 free toys every year through their holiday drive. The presents are hand-delivered to families on Christmas Eve every year. You need to contact Best of the Batch Foundation for more information.

North Hills Community Outreach provides a Holiday Toy Shop every season. This shop can provide free toys and Christmas gifts to children in Pittsburgh, Millvale, Allison Park and nearby areas. They also provide new coats and other assistance programs too. You must register with Vicki in advance so be sure to contact them right away if you need help.

Operation Once In A Lifetime in Pittsburgh offers free toys for military families, including veterans and active duty military families. This program is called Toys for Troops. You need to email the correct coordinator for your area. You can find their email address on the Operation Once in a Lifetime website.

Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation offer multiple programs during the holidays for financially challenged families. Giving a shoebox full of gifts to seniors in assisted living, children at the Children’s Hospital, and women in shelters and holding a toy drive to offer toys and gifts to families in the community.

Play It Forward in Pittsburgh operates a beautiful exchange program. Families are invited to donate gently used toys to this organization, which then distributes them to families that are going through a hard time. Every year, they host a free toy store event in mid-December. You must sign up in advance for their first two distributions, but you can walk into the third event without registering.

Resurrection Parish in Pittsburgh invites financially challenged families to take part in their Angel Tree program. This program may provide families with free toys, clothing, and other needs. To receive aid, families must sign up on the Parish website.

Berks County

Boyertown Area Multi-Services offers a food bank for low-income families in Berks County, including Reading residents. As the name suggests, Boyertown Area Multi-Services also has some other services, such as energy bill assistance and a Meals on Wheels program for people who have trouble traveling to a food bank. They also have a Christmas Gifts for Families program that helps match struggling families with generous donors who can provide some extra holiday cheer.

Bucks County

Bucks County Opportunity Council coordinates an Adopt-a-Family program that helps struggling families in Bucks County. In order to apply for free Christmas gifts through this program, you must already be enrolled in other BCOC services.

Lenape Valley Foundation in Doylestown coordinates a Holiday Assistance Program that benefits 500 people in the community each year. With this program, families may receive free toys, books, clothing, shoes, and groceries from community member donations. It is not clear what is required to enroll.

Pathways PA provides holiday kits to their clients who request them. These kits may include things like clothing, earrings for mom, learning toys or books for children, diapers or toys for babies, or earbuds and hygiene products for teenagers. You need to be already registered as a Pathways PA client in order to receive these services.

Pennridge FISH in Perkasie, offers a holiday meal program that can provide extra food for your holiday feast! You must be a registered client before you can request this service, though. The Christmas distribution occurs starting December 1.

Volunteers of America of the Delaware Valley offers their Adopt-A-Family program for low-income families living in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. This program connects families in need with donors who buy the family items.

Chester County

Bringing Hope Home in Malvern offers their Adopt-A-Family program to low-income families who struggle with a cancer diagnosis during the holidays. Families get paired with sponsors who in turn provide Christmas gifts.

Dear Santa Society in West Chester is a great place to go if you want to apply for free Christmas gifts in your area. To get help, you need to send an email to them with an outline of your situation, information about your household and more. You can find the contact information on their website.

First Presbyterian Church in West Chester offers free Christmas gifts and other support for migrant families during the holiday season. Registered families receive toys, clothing, games, and food for their family to enjoy on Christmas morning.

Saint Peters Episcopal Church in West Chester provides a daily lunch program that can provide free hot meals. This meal may be available on Christmas Day as well. They also have other programs that may be able to help you but they do not appear to give out Christmas toys.

West Chester Food Cupboard provides free groceries to low income families who live in the Greater West Chester area. Be sure to call ahead for hours and more information.

Delaware County

CityTeam in Chester provides a free hot Christmas meal at their shelter. They may also provide assistance with other needs.

Share Food Program provides free food, including fresh produce and home deliveries, to people who need help in Philadelphia. If you They may be able to help you get more food for your holiday meal.

Erie County

Martin Luther King Center in Erie offers a food pantry and various social services that can help low income people in their area. They can provide groceries, clothing, coats for kids, seasonal vouchers and more through various programs. They also offer free toys through their Christmas Toy Distribution program. You need to enroll on their website in order to get help.

Corry Area Food Pantry provides monthly food distributions for each qualifying family. They provide enough supplies to feed the family for about a week. This can be a great way to get food for your holiday meal.

Elk County

Project Gifts For Elk County provides free toys and gifts for children in Elks County who participate in their school’s National School Lunch Program. If your family gets free or reduced price student meals, you may be able to get Christmas help from this organization.

St. Callistus Roman Catholic Church appears to offer some form of Christmas help. Their website mentions a Christmas Hat and Mitten Tree, but it is not clear what all that includes.

Lancaster County

Lancaster Brethren in Christ hosts a food bank for those in the Manheim Township Community (17601 and 17520 zip codes). This food bank is open once a month on the third Thursday during specific hours. You must apply before you can get food.

Lancaster County Project For The Needy in Lancaster provides holiday food boxes to families shortly before Christmas each year.

Shop With A Cop in Lancaster offers children of low-income families the opportunity of a lifetime. Selected children get picked up by uniformed officers and taken shopping with at a local store.

Mercer County

Community Food Warehouse provides grocery assistance throughout Mercer County. If you need help with your holiday meal, they may be able to provide you with some extra supplies.

The Good Shepherd Center in Greenville offers help with groceries and hot meals during the holiday season. In past seasons, they also offered a Christmas gift program but it is not immediately clear if that program is continuing this year.

Monroe County

Swiftwater Food Pantry in Swiftwater provides free food to the community on Saturdays. This is a drive-up service that allows you to pick up a pre-packaged food box.

Pocono Mountain Ecumenical Hunger Ministry in Tobyhanna offers a food pantry for low-income families. You might be able to get food for Christmas and Thanksgiving close to the holidays.

Montgomery County

Boyertown Area Multi-Services in Pottstown offers a food bank for low-income families in Northumberland County, including Reading residents. As the name suggests, Boyertown Area Multi-Services also has some other services, such as energy bill assistance and a Meals on Wheels program for people who have trouble traveling to a food bank. They also have a Christmas Gifts for Families program that helps match struggling families with generous donors who can provide some extra holiday cheer.

Share Food Program provides free food, including fresh produce and home deliveries, to people who need help in Philadelphia. If you They may be able to help you get more food for your holiday meal.

Northumberland County

Christ Wesleyan Church in Milton has a food pantry available for low-income residents of Northumberland, Pennsylvania. The pantry might be able to help during the holiday season.

Trinity United Methodist Church in Northumberland offers a food pantry for low-income residents. The food they give out during the holidays might be geared toward holiday meals.

Philadelphia County

Bridesburg United Methodist Church provides food to people who live in either the 19134 or 19137 zip codes. The pantry is open every Tuesday. They may be able to help you get food for your holiday meal.

Share Food Program provides free food, including fresh produce and home deliveries, to people who need help in Philadelphia. If you They may be able to help you get more food for your holiday meal.

Pike County

Bushkill Outreach in Bushkill provides free food to people near serves all low-income residents in their area. They might even provide holiday ingredients near the holidays for a festive meal.

Schuylkill County

Schuylkill Community Action coordinates a Better Holiday Project each year. This program provides winter clothing, festive holiday meals and free toys to children. This organization only serves about 15 families per year, as donations allow.

Relief Recap

If you want to apply for free Christmas gifts near you, this directory includes a lot of places that you can turn for help in Pennsylvania. From nationwide organizations like Salvation Army to small local charities, we’ve scoured the state to find all the options available to you. Contact these organizations directly or call 211 for more personalized assistance!

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.

ruthie

Wednesday 13th of December 2023

@nichole weisner, i live in union city and need help also who do i turn to for help

Catherine Marucci

Wednesday 13th of December 2023

Hi. Have you already tried calling 211? They might know of something.

Amy

Friday 17th of November 2023

Is there anything around Clearfield county Pennsylvania

Catherine Marucci

Friday 17th of November 2023

Hi. If the list above isn't helpful, it may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of anything in your area.

Catherine Marucci

Saturday 3rd of December 2022

Hi Tomika. If the options above aren't helpful in your case, it may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of anything else.