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Get FREE Christmas Gifts and Food in West Virginia!

Get FREE Christmas Gifts and Food in West Virginia!

There are many places to apply for free Christmas gifts in West Virginia! From big-name organizations like Salvation Army and Toys for Tots to little-known local charities, we’ve put together a list of places you can go for free Christmas toys, free holiday meals and more!

Believe me, I understand the struggle. Before Low Income Relief became my full-time job, my family benefited from holiday assistance from organizations like this. The gifts and charity we received changed our son’s first Christmas from a dreary and depressing day to a truly exceptional event. These organizations really do change lives, and we’re thrilled to be able to present this list to you today.

Free Christmas Gifts & More in West Virginia

You can get free Christmas gifts and food in West Virginia when you apply for help from these agencies. These names might ring a bell because they are well-known national resources, but they offer help at the local level too. Be sure to check them out first!

Catholic Charities WV

Catholic Charities of West Virginia offers several programs that help low income families during the holiday season. They can help you with holiday food, Christmas gifts and even winter clothing!

The holiday food basket program provides eligible families with all the fixings for a delicious, nutritious holiday meal.

The Christmas Angel Tree program matches local businesses, corporations and community donors with families in need. The donors provide Christmas gifts and other essentials to the family.

The Cold Weather Outerwear program can provide hats, gloves, scarves and coats for low income children, homeless individuals and others in the community.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE: Low income families in West Virginia may qualify. They have many different programs that have different eligibility criteria, so you’ll need to contact them for criteria.

HOW TO APPLY: You’ll need to call Catholic Charities WV to find out what documents are required. In order to apply for services, you will need to bring the documentation with you to one of their 21 offices around the state.

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army might be able to help you provide your children with Christmas gifts through their Angel Tree or other programs. You will need to visit your local branch to get access to the resources they offer throughout the year and especially at the holidays.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE: This organization typically helps children who are 12 years old or under. In some areas, they also help seniors, siblings and parents as well.

HOW TO GET HELP: You can usually apply for the Angel Tree program online. However, some areas have not adapted to the online system yet and will require you to go into the office to apply.

Toys for Tots

The Toys for Tots campaign is a service of the US Marine Corps Reserve. Every year, they gather donated gifts from generous people around the country and distribute them to families who need a little help. You need to make sure to apply as soon as possible if you want help from this organization!

WHO IS ELIGIBLE: In most areas, Toys for Tots serves children ages 12 and under who live in a covered county. There are only 15 counties in West Virginia that are NOT covered by Toys for Tots. Please note that the age limit may be different in some areas.

HOW TO GET HELP: Go to the Toys for Tots website and click the Request a Toy program to start your application.

Other Christmas Help in West Virginia

A variety of national organizations also offer Christmas assistance in New Mexico. Our extensive directory includes providers that frequently cater to families in your locality. They can help with free meals, complimentary Christmas trees, and many other festive needs. Be sure to explore our comprehensive list of Christmas resources for additional support.

Local Christmas Help Near You

There are additional places you can apply for free Christmas gifts to help make your holiday magical. These charities offer help to people who live in certain cities, counties or regions. Any statewide providers are listed in the section above.

Cabell County

New Baptist Church in Huntington has a food pantry that provides free food for those in need. They may be able to help with your holiday meal.

Hancock County

Community Bread Basket in Weirton provides assistance with food year-round. They may be able to help you with your holiday meal.

Kenawha County

Heart & Hand Ministries in South Charleston operates a Christmas program that begins on October 1 every year. They can also help with rent, utilities, clothing vouchers, nonskid shoes or steel-toe boots required for employment, diapers, food and more!

This organization serves residents who live in:

  • Alum Creek
  • Davis Creek
  • Dunbar
  • Institute
  • South Charleston
  • St. Albans
  • Tornado

Mountain Mission in Charleston provides a food bank and free Christmas gifts to help with your holiday celebrations. They also help with housing costs, utilities, medical prescriptions, clothing, furniture, appliances and other basic needs.

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in St. Albans has a food bank and a holiday basket program that can help you. You’ll need to register for the baskets in advance. If you want Christmas help, make sure to apply early!

Union Mission Ministries in Charleston hosts an Annual Christmas Shop. This shop provides free Christmas gifts to children age 16 and under, as long as the family receives SNAP benefits. You have to apply before mid-December in order to get help.

Marshall & Ohio County

Mount Olivet United Methodist Church in Wheeling has a food pantry that helps those who are struggling in either Ohio or Marshall County.

Sophie Moses Free Store in Wheeling offers new and gently used items to members of the community who need them. The items are provided for free. They can help with clothing, hygiene products, furniture, shoes and more. The store is open by appointment only.

The Soup Kitchen of Greater Wheeling helps match children in need to sponsors who can purchase gifts for them. Their Just for Kidz program provides help with new clothes, school supplies and holiday gifts.

Putnam County

Heart & Hand Ministries in Putnam operates a Christmas program that begins on October 1 every year. They can also help with rent, utilities, clothing vouchers, nonskid shoes or steel-toe boots required for employment, diapers, food and more! This location serves all of Putnam County.

Wayne County

Wayne County, WV Christmas Wishes is a Facebook group that provides Christmas help. The children create wish lists in the group so that people can sponsor them during the holidays. To qualify for this program, you have to have children under 18 and you can’t have signed up for assistance with other agencies. Send them a message through Facebook to register. 

Appalachia Mission Excursion in Hillsborough offers their Appalachia Christmas Mission program where they buy, wrap, and distribute free Christmas gifts to hundreds of children every year. The toys are handed out by Santa and Mrs. Claus, as well as Sleepytime Bear and all of the Elves in the workshop.

Relief Recap

If you’re looking for free Christmas gifts and food in West Virginia, there are many places you can apply! This article includes a resource list organized by county so that you can quickly find the organizations that may be able to help you. Follow the application instructions included here to get your family registered for free holiday help.

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

Monday 11th of December 2023

Hi Angel. It might be worth calling 211 to see if they know of any lists that are still open in your area.

Anthony Duane Falls

Monday 19th of December 2022

@Chloe Skupnick,

Catherine Marucci

Wednesday 30th of November 2022

Hi Robin. If you've already tried the options above, it may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of anything in your area.

Catherine Marucci

Friday 9th of September 2022

Hi Sally. If the above resources aren't helpful in your area, it may be worth reaching out and calling 211 to see if there is anything else they can suggest.