Christmas can be difficult for Illinois families, especially when they can’t afford Christmas gifts or a special Christmas dinner for their families. We know firsthand how frustrating it is when you can’t provide your kiddos with the holiday celebration they expect or yearn for. Sometimes, the money just isn’t there.
Fortunately, we’ve found help! There are agencies all around Illinois that are dedicated to helping low income families (and especially children) have a blessed and enjoyable holiday season.
Get free Christmas gifts and food in Illinois!
No matter where in Illinois you’re located, these agencies may be able to help. They serve most of the United States.
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is famous for their holiday bell-ringers who gather donations. In addition to these fundraising efforts, they also save Christmas for low income families across the country by providing free gifts and food. In order to get help from the Salvation Army, visit their website to find your local chapter.
Toys for Tots
Toys for Tots is another famous Christmas campaign that distributes toys to children who need them. In order to receive help from the Marines Toys for Tots drive, you’ll need to visit their official website.
Get free Christmas gifts and food in your local Illinois community!
There are many people and organizations working to save Christmas for local families. These agencies operate on a local level and can only be found by investigating what exists in your local community. We’re doing that research for you, one Illinois county at a time!
If you don’t see your county on this list, please leave a comment and let me know. This series is written entirely by reader request so we don’t start working on a new area until we receive a request for it.
Cook County
There are many Churches and other charitable organizations that are working to save Christmas in Chicago and throughout Cook County, Illinois! If you need a little help this holiday season, here’s a list of places that can help you.
Dekalb County
Whether you live in the city of Dekalb, Sycamore, Sandwich or elsewhere in the county, we’ve done a lot of searching to find help for your family this holiday season! Here’s our list of Dekalb County resources.
DuPage County
DuPage County includes Aurora, Naperville, Boilingbrook, Wheaton, Downers Grove and other cities. If you live in this county and you’ve ever wondered what kind of help is available for your family during the holidays, then this is the list you’ve been looking for.
LaSalle County
Residents of Ottawa, Streator, Peru, LaSalle and other LaSalle County cities have reason to rejoice this holiday season! We’ve found a lot of help in your area. We’ve found agencies that will help you get free Christmas gifts, food as well as clothing, shoes and more! Find out how your family can get help here.
Ogle County
If you live in Ogle County and you need help this holiday season, we’ve found several agencies that can provide assistance to your family. Ogle County families can click here to see what’s available.
Peoria County (Peoria only)
In the early days of this site, we used to research resources city-by-city. Of course, that quickly became complicated and out-of-control due to overlapping resources and the amount of time it takes to investigate each individual city. That’s why we now conduct our research by county instead.
That’s why we have an article about Peoria the city and not yet one about Peoria the county. We have not yet had any additional requests for information in this area, so if you’d like more information about other areas in Peoria County please let me know. In the meantime, this is what we’ve found so far.
Sangamon County
Sangamon County is served by over a dozen agencies. Whether you live in Springfield, Chatham, Auburn, Sherman or another city in the county, here’s the list of agencies that serve your area.
Union County
Union County residents, including those who live in Anna and Jonesboro, may be able to receive assistance from several different programs. Here’s a full list of what we found in Union County.
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Nicole Thelin
Have too much month at the end of your money? Me too - and that's how Low Income Relief got started. I have over 20 years of professional research and writing experience. Over the years, I've worked as a novelist, journalist, ghostwriter and content creator. My work has been featured in various print and online publications, including USA Today, eHow.com, Livestrong.com, Legal Beagle, The Daily Herald (Provo, Utah), The Chronicle (Centralia, WA) and others. At Low Income Relief, I use my professional research and reporting experience to help low income families save money and make ends meet. It's been my full-time job since 2016, and it's truly an honor to serve you.
Louise Fancher
Sunday 19th of December 2021
I haven't seen Madison county? Please tell me you have a way to help people like me? The only benefit/help I get is housing which is a blessing. I don't have a job, car, ssi check,(no income what so ever), washer/dryer, help with personal things/tolietries, clothing, Someone claimed my child on taxes and got all the stimulus and the child tax credit every month as well as no one to help me I've called the IRS no one will help. I have called and supposed to IRS I spoke to SSI I have spoke to public aid I'm supposed to the unemployment office I am supposed to everyone and I cannot receive no help. What is a single mother to do? Any suggestions?
Isaac
Monday 17th of January 2022
The organizations in our list should be able to help you with this, but unfortunately Low Income Relief does not provide gifts, food or funds directly. You will need to contact the organizations in this list for assistance or chat with Lira! She should be able to help, https://lowincomerelief.com/chat/
Nicky M Vonderheidt
Monday 13th of December 2021
Im needing help for Christmas gifts for my 3 kids im in Macoupin County Illinois
Isaac
Monday 13th of December 2021
The organizations in our list should be able to help you with this, but unfortunately Low Income Relief does not provide gifts, food or funds directly. You will need to contact the organizations in this list for assistance or chat with Lira! She should be able to help, https://lowincomerelief.com/chat/
Teri Ross
Tuesday 30th of November 2021
I am trying to find help in Franklin county Il I live in a very small village (Logan)and there doesn't seem to be much help in my area. I have one child 14 year old autistic son his father and myself anything would be a great help.
Thank you
Isaac
Monday 13th of December 2021
The organizations in our list should be able to help you with this, but unfortunately Low Income Relief does not provide gifts, food or funds directly. You will need to contact the organizations in this list for assistance or chat with Lira! She should be able to help, https://lowincomerelief.com/chat/
Nicole Evilsizer
Sunday 21st of November 2021
Trying to fig away get Christmas for grandkids and kids
Isaac
Saturday 27th of November 2021
The organizations in our list should be able to help you with this, but unfortunately Low Income Relief does not provide gifts, food or funds directly. You will need to contact the organizations in this list for assistance.
Elizabeth Beal
Thursday 3rd of December 2020
Saline County please
Hannah Benge
Monday 7th of December 2020
This is on the research list, but in the meantime you can look here https://youtu.be/UDx9ISmIlAg. Hope this helps! -Hannah