Skip to Content

Get FREE Christmas Help in Wisconsin | Gifts, Food and More

Get FREE Christmas Help in Wisconsin | Gifts, Food and More

Christmas help is available in Wisconsin! From major charities like Salvation Army to small local churches, we’ve found many organizations that will allow you to apply for free Christmas gifts, food and more in your area!

Free Christmas Help in Wisconsin

There are many nationwide charities that provide free Christmas help to families in Wisconsin. These include well-known providers like Salvation Army, Toys for Tots and more.

Catholic Charities

Catholic Charities offers a Christmas and Cold Weather Giving Program that helps low income families who need help with Christmas gifts, groceries and other needs.

It appears that you must be an existing Catholic Charities client in order to get holiday help. You do not have to be Catholic to work with this organization. They provide help with rent, utilities and other services.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE: Low income families can receive services from Catholic Charities, regardless of their religious affiliation. Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee serves low income people in Dodge, Fond du Lac, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Kenosha, Sheboygan, Walworth, Washington and Waukesha Counties.

HOW TO GET HELP: You will need to contact Catholic Charities directly to get help from their programs.

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army in Wisconsin spreads holiday cheer by offering free Christmas help to those in need. Through their annual holiday assistance programs, they provide toys, warm clothing, hot meals and essential items to families and individuals who may be facing financial hardships during the festive season.

These heartwarming initiatives bring the community together, ensuring that everyone can experience the joy of Christmas, regardless of their circumstances. Whether it’s a child receiving a cherished toy or a family receiving much-needed support, the Salvation Army’s efforts embody the true spirit of giving during the holiday season in Wisconsin.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE: Meals, warm winter clothing and other services are available to low income individuals. Free Christmas gifts are usually only available for young children or seniors.

HOW TO GET HELP: You can usually register online for the Angel Tree program that provides gifts. For other services, you’ll need to contact 211 or contact your local Salvation Army directly.

Toys for Tots

Using the Toys for Tots program, you could get help with a variety of toys for your little ones. The organization offers free Christmas gifts to people who are in need and who want to make Christmas special for their children.

This program is sponsored by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and helps children who come from low income families.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE: Toys for Tots helps children from low income families. Each local chapter can set their own age limits. You have to live in an area with a Toys for Tots program. Most areas in Wisconsin have one; only 30 counties are not covered.

HOW TO GET HELP: You need to visit the Toys for Tots website and click the Request a Toy button to start the application.

More Christmas Help

There are other big nationwide charities that provide Christmas help to families in Wisconsin as well. Don’t forget to check out our list of nationwide Christmas charities for more ways that you can get free gifts, food and even decorated Christmas trees!

Local Christmas Help

There may be even more Christmas help available near you! That’s because cities and counties throughout Wisconsin have a variety of programs to give back to the communities.

We are constantly finding new holiday help resources while we research other topics. Every time we find one in your area, we’ll add it to this list. Don’t forget to come back next year for updates!

Adams County

Adams County Angel Tree Program helps children in Adams County get free Christmas gifts from donors. You have to provide proof of address and ID when you apply. Applications for this program are accepted between late October and mid-November so that there are time to match children with donors.

Dane County

Empty Stocking Club distributes free Christmas gifts every year to children age 16 and under in Dane County and the surrounding area. Each child can receive one toy and one book. This annual toy giveaway happens in mid-December, about 10 days before the Christmas holiday.

Sawyer County

First Lutheran Church in Hayward provides free Christmas gifts to children who are age 17 and under. Their program is called Operation Christmas. This program provides a holiday food basket and one gift for each child. Seniors who are homebound can receive a plate of cookies.

Sheboygan County

There are a variety of programs that offer Christmas help in Sheboygan, Plymouth, Howards Grove and the surrounding areas. Don’t hesitant to reach out to these local organizations!

Shop with a Cop is an annual service provided by the Sheboygan County Law Enforcement Association. This program provides a Christmas party for around 60 children every year. The party includes a shopping trip, a meeting with Santa Claus and pizza.

In order to get help from this organization, you must be referred by a partner agency. Your family can only participate once.

The following organizations can refer your family to Shop with a Cop:

  • Attic Correctional Services
  • Big Brother’s / Sister’s of Sheboygan
  • Children with Cancer Society
  • Department of Health and Human Services of Sheboygan County
  • Head Start of Sheboygan County
  • Lutheran Social Services
  • Rainbow Kids
  • Safe Harbor
  • Sheboygan County Public Health
  • St. Vincent DePaul Society
  • The Catholic Charities Association of Sheboygan
  • The Salvation Army

Every year, different schools are selected to refer children as well. You’ll need to check the Sheboygan County website to find out what schools are participating this year.

Making Spirits Bright is a an event that benefits the Sheboygan Food Pantry. The food pantry may be able to provide Christmas help with your holiday meal. At the Making Spirits Bright event, you may be able to enjoy a visit with Santa, enter a wreath raffle, and enjoy free entertainment.

Relief Recap

There are many ways to get free Christmas help in Wisconsin! From the Salvation Army’s well-known Angel Tree program to the local Empty Stocking Club, we’ve found many options that can help you get toys, food and more to help make your holiday celebration brighter. Contact the agencies on this list for details or call 211 to find more holiday assistance programs near you!

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.

Alora Kuehn

Sunday 3rd of September 2023

How do we sign up for this program?

Catherine Marucci

Tuesday 5th of September 2023

Hi Alora. Follow the links in the article, or you can call 211 to see if they can give any further guidance.

Marie Ratzel

Monday 28th of November 2022

I am looking for a free gift gas card

Catherine Marucci

Tuesday 29th of November 2022

Hi Marie. Here's our info on help with gas: https://lowincomerelief.com/how-to-get-free-gas-vouchers/

Shannon

Tuesday 4th of October 2022

Do you serve Eau Claire County in Wisconsin

Catherine Marucci

Tuesday 4th of October 2022

Hi Shannon. You can call 211 to see if there is anything in your area.

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/

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/