Picture your kid walking the aisles of a store with a police officer, picking out Christmas gifts without you having to worry about paying for them. That’s Shop With a Cop. Police departments, sheriff’s offices, and local law enforcement organizations across the country run these holiday shopping events for children whose families are having a hard year.
Here’s the part many parents don’t know: some programs choose children through their schools, while others accept applications or nominations directly. So one of the best places to start is your child’s school counselor, and the sooner you ask, the better.
What Happens at Shop With a Cop?
Participating children are paired with police officers, sheriff’s deputies, or other law enforcement personnel. Together, they go shopping at a local store, and the program covers the purchases within its budget. The money generally comes from donations. At the Lake County, Florida, Sheriff’s Office, for example, a $100 donation sponsors one child.
What kids buy depends on the local program. Some shop for themselves, while others choose gifts for the people they love.
In Baker County, Oregon, children in grades 2 through 4 will shop for Christmas gifts for their families at the December 11, 2026, event.
In Lewis County, Washington, participating children also shop for their immediate families. The 2026 program is scheduled for December 9 and includes gift wrapping and activities after shopping.
For many kids, getting to give their mom, dad, or grandma a present can be just as special as receiving one.
Who Can Take Part?
Shop With a Cop generally serves children from families experiencing financial hardship or other difficult circumstances. However, there isn’t one national application or set of eligibility rules.
Each local organizer decides which children qualify, how many can participate, and how they’re selected.
Many programs focus on elementary or middle school children, but age limits vary. For example:
- Baker County, Oregon: Children in grades 2 through 4 participate.
- Lewis County, Washington: The 2026 program accepts children in grades 2 through 8 who live in Lewis County. Only one child per family can be selected, and children who participated previously are not eligible.
- Rogers, Arkansas: The program serves children from low-income households who are selected through their schools.
Some programs rely on recommendations from teachers or school counselors. Others use applications and may request proof of benefits or other documents.
You don’t necessarily need to be receiving government assistance to ask whether your child can be considered. The important thing is to check your local program’s requirements.
How Are Kids Chosen?
Many Shop With a Cop programs work with schools to identify children who could benefit.
In Rogers, Arkansas, every participating child is selected by their school. The police department specifically tells parents to contact their child’s school counselor if they want their child considered.
In Upper Chichester, Pennsylvania, the police department says Chichester School District guidance counselors select the children for its 2026 program.
And in Lake County, Florida, the sheriff’s office contacts elementary and middle school counselors each October to help identify children. Nominated children go through an application process before receiving an invitation.
But not every program works that way.
In Blair, Nebraska, families can apply themselves or nominate another family. The announced deadline for the 2026 program is November 27.
In other words, don’t assume your child has to wait to be nominated. Some communities give parents a way to ask directly.
How Can I Get My Child Considered?
Start with your child’s school.
Rogers police recommend contacting the school counselor, and that’s a useful first step even if you live somewhere else.
You don’t need to share your whole story. You can simply say:
“Money is really tight this Christmas. Does our school send names to Shop With a Cop or any other holiday program?”
School counselors may know about other Christmas assistance programs in your area, too. Even if your school doesn’t participate in Shop With a Cop, they might be able to connect you with a toy drive or adopt-a-family program.
Next, check your local police department or sheriff’s office.
Search online for “Shop With a Cop” followed by your city or county. Check the department’s official website and Facebook page for announcements, applications, and deadlines.
Some communities use slightly different names, including Shop With a Sheriff.
If you find an application, read the instructions carefully and submit it before the deadline. Some programs begin selecting children as early as October, while others accept applications into November.
For example:
- Lewis County, Washington: The 2026 application is due November 18, with family notifications beginning November 24.
- Blair, Nebraska: Applications and nominations for 2026 are due November 27.
These deadlines apply only to those local programs. Your community may have a different schedule.
Have any required documents ready.
Some programs ask for proof of financial need, identification, or documents confirming a child’s eligibility.
For example, Brevard County, Florida’s 2025 parent letter requested documentation such as proof of qualifying benefits, children’s birth certificates, and identification showing county residency.
That doesn’t mean every Shop With a Cop program requires those documents. Check the current application before gathering paperwork.
If you work with a caseworker, family resource center, or public housing office, you can also ask whether they know of any local holiday programs accepting nominations.
What If My Child Isn’t Picked?
Spots are limited because these programs depend on donations, volunteers, and the number of participating officers. Being eligible doesn’t guarantee that your child will be selected.
If your child isn’t chosen, there may still be other ways to get Christmas help.
But there’s one important thing to check before applying for several programs.
Some Shop With a Cop organizers restrict participation in other holiday giveaways. For example, Brevard County’s 2025 application required children not to be enrolled in another Christmas giveaway program. Lewis County’s 2025 application asked whether children had been nominated for another program.
Rules like these can vary by location and year. Read the current application, and if you’re unsure, ask the organizer whether applying for other assistance could affect your child’s eligibility.
Where it’s allowed, consider applying for additional holiday help, including:
- Toys for Tots, which distributes toys to eligible children through local campaigns.
- Salvation Army Angel Tree, which provides Christmas gifts to children through participating local programs.
- Our guide to free Christmas help for low-income families, which explains more places to look for toys, gifts, and holiday assistance.
Each program has its own rules, deadlines, and availability, so it’s worth checking early.
Relief Recap
Shop With a Cop gives selected children a chance to shop with local law enforcement officers, with purchases covered by the program. Some children shop for themselves, while others choose Christmas gifts for their families.
There isn’t one national application. Schools select children in some communities, while other programs accept applications or nominations directly. Age limits, eligibility requirements, deadlines, and available spots all depend on where you live.
Your best first step is to contact your child’s school counselor or local police department and ask how children are selected. And if you’re considering other Christmas assistance programs, check whether applying for more than one is allowed.
A quick question now could help you find an opportunity for your child this Christmas.
