Get FREE Christmas Gifts & Food In Georgia! (2024)

If you’re looking for free Christmas gifts in Georgia, you’re not alone! Many families are feeling the same way. But there’s good news!

There are programs all across the state designed to help families like yours during the holiday season. From toys and gifts for your children to food for a festive meal, these programs are here to give you a helping hand.

In this article, we’ll share a list of places where you can find Christmas assistance in Georgia. Let’s bring the joy of the season to every home!

Free Christmas Gifts in Georgia

If you are looking to light up your child’s face with a present under the tree, there are several organizations that operate statewide that can help you find free Christmas gifts.

Clark’s Christmas Kids

Clark’s Christmas Kids is a special program that helps children in foster care get Christmas gifts. This program has been helping for 33 years. Last year, it gave more than 22,000 gifts to kids who needed them. On average, each child received three gifts.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE: Foster children in the state of Georgia may be eligible for this program.

HOW TO APPLY: You will need to reach out to the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services for application instructions.

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is known for helping families during Christmas. They run the Angel Tree program. Through this program, they give new toys and clothes to children in need. If you want to get help from the Angel Tree program, you can sign up at your local Salvation Army.

They also help with food during the holidays. You can get a box with the fixings for a Christmas meal. Plus, they often have big holiday dinners at their community centers.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE: The Salvation Army usually provides free gifts to children and sometimes seniors. Free meals are typically available for anyone who needs one.

HOW TO APPLY: If you need a little extra help this Christmas, find your local Salvation Army chapter. They offer support with kindness and respect. The Locator Tool on their website can help you find the location nearest you.

Toys for Tots

Toys for Tots is a program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. It collects new, unwrapped toys and gives them to children in need. The goal is to deliver a message of hope and to make the holiday season brighter for less fortunate youngsters.

In Georgia, Toys for Tots works with local businesses and community leaders to collect toys. During the fall, you can find toy drop-off boxes in many places. After the toys are collected, they are sorted by age and gender. Then, they are given out to families in time for Christmas.

Toys for Tots operates throughout most of Georgia. It appears that only the following counties are NOT covered by this program: Bacon, Clay, Crawford, Dade, Grady, Jasper, Macon, Putnam, Rabun, Taylor, Telfair, Twiggs, Washington, Webster and Wilkinson Counties.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE: Each Toys for Tots location sets their own guidelines but they typically serve children who are 12 years old or younger.

HOW TO APPLY: You will need to fill out the Request a Toy form on the Toys for Tots website. It’s best to sign up early to make sure your children are included.

Other Resources

There are many nationwide Christmas assistance charities that also help low income people in Georgia. These include organizations that provide free gifts, food and even Christmas trees to children, seniors and more. You can find the full list in our nationwide Christmas resource directory.

Local Christmas Assistance in Georgia

In many local counties across Georgia, small charities step up to provide Christmas assistance as well. They offer everything from toys and clothing to food for families who need a bit of extra help during the holidays.

These local groups understand their communities well and work closely with neighbors to ensure that the spirit of giving reaches everyone. If you’re looking for support in your own county, these small charities can be a great resource. They often have their own sign-up processes, so it’s a good idea to connect with them directly to learn how they can assist your family during Christmas.

Columbus

Feeding the Valley is a food pantry that can help throughout the year. If you need help with food for the holidays, they may be able to assist you.

Valley Rescue Mission in Columbus hosts an annual toy and food drive for the holidays. In recent years, the soaring cost of groceries has caused the organization to shift their focus toward food. Gifts may still be available for children ages 12 and under, though. You need to register with the Mission in advance, so contact them right away.

Henry County

Community Cares Toy Shop in McDonough provides free gifts for children under age 13. Their shop includes unwrapped puzzles, LEGOs, board games, RC toys, electronics, stocking stuffers, bikes, clothing items and more. It all depends on donations. In order to get help, you need to be referred by your child’s school counselor or social worker. Reach out to them as soon as possible if you need help!

Helping In His Name Ministries in Stockbridge is a food bank that helps low income families in Henry County. You can get help once per month! However, the assistance is provided by appointment only so you need to call them to make an appointment.

Bibb County

Kids Yule Love in Macon provides free Christmas gifts, toys, bibles and hope to children in Middle Georgia. This organization also hosts Seniors Yule Love, a program that serves seniors in nursing homes. During other times of the year, this organization provides help with school supplies and Easter baskets as well.

Macon Outreach in Macon may be able to help you with food. They offer a hot meal program and a food pantry that can provide help. They receive weekly bread donations from Starbucks, Panera Bread and Publix as well! They also have a clothing closet that offers help with clothes, bibles and books.

Muscogee County

Warm-A-Heart in Columbus is an outreach and referral center that helps low income families in this area. They also serve the homeless, sick, or homebound. They may provide holiday assistance through their Give a Basket program. They also offer food, clothing, furniture, shelter assistance, school clothes, basic school supplies, hygiene kits and more.

WNN Food Panty in Columbus provides holiday food boxes for Thanksgiving and Christmas. These boxes are typically distributed about two weeks before the holiday, so you need to contact the right away for help.

Newton County

Newton County Sheriff’s Office has historically operated a Guardian Angels Program that provides Christmas assistance to children age 15 and under. You must be a Newton County resident and have a birth certificate for each child that you are applying for. You’ll need to contact the Sheriff’s Office to see if the program is operational this year.

Whitfield County

City of Refuge in Dalton offers many programs that help low income families. These programs can help you with food, clothing, household items and so much more. It is not clear if they offer a Christmas assistance program but they may be able to help you with food.

Sharing is Caring in Dalton provides Christmas gifts to low income children in Whitfield County. Their annual event happens in mid-December. It appears you may need to contact the United Way for a referral.

Summary

As the holiday season approaches in Georgia, remember that there’s help available if you need it. Programs like Toys for Tots and The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree are ready to make sure your children have gifts to open on Christmas Day. Local organizations are also there to lend a hand with food and festivities. So, take a moment to reach out if you need assistance, and let the community help bring the joy of Christmas to your family.