Fort Smith Arkansas and surrounding county free Christmas and holiday assistance.
There are a few places to get assistance during Christmas, Thanksgiving, and other holidays in the Forth Smith metropolitan area. Everything from free toys for kids to Thanksgiving turkeys, holiday food boxes or bags, and much more is given to low income families or really anyone in need. Find some of the main programs, including Angel Tree as well as Toys for Tots, below
The Fort Smith metropolitan area holiday programs covers 6 counties and two states. The regions include Crawford, Franklin County, Logan, and Sebastian County in Arkansas as well as Le Flore or Sequoyah County in Oklahoma. Some of these counties are rural, so low income families may need o travel to apply for free Christmas presents, toys, or clothes for their kids. Or they can try to get Christmas toys by mail order. Another option will be meals on wheels for hot Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas food, and more.
When seeking help, apply early. The charities offer assistance first come and served basis.
Project Compassion, Inc.
The Hearts of Gold Campaign is only for people who live in a facility they service. Many different Christmas gifts may be given out, ranging from clothing (sweat pants, shoes, etc.) to small presents such as toys. This is not a public program and only for people in the program already. Address is 1205 South Albert Pike, Fort Smith, AR 72903. Call (479) 783-2273.
Salvation Army centers
There are several in the region, including Sebastian County, Sequoyah, the city of Fort Smith, and other nearby regions. This may be the primary place for holiday help in the region. They offer:
- Free Thanksgiving dinners or meals, including with all the toppings.
- Angel Tree Christmas gifts, toys, and presents for kids.
- Adopt A Family, which donors (including businesses) adopt entire struggling families and may give them free Christmas games, books, gifts as well as holiday food boxes.
- Financial aid, thrift store, referrals, and more.
The main site for Fort Smith is at 301 North 6th Street, Fort Smith, AR 72902. Call 783-6145. Another option, Salvation Army for Le Flore County Oklahoma is at 400 Dewey Ave, Poteau, OK 74953. The main number is (918) 647-8780. This Christian church based charity focuses on helping children, the low income, and working poor in the county only.
Or find other regional Salvation Army Centers. Locate Salvation Army holiday programs in other nearby counties in Arkansas as well as Oklahoma.
Regional Toys for Tots programs
This is an assistance program for the entire Fort Smith Arkansas regional area, including the counties of Sebastian, Crawford, Sequoyah, and others. The Marine Corps partner with the United Way, volunteers, and other groups to provide help to children, teenagers, and infants at Christmas. Free Christmas toys, games, gifts, and more may be offered. The application period starts in October, and apply early. Call 211 for information on where and how to get free Toys for Tots Christmas gifts.
First Presbyterian Church (FPC)
Location is 116 North 12th Street
Fort Smith, Arkansas
Main number is 479.783.8919
The assistance program they offer is known as The Christmas Store. Volunteers collect toys, clothes, gifts, and other items and they distribute them to kids. All of the toys are new. Note they are not free, but sold at a lower cost to anyone looking to save money. The goal is to help parents help themselves, so the Christmas gifts are combined with food, advice, self-sufficiency, and other support.
Free holiday programs from regional Catholic Charities
They offer various forms of support, including emergency rent and/or utility bill help. When it comes to the seasonal services, there is everything from free back to school supplies to Christmas gifts, food boxes, and a meals on wheels service for the homebound and/or seniors. Call a location for details on Thanksgiving turkey meals, free games, books, and Christmas presents for kids and much more.
- Catholic Charities Helping Center of Sequoyah County is at 409 N Adams St, Sallisaw, OK 74955. Telephone number is (918) 775-6111
- Catholic Charities of Le Flore County - 410 N Bagwell, Poteau, OK 74953. Call (918) 647-2220.
Central Christian Church - Pantry
400 North Waldron
Fort Smith, Arkansas 72903
Dial (479) 452-1901
This charity serves food or hot meals/dinners only, including for holiday meals. A few assistance programs are offered for low income families, the needy as well as senior citizens too in Crawford County. The food pantry and soup kitchen mostly give food, but in some cases small toys or gifts are provided as well.
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