Free Christmas and holiday assistance in Chicago and Cook County.
Churches and charities in the Chicago area operate a number of free Christmas as well as holiday assistance programs. They distribute things such as toys, free Christmas gifts, clothes, Xmas trees and free meals or food baskets at Thanksgiving or Christmas. The charities work to ensure that no child, family, or senior goes without during the holiday season. Find where to get help, Toys for Tots or Adopt a Family applications and other free holiday assistance in Chicago below.
The charities rely heavily on donations and participation from people in the Chicago and Cook County region. Most free gift cards, games, toys, food baskets and other goods are provided on a first-come served basis. Kids can get stuffed animals, video games, Legos, dolls, and of course clothes they need. The organizations try to assist as many struggling families and children as possible, including from the regional Toys for Tots program. Some even give out other items, including find a free Christmas tree near you.
Free Christmas gift giveaways Cook IL area
The Salvation Army is a leading non-profit that offer Christmas programs in both Chicago and the county. The main program is known as Angel Tree. The charity helps the homeless and low income during the holidays. Kids that qualify for the Cook County Salvation Army programs can get boots, new toys, gloves, outerwear, or whatever is offered.
The Salvation Army also offers other holiday resources. Senior citizens and the homebound can have a free meal brought to them, as well as companionship of the driver. Thrift stores sell gently used clothing, toys, and household goods. Also, food pantries and soup kitchens across Chicago may give out free groceries or hot meals at both Thanksgiving and Christmas. To learn more dial 773-725-1100. Or find more details on Salvation Army Cook County holiday assistance.
- Englewood Corps and Red Shield Center of the Salvation Army supports senior citizens. This may include meals and other assistance at Thanksgiving or Christmas. The center is based at 945 W 69th St, Chicago, IL 60621., and is for more local families. Other social services may be provided for low income elderly residents in Chicago. The primary phone number is (773) 358-3200 or (773) 358-3260.
Revive Center for Housing and Healing, formerly the Cathedral Shelter of Chicago, provides holiday food baskets, mostly to the low income or very poor. The address is 1668 W Ogden Ave, and the non-profits number is (312) 997-2222.
- The Christmas Basket Program is administered by the charity. The non-profit has assisted thousands of low income families and individuals. The Christmas Basket does more than help people celebrate holiday and Christmas season. It will also assist them with sustaining their daily efforts and help them contend with financial hardship by showing that others care about them.
Catholic Charities is another organization. One Christmas program they run is the Toy Shower. It can provide children the ability to experience the magic, joy and spirit of the holidays. Each child from a low income family will receive gifts, stocking stuffers, and toys. They can be unwrapped in their original packaging. They help single moms and immigrants in Chicago around the holiday too, with free culturally appropriate gifts, meals, and presents for the kids as well. Call 312-655-7700. The main site is at 721 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654.
- Another Catholic Charity resource is known as Sponsor-a-Family. Catholic Charities in Chicago reaches out to senior over the age of 60 in Chicago and lower income elderly people who are most in need of help around the holidays. The agency and its partner churches will respond to their basic wishes for household items, clothing, books or even free household supplies. Phone 312-655-7700 or (312) 226-0650.
Marillac St. Vincent Family Services is part of the SVDP agency too. They have a free toy "store", which is a client choice model. The location is 2145 N. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60614. Kids from low-income families in Chicago can select what Christmas toys they want, including games, clothes, tech products and more. Call 773-722-7440
Grant a Wish is a non-profit. Location is 1136 E 93rd St, Chicago, IL 60619. Telephone number is (773) 454-8352 or (773) 731-7202. Several seasonal programs are offered. One is the free Christmas and holiday gift drive. They collect donated toys, games, books, and more and provide the items to low income families in Cook County. There are also food and school supply drives, in addition to those holiday programs.
Toys for Tots Program is a holiday program administered by the US Marine Corps. They also often partner with other non-profits, such as the Salvation Army. Donations of toys, money, gifts, and clothing may be offered to less fortunate families. Kids under the age of 17 can get free board or educational games, Barbie dolls, toy trucks, sporting goods, books, gift cards and so much more.
The non-profit will provide free Christmas gifts and assistance to children in the Chicago and Cook County region who would otherwise receive none. There are donation sites across Cook County and the city of Chicago itself, and you can drop off toys or apply for help at the centers. Or learn more about Free Toys for Tots in Chicago here. https://chicago-il.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/default.aspx?nPageID=100&nPreviewInd=200&nRedirectInd=3
Dreams For Kids helps children from low income families in Chicago, single parent run homes and others in need. The address is 9 Washington Street, Chicago, Illinois 60602. Call (773) 234-8070. A number of free holiday events are held. Volunteers collect and pass out Christmas toys to needy children.
 Another Chance Church has an annual toy giveaway program. The location is 9550 S Harvard Ave, Chicago, IL 60628. They help people with a felony record, substance abusers and those looking for a fresh start get free Christmas gifts, food and more. This can include Xmas toy for their kids too. Phone: (773) 253-7474
Society of Saint Vincent de Paul operates thrift stores in the city and region too. While the charity may not have free gifts or toys, most of what they offer at the stores can be acquired at a reduced price. Many families of all income levels turn to this Chicago and Cook County Illinois organization for support. Phone 312-943-6776, 773-779-6700 or 312-655-7183.
ChiGivesBack raised money and donations from the community, and those toys and gift cards (and more) are given to low-income families. Homeless adults, and those with kids, can also get free Xmas toys, hot meals and more. The information is here. More info is here. https://www.chigivesback.com/.
Greater Love Christian Center mas multiple assistance programs. A food pantry has holiday baskets of groceries and there is a soup kitchen for Thanksgiving or Xmas dinners. Or get small toys for kids, Christmas parties for the area and more from 1612 S Hamlin Ave, Chicago, IL 60623. The main number is (773) 277-8171
Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center only helps kids from abusive homes, but this can include single moms or women fleeing abuse too. Free Christmas and thanksgiving food baskets, toys, clothes, stuffed animals and video games are given out as well as other toys that were donated. Free gift cards can also be offered. The location is 1240 S. Damen Ave., Chicago, IL 60608, and as noted this is only for families facing abuse. Call (312) 492-3700
True Rock Ministries gives kids in Chicago free Christmas toys. The assistance is for people with no money, single moms and those facing a crisis from the Acts of Kindness Initiative. All sorts of presents, clothes and other stuff is offered from the charity at 57 E. 16 Street, Chicago, IL 60616. Call 312-939-1109 for details.
Christian Valley Baptist Church offers free Christmas gifts, toys, winter coats and food to the low income. The organization, which is at 1237 S Homan Ave, Chicago, IL 60623, relies exclusively on donations from the community as part of Toys for Tots. Some of what may be distributed is as follows free bags of groceries, including hams, turkeys, canned fruits and vegetables, and more. Games, toys, and other gifts may be passed out by the ministry, based on donation levels. Call (773) 762-4417.
New Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, or MBC, offers seasonal and year round help. Kids can get free Christmas presents to open. This may be everything from clothes (socks, backpacks, etc.) to board games, tablets, dolls for girls or Matchbox for boys and more. People of all faiths can be supported from 6201 S Laflin St, Chicago, IL 60636. For information on applying call (708) 510-3870
House of Mercy Church - Iglesia Casa De Misericordia has Toys for Tots application in Spanish as well as for migrants in Chicago. Newborns, asylum seekers and others have a safe place to go for the holidays well as to get help. The location is 2300 N Narragansett Ave, Chicago, IL 60639. Call (773) 622-2498
Additional Cook County holiday organizations
The charities and churches below offer help too. Most have Toys for Tots or Adopt a Family type programs for the low-income in Cook County. They also serve holiday meals, give out small toys, Christmas decorations and help the less fortunate in other ways.
- Cosmopolitan Community Church is at 5249 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60615. Call (773) 536-3610
- Faith Works Pavillion Community Development helps people living in poverty, including at Thanksgiving and Christmas. The charity is at 6737 S East End Ave, Chicago, IL 60649. Call (773) 224-9264
- Daughter Of Destiny Outreach has toys for Tots from 929 S Independence Blvd, Chicago, IL 60624. Call (312) 256-5285
- Grace Central Church covers portion of Cook County. Free Christmas gifts, books, clothes and more is from 10216 Kitchner St, Westchester, IL 60154. Call (708) 344-5020
- Sunshine Baptist Church provides free gifts, toys and more from 3660 W Roosevelt Rd, Chicago, IL 60624. Phone number is (773) 638-1017
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