For many families across the United States, the holiday season brings both joy and pressure. Rising costs of living, food insecurity, and financial strain can make it difficult to afford gifts, special meals, or seasonal essentials. To ease that burden, nationwide programs step in each year to provide toys, meals, winter support, and emergency aid, ensuring families don’t have to navigate the season alone.
To help, we’ve compiled a guide to national holiday support resources offering gift assistance, food programs, donor-supported wish lists, and broader community services. These programs help families feel seen, supported, and better equipped to create meaningful holiday moments, regardless of financial circumstances. Bookmark this guide or share it with someone who may need it, because every family deserves warmth and support during the holidays.
Nationwide Holiday Financial Support Resources
The Salvation Army
Overview: The Salvation Army serves families across the country with meals, toys, clothing, and financial support throughout the holiday season. Recognizing that the holidays can bring both financial and emotional stress, the organization provides programs that bring comfort, dignity, and relief.
What They Offer:
Angel Tree – Holiday gifts and toys for children
Adopt-an-Angel – Donors provide clothing and gifts for children in need
Thanksgiving & Christmas Meals – Hot meals, fresh produce boxes, and mobile pantry distribution
Visit The Salvation Army’s website here.
USPS Operation Santa
Overview: Operation Santa allows individuals and groups to “adopt” letters written by children and families in need. Volunteers select a letter, purchase the requested items, and send gifts directly—creating holiday magic for households facing hardship.
Visit USPS Operation Santa’s website here.
Toys for Tots
Overview: Founded by the Marine Corps Reserve, Toys for Tots collects and distributes new toys to children experiencing economic hardship. Their programs now extend beyond toy drives to include literacy outreach and specialized support for foster care and Native American communities.
What They Offer:
Marine Toys for Tots – Holiday toy distribution
Foster Care Program – Support for 400,000+ children in foster care
Native American Program – Toys and books for Native American children
Youth Ambassador Program – Recognizes youth supporting Toys for Tots
Literacy Program – Books and educational resources for children
Visit Toys for Tots’ website here.
Feeding America
Overview: Feeding America supports families year-round and during the holidays with meal resources, SNAP support, and school and community-based food access programs.
What They Offer:
Holiday Meal Boxes (location-dependent)
SNAP Application Assistance
Senior Food Programs
School Pantries
BackPack Programs
Visit Feeding America’s website here.
Catholic Charities USA
Overview: Catholic Charities USA provides nationwide support through housing services, food programs, disaster relief, and immigrant and refugee assistance. Their network of 168 agencies helps families maintain stability during the holidays and beyond.
What They Offer:
Local Agency Support
Housing Assistance
Disaster Relief
Nutrition Services
Immigrant & Refugee Support
Visit Catholic Charities USA’s website here.
Other Holiday Resources:
211.org (Operated by United Ways, Goodwill, Community Action Partnerships, and local crisis centers)
Family Giving Tree (California)
Projects with Care — Stockings with Care (New York City)
Armed Services YMCA — Operation Holiday Joy (Alaska, California, Hawaii, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington)
Looking for More Support?
Holiday needs look different for every family, but no parent should have to navigate this season alone. Whether you're seeking toy programs, meal support, emergency aid, or nationwide assistance, these programs can provide guidance, stability, and hope. For even more resources, visit our digital resource hub (currently being compiled) for additional programs and tools. We’d also love to hear from you, if you’ve found any resources particularly helpful, please share them with us at editorial@connectingmothersinitiative.org.