Christmas Assistance Programs in Olmsted County, MN
In Olmsted County, MN, multiple organizations collect and distribute Christmas gifts to families in need every December. It's an incredible effort, as there's so much need, it takes three distribution events to meet this need. The challenge is that many community members use the names of these different programs (Christmas Anonymous, Toys for Tots, etc.) interchangeably. None of us want a family in need of help this Christmas to think they've missed their only opportunity to receive help, simply because they think all of these names refer to one single assistance program. Each name refers to a different program, run by a different organization.
Below are the most important things community members need to know, whether they are in need of Christmas assistance, or they are hoping to contribute to these efforts with donated gifts or volunteer time.
There are three Christmas gift distribution efforts in Olmsted County: Adopt a Family, Christmas Anonymous, and The Salvation Army Toy & Joy Shop. It's important for families to know that they are only eligible for one program each year. For example, families who receive gifts from Christmas Anonymous may not also receive gifts from The Salvation Army. This is to ensure there are enough gifts for every family in need across all distribution events, especially as each event relies on gifts donated from members of the community.
Adopt a Family does not place an age limit on the children or families eligible for their program. The application deadline for this program is November 8th, 2024, and applications must be completed by a family's HHH county worker. If you have families with an HHH county worker, they should connect with their worker directly about this program.
Christmas Anonymous will distribute gifts on December 14, 2024. Families need an Application ID before they can complete an application to receive gifts at christmasanonymous.org. Christmas Anonymous serves children 18 and younger. It is important to note that Christmas Anonymous has a limited number of applications, and that they'll stop accepting applications once they have 725 applications or on November 25th (whichever comes first). Gifts will be displayed throughout the day on December 14 for parents and guardians to shop for gifts for their children.
The Salvation Army Toy & Joy Shop will distribute gifts on December 18th and 19th for families with children 16 and younger (any child turning 17 after Christmas Day 2024 is eligible to receive gifts). Families do not need an access code to apply for gifts at saangeltree.org. We will accept applications until December 15th. While we strongly encourage families to apply for assistance as soon as possible, families who have not applied for assistance before December 15th are able to call our social services team at 507-288-3663 about late applications for the Toy & Joy Shop. Like Christmas Anonymous, The Salvation Army will place donated gifts on display at our 20 First Avenue NE building here in Rochester, MN, so that parents and guardians may select gifts for the children in their households.
Christmas Anonymous uses public housing guidelines, and The Salvation Army Toy & Joy Shop uses MN energy assistance guidelines to determine income eligibility for these programs. Both of these guidelines take household size into account, not just household income. Families should review these guidelines, or connect directly with Christmas Anonymous or The Salvation Army, before assuming they are or are not eligible for Christmas assistance.
For additional information about Christmas assistance options in Olmsted County, please call 507-288-3663. Click here to volunteer for The Salvation Army Toy & Joy Shop between December 17 and December 19, 2024.
Community members who donate Christmas gifts truly make all of these programs possible. Whether you donate directly to The Salvation Army Toy & Joy Shop, donate gifts to Toys for Tots, or donate gifts to Christmas Anonymous via their one day collection event at KTTC, please know that your kindness provides a bright Christmas morning for a child right here in Olmsted County.
God Bless You!