Holiday Assistance Programs

During the holiday season, community partners across San Diego offer programs that help make the holidays possible for individuals and families that would otherwise not be able to celebrate. We can help connect you to holiday assistance programs in your area. Please note, these programs are seasonal and therefore are not available year-round.

Holiday Services

Holiday Gifts/Toys – Programs, generally supported by donations from the community, that provide gifts such as clothing, toys, and other items to help low-income individuals and families, older adults, hospital patients, and others celebrate any of the annual holidays.

Holiday Meals: Programs that provide a hot Christmas meal in a congregate setting for low-income and homeless individuals and families who might otherwise have no opportunity to celebrate the holidays. Also included are programs that deliver Christmas meals to people’s homes.

Holiday Festivals: Programs that sponsor special events during the Christmas season which may feature decorated trees, displays of decorated wreaths, gingerbread houses, stocking parlors, food, entertainment, holiday crafts shopping, live reindeer, and appearances by Santa.

Holiday Baskets: Programs, generally supported by donations from the community, that attempt to facilitate enjoyment of the Christmas season by low-income community residents through distribution of food baskets which usually contain a ham, turkey or other meat and all of the trimmings for a Christmas dinner (or vouchers to purchase these items) and occasionally gifts for children or other family members.