Get FREE Christmas Gifts and Food in Polk County FL – If you need some assistance over the holiday season and live in Polk County, Florida, then this article is for you! Here you will see resources to help those living in Lakeland, Bartow, Winter Haven, and other nearby communities. Christmas in Polk County FL is a great time to visit! You’ll get free gifts and food from participating businesses, so be sure to check out their websites before you go. Plus, there are some great events happening this winter! Make sure to check out the event website for more information.
Discover how and where to obtain free food in your Des Moines or Polk County neighborhood. Food pantries and soup kitchens can be found in many charitable organizations and churches across the country.
Daily assistance in the form of free groceries and information on programs that assist over a longer period, such as applications for SNAP food stamps, Meals on Wheels, or other benefits, can typically be obtained from the centers; the vast majority of which are charitable organizations.
These centers provide short-term assistance such as this. This article will also share a phone number for other free meal programs.
What is the Christmas Season In Polk County FL
Christmas is a time to celebrate the holiday season with family and friends. In Polk County FL, there are many different types of gifts that people can receive. Some of these gifts include free food, toys, or other fun activities.
Get Free Food in Polk County, Florida
Adventist Church of Winter Haven: During the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, the Adventist Church of Winter Haven invites all low-income families, seniors, homeless individuals, and veterans to their food pantry so that they can participate in their Festival of Praise.
During this festival, families are provided with a holiday dinner at the church, have the opportunity to participate in fun activities, and are given a meal bag to take home with them.
In addition, they provide families with bags of groceries throughout the year that include essential food items such as frozen foods, fresh foods, fruits, veggies, and more. These food services are available throughout the entire year. Please email at the given address if you want to receive meals from the church or if you would like further information.
This program allows low-income families to obtain emergency food from local agencies and pantries. This food assistance can help you save money on groceries to pay other bills or afford necessities such as clothing or medicine for the family. You will need to contact one of the food banks below in Polk County if you wish to take advantage of this limited aid program.
Food Bank Offer Free Food in Polk County FL
City Of Refuge Church of God in Christ
The City of Refuge Church of God in Christ in Lakeland extends an invitation to their COR Compassion Pantry to all individuals with limited incomes, those who are homeless, senior citizens, and veterans. They distribute bags of goods and clothing to those in need in the Lakeland region and others in Polk County through their pantry. In addition, they provide counseling services and connections to other organizations that can provide additional assistance.
The food pantry is open from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm on Mondays and Thursdays, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm on Tuesdays and Sundays, and 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm on Wednesdays and Fridays. It focuses on helping the homeless and other individuals in crisis.
They offer some of their services for free and others at a reduced cost. They focus on providing food for Polk County families with children and seniors in need. Their pantry provides fresh and frozen foods, dairy products, bread and meat, fruits, and pasta to those who need them most.
Please call them at the below number if you want more information about their services or if you want to register for free food.
- Call: (863) 937-9208
Metropolitan Ministries of Polk County FL
Each day, Metropolitan Ministries serves hot meals and provides families with food boxes that contain enough food to last for three days. Residents with low incomes can come to the ministry once a month to get canned or boxed food; however, hot meals are given on an as-needed basis.
They provide services for many areas in Polk County and other counties. They also offer limited food, emergency diapers, and other resources to anyone in need. They also help seniors that would not otherwise be able to receive assistance from the government or social services. Please call on the below number if you have any questions regarding their services.
- Call: (813) 209-1000
The Mission
To further assist low-income families in Polk County, the Mission in the Winter Haven township provides not only a food pantry but also, from Monday through Friday, meals that are cooked to order. In addition, they provide several other helpful services, including free showers, laundry services, lectures on addiction, and the distribution of hygienic products.
It offers a weekly food pantry that is open to all Polk County residents, including seniors and disabled individuals. They distribute a bag of fresh food in addition to canned and packaged items as needed. They also have a baby pantry that provides items for infants and toddlers.
The pantry is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Please call on the below number if you need more information or want to volunteer at the pantry, become a client, or need additional information.
Contact them if you want to register for free food as part of a federal program such as SNAP or TANF. They also offer information on shelters in Polk County, clothing closets, job searching assistance, free medical care, disability services, and other regional resources. They serve anyone needing emergency food assistance, regardless of income or background.
Please call them below if you are interested in signing up for their services or would like more information about them.
- Call: (863) 299-2348
Programs offer Free Christmas Gifts in Polk County, Florida
Cops For Kids Program
Toys are collected by the “Cops For Kids” program in Lakeland for distribution to children from low-income households throughout Polk County. Following that, registered families go to their distribution site on the 14th of December at 5:30 pm to pick up the goods they choose for their children.
Each kid gets a bunch of books, games, gift certificates, and toys suited for their age group. In addition, during the event, children can take pictures with Santa Claus and receive a free dinner from Chick-fil-a.
The Cops for Kids program was initiated in 1998 by the Polk County Police Department to provide toys for children, foster care kids, and their siblings. Children are now referred to by all of the county’s non-profit agencies. Over 2800 children received gifts at their Holiday Give-Away event this past year. The program is one of the largest in Polk County each year.
Call at below number if you would like more information about their services or if you would like to register for some toys.
- Call: (863) 834-6000
Heartland For Children
To make the holiday season more joyful for low-income families, Heartland For Children in Bartow organizes an annual toy drive known as the Rudolph Round-up Toy Drive. Following the event, enrolled families will have the opportunity to pick up a suitcase of presents for their children.
This organization helps children in Polk County that have a disability, are living with a disability, or are foster care-aged children. In the past year, they have distributed toys to over 2000 children.
Following Christmas, hundreds of volunteers in Polk County head out to deliver gifts to homeless people and those that live under bridges. Volunteers called “Harold Smokers” go door-to-door and pass out gifts while some lead sledding tours along the way.
Volunteers can sign up for the annual event on their next trip to drop off any additional donations they may want to donate to help them during this time of need.
This pouch will contain a gift certificate in addition to games, toys, apparel, and books. Please get in touch with Andrea Hagan at the number below, extension 214, if you are interested in learning more about their services or registering for gifts.
- Call: (863) 519-8900
Lake Wales Care Center
Families in need residing in Polk County can receive Christmas assistance through the Lake Wales Care Center, located in Lake Wales. Families have the opportunity to register with the facility and get brand new, unopened presents on Christmas morning, including toys, food, and other items.
In addition, they provide families with aid throughout the year in the form of different forms of assistance, such as assistance with the payment of bills, assistance with the purchase of gasoline, daily counseling services, and hot meals. The Center also provides Christmas meals, toys, and clothes, in addition, to helping with school supplies and medical prescriptions.
They assist all of the families in Polk County. Call them on the below number if you would like more information about their services or if you would like to register for Christmas services.
Polk County families have several options available through this organization that are open year-round, including clothing closets, holiday meals, toys for children, and other support services. They also have a job placement program if a family member needs help finding employment.
Please call Mary at the below number extension 1303 if you would like more information about their services or if you would like to register for presents.
- Call: (863) 676-6678
Lehigh Community Services
During the holiday season, the Lehigh Community Services organization in Lehigh Acres gives away free toys to children living in poverty.
On Wednesdays and Fridays between 9:00 and 11:00 in the morning, children are welcome to visit their pantries to select toys to take home with them.
In addition, they have a food pantry where families can receive multiple bags filled with non-perishable and perishable food, as well as backpacks, hygiene items, and other necessities. You may reach them at this number if you have any questions regarding the services that they provide:
- Call: (239) 369-5818.
Lighthouse Ministries
Stores operated by Lighthouse Ministries can be found in several Florida communities, including Lakeland, Winter Haven, Plant City, Brandon, and Auburndale. These locations provide a variety of forms of aid to low-income and vulnerable individuals. They provide case management, toys for children during the holiday season, furniture and home things, and referral services.
Many poor children living in Polk County benefit from the services provided by Lighthouse Ministries. During Christmas time, they have a toy drive that provides gifts for children of all ages and sizes, including newborns.
In addition, this organization also delivers toys for needy families for their holiday meals during Thanksgiving and Christmas. Families can receive assistance with rent payments, food stamps benefits, free haircuts, massages, and health care screenings for both adults and children. They assist with utility bills, including gas, electricity, and water, with special rates for those of low-income or disabled persons.
Please call the number below if you have any questions or want to make an appointment to receive services.
- Call: (863) 687-4076
New Hope For Kids
To provide families in need with supplies for Santa’s Bag of Hope, the organization New Hope For Kids in Maitland collaborates with several Florida businesses.
Since these families are registered with the grief or wish program of the organization, they are given toys and other items.
Families can pick up the items themselves or have them delivered to their homes one week before Christmas. You may reach them at this number if you have any questions about the services they offer or if you would like to sign up:
- Call: (407) 928-4719.
Parker Street Ministries
To help low-income families in the Grace City area, the Parker Street Ministries organization collects toys and other modest items. Toys and presents are then given out to families registered for the program and have at least one child younger than 18 years old in their household. Each child is given a bag containing various materials, including clothing, toys, games, books, and other things. Please call the below number if you would like more information about their programs or if you want to pre-register for gifts.
- Call: (863) 888-0933
Pine Island FISH
Basket Brigade is a program that Pine Island FISH in Matlacha delivers to low-income families to make the holiday season a little less stressful. Families participate in a program that provides them with a gift basket at Easter and Christmas time that contains various items such as clothing, games, and toys. In addition, they assist with non-urgent transportation, bill payment, referral services, and brand-new clothing and footwear as part of their back-to-school program. Please call this number below if you have any questions about these programs or would like to make an appointment.
- Call: (239) 283-4442
Salvation Army of Polk County, Florida
The Holiday Toy Shop is a service provided by the Salvation Army in Lakeland, Florida, to bring joy to low-income families during the holiday season. In addition, they offer a program called “Angel Tree” and one called “Adopt-A-Family” for families who do not meet the requirements to participate in their Christmas store. Each program offers families various products, including toys, clothing, food, gift certificates, and other modest presents sent to their homes.
The Salvation Army of Central Florida distributes holiday toys to low-income families through its “Angel Tree” and “Adopt A Family” programs. Families who do not wish to participate in the department store may sign up through call, email, or online.
Florida’s Department of Children & Families provides financial assistance, food stamps benefits, and health care for children and adults, including free health screenings and medications for those receiving public assistance. They also offer free meals for school-aged children, clothing closets, and other services.
Please call this number below if you want additional information regarding the services they provide.
- Call: (863) 940-9696
St. Ann’s Parish
The food pantry at St. Ann’s Parish in Haines City, Florida, participates in both the Angel Tree Program and the distribution of Christmas dinner boxes. In addition to receiving toys, books, and other little presents for the whole family, families are provided with all the necessary components to prepare a traditional holiday meal.
In addition, throughout the year, they provide courses leading to the General Equivalency Diploma (GED), temporary housing, and other emergency assistance. The parish is the place to go for families that want to sign up for any of the programs they offer and wish to do so. You can reach them at the number below if you have any questions about the services they provide.
- Call: (863) 419-4819
Talbot House Ministries
The people who are currently homeless and those on the verge of losing their homes can receive assistance from Talbot House Ministries in Lakeland. Families may visit the ministry at Christmas for a nice holiday meal and modest gifts for the children. In addition, they give out free bags of goods, showers, clothing, and overnight accommodations for homeless people. Please call the below number if you have any questions regarding the services they provide.
- Call: (863) 687-8475
Toys For Tots
A toy drive is held annually by Toys for Tots in Lakeland to collect toys for less fortunate children living throughout Polk County. To ensure that their children are enrolled in the program and eligible to receive toys, parents are required to use the “request toys” link that can be found on the organization’s website.
Now, they can supply toys for children younger than 14 years old; however, families are required to pick up their items on the 16th of December.
The local police departments, fire departments, and emergency services divisions choose the gifts. They arrange to distribute the toy gifts to children who live in the following communities: Lakeland, Winter Haven, Auburndale, Winter Garden, Bartow, Kissimmee, and Polk City.
If you want more information about this program or want to sign up for Christmas dinner boxes or toys that they distribute during the year, you can call them at the number below. Also, check FREE Christmas Gifts and Food in Des Moines And Polk County IA.
- Call: (863) 687-8475
Other ways to get Free Toys and Food at christmas in Polk County Florida
To get free food or gifts is by meeting your loved ones for lunch or dinner and asking them if they would be willing to give you some away. This often works best when you have a few people in your life who are interested in giving you something special at Christmas. Another great way to get free food or gifts is by participating in holiday baking challenges offered by various organizations. These challenges allow participants to make delicious treats without any Ingredients!
How to giveaway free toys and food in Polk County FL
Christmas is a time where family and friends come together to give away free gifts and food. One way to get free gifts and food is to go to the Christmas store. The Christmas store usually has a variety of different gift items, as well as food that is free or discounted. Some common items that are present at the Christmas store include candy canes, eggs, and cookies.
Many families choose to give away unwanted children’s toy boxes ornaments during December instead of giving them away to charity. This is an excellent way to help provide holiday cheer to others without breaking the bank. When it comes to finding free Christmas gifts for people in Polk County FL, look no further than our website! We have a wide variety of options available for you to choose from, so you’ll be able to find something perfect for everyone on your list!
Tips for Enjoying the Christmas Season In Polk county, Florida
One of the best ways to show your loved ones and friends how much you care about them during the Christmas season is by taking photos of your Christmas celebration! This can be done at any time during the year, but best if done before Christmas Day so that you can get free gifts as a thank-you.
Get free gifts from family and friends
If you’re looking for something special to give someone this holiday season, why not try getting them free gifts? Many people enjoy receiving free stuff, whether it’s things like clothes, candy, or even groceries! Be sure to plan ahead and search for deals online or in store before shopping around. And don’t forget about MERRY CHRISTMAS! Don’t forget to celebrate with some FREE FOOD!
Enjoy free food or gifts from the Christmas Season
If you want to make your loved ones this winter while still keeping things affordable, why not try going out and enjoying FREE FOOD? This means skipping the expensive meal options and instead giving your loved ones some delicious snacks or desserts they can enjoy without breaking the bank. Check out restaurants and cafes in your destination city or town for deals on happy hours and discounted food items!
How can you get your child sponsored for Christmas in Polka County, FL?
Simply dialing 2-1-1 will connect you to a human services helpline that operates throughout most of the United States. Get in touch with the Toys for Tots, Lutheran Social Services, or Salvation Army chapter in your neighborhood to determine whether they run an adopt a family program in your region.
How can you help low-income families?
Giving time and talents to those less fortunate and in need is beneficial. Raising public awareness about the importance of assisting the needy and the destitute can encourage more people to participate in the effort.
It is possible to organize groups that can support those in need, including buying them a meal, transporting them to a shelter, and providing assistance in other areas where it is required.
How much is it to sponsor a child for Christmas in Polka County, FL?
Deductible from your taxes, your contribution of just $38 per month will put a child living in poverty in touch with a caring Child Sponsorship Program that a church runs.
What is the meaning of an adopted family?
An authorized person or persons with a child placed in their houses and monitored before finalizing the adoption are referred to as adoptive families. Additionally, adoptive families have a child living in their home which has been legally adopted and is entitled to the same benefits as a child born into the family.
Conclusion
Enjoying the Christmas Season is a great way to spend some time with loved ones and get free gifts. However, it’s important to be organized and stay within budget when getting free gifts and food. By going to the Christmas store and finding family and friends who are also giving away free toys, you can have a festive holiday season without spending any money. Finally, make sure to enjoy the holidays by making photos of your loved ones and taking advantage of free gifts or discounts from the Christmas season.
There is a good chance that the free food pantries in your Polk County neighborhood can offer low-income meals, free food and groceries, and other forms of assistance, such as referrals, clothing, and assistance during the holidays.A good number of the food banks are only accessible on certain days and during specific hours. Before going to any of the food banks in the Des Moines region, it is highly recommended that you give them a call first.
Even if a center cannot meet your particular requirement, they should be able to direct people or families to alternative aid programs in Polk County or local charitable organizations. For instance, educate yourself on the various available possibilities, such as SNAP food stamps, cheap housing, school lunch programs, local thrift stores, and clothes closets.
