Free Christmas Holiday Assistance in Kent and Ottawa County

Free Christmas Holiday Assistance in Kent and Ottawa County : Several free holiday assistance programs are available in Kent and Ottawa County. These programs can assist during the Christmas holiday as well as Thanksgiving. Most of them have their headquarters in or around Grand Rapids, Michigan, but they serve the entirety of the region.

Find Free holiday assistance in Kent and Ottawa County and the surrounding county, as well as other holiday assistance such as presents, meals (including Thanksgiving dinner), and other holiday-related necessities.

The following are some of the potential benefits that the programs may provide to children, senior citizens, parents, and the less fortunate:

• Donations of toys for Toys for Tots from various charities, including the Salvation Army. In addition to the Angel Tree, you can Adopt a Family.
• Freebies include presents, games, toys, Legos, tablets, and other items.
• Food boxes can assist a family in the preparation of a holiday meal, such as Thanksgiving or Christmas.
• Free candy, Christmas stocking stuffers, and other gifts are up for grabs. Applications must be submitted a significant amount of time in advance. The level of demand is extremely high in both Kent and Ottawa County. Bring proof of your income when applying for assistance during Thanksgiving or Christmas.

In addition, the use of volunteers is frequently required. Take note that certain assistance programs, such as Angel Tree and Toys for Tots Michigan, work to avoid providing the same service more than once. Therefore, a family can only receive assistance from a single organization.

Charities and Organizations Offer Free Christmas and Holiday assistance in Kent and Ottawa County

United Way of Western Michigan

This organization is one of the most well-known in Kent County. It has become a large part of the community, and they have several free Christmas toys and gifts, food baskets, and services that they provide all year long.

The majority of what we offer is a referral service. It extends across the entirety of the region, including Ottawa and Kent County. The charitable organization can direct those in need to churches, charities, and social services where United Way of Western Michigan can receive assistance with Thanksgiving meals, Christmas, financial assistance, and other forms.

Find out more information about Toys for Tots in Grant Rapids, Thanksgiving turkey dinners, bike programs, and adopt-a-family services. The elderly can get information about Free Meals on Wheels for food during the holidays or for parties in their communities.

Referrals are available for individuals, families, and single parents with difficulty. Assistance programs include:

• A Christmas Angel Tree.
• Distribution of winter and fall coats.
• Distribution of backpacks and school supplies.
• Distribution of winter and fall coats.
• Distribution of free Thanksgiving turkeys or food baskets.

Charities and other non-profit organizations may distribute free Christmas present to children of all ages, including adolescents and very young children. In addition to all these services, the organization will also get involved with distributing toys, meals, and coats for families who have suffered a tremendous loss at some point during the year.

Salvation Army Program Christmas Holiday Assistance in Kent and Ottawa County

Found in Grand Rapids and Kent, this organization provides free toys, gifts, food baskets, Christmas stockings, and packages to needy families.

Kent County also offers free clothing and food during the summer months at several homeless shelters. This program is open to any Kent County resident requiring assistance with paying utility bills. During the holiday season, the Salvation Army invites low-income families with children ranging from newborn to 13 years old to apply for their Angel Tree program.

Families who meet this program’s requirements are matched with community members who donate toys for their children. October marks the beginning of registration for the Angel Tree program. It is in everyone’s best interest to sign up as soon as possible because spots can fill up very quickly.

This organization is based in Grand Rapids and offers free toys to children from newborns up to 12 years old. They offer toys, food baskets, clothing, and other support services. All families in Ottawa County are welcome to apply regardless of their income.

This program makes it possible for low-income families to have a great holiday season. Children who have lost a parent may even be eligible for assistance through this program.

The Salvation Army program is constantly busy during December. The Angel Tree program provides gifts to families with children in Ottawa County.

Holders of this program receive vouchers for purchasing gifts, or they are allowed to pick up their gifts from various assigned locations. Placeholder signs are put up on certain days throughout the month to alert the public where their Angel Tree registration is being held.

Flat River Outreach Ministries Christmas Holiday Assistance in Kent and Ottawa County

A faith-based organization that assists families in Kent County with free Thanksgiving, Christmas, and holiday meals. The organization is based in Grand Rapids, but they do have a few locations in Kent County. Their Holiday Basket program has everything from toys and clothing to food and other items. The meals offered include turkey or ham dinners; some even include potato or soup, cranberry sauce, dessert, and a beverage. The number of meals available depends on the current need and whether volunteers are working.

Angel Tree is one of the largest organizations to offer free toys and gifts to low-income families in Kent County. The program is based in Grand Rapids, but several Kent County locations also exist. The Angel Tree was started by two men named Don and Mark, who were concerned by the large number of children who had no gift for Christmas.

A gift basket containing food for a free Christmas dinner is distributed as part of a program. Additionally, it makes an effort to give presents to children younger than three.

Toys or clothing, such as gift cards for teenagers, books, family games, socks, stuffed animals, pajamas, hats, gloves/mittens, scarves, bows, personal care products, stocking stuffers, and even free wrapping paper for the parents to use so they can give their children, even more, presents, could be among the things that are offered.

Also Read : FREE Christmas Holiday Assistance in Michigan

This program helps over 550 families with toys or gifts for their children each year. Their pilot project was launched in the 90s, but it was in 2001 that they held the first public Angel Tree program. Flat River Outreach Ministries This event took place in Grand Rapids and offered gifts to children between newborn and 12 years old.

Address: 11535 East Fulton Street, Lowell, MI 49331. 

Contact: (616) 897-8260 ext. 23

Santa Claus Girls as well as c/o Grand Rapids Press

Gift baskets are presented to children from birth up until the age of 12 years old. Santa Claus Girls as well as c/o Grand Rapids Press will likely be new and used Christmas toys, books, clothing, games, spring equipment, Barbie dolls, and a great deal of other merchandise.

All of this is distributed to disadvantaged children. Throughout its existence, the charitable organization has distributed free Christmas gifts to thousands of children living in Kent County. Kent County allows working low-income families receiving welfare to submit their applications earlier.

A variety of senior citizens in Kent County will receive free Christmas dinners, delivery of presents and toys, food baskets, and even gifts on Christmas.

The American Red Cross is another free Christmas assistance program for families in Grand Rapids. When applying for help from the Red Cross and completing an application for general help from the Salvation Army or Toys for Tots Michigan programs, ensure that you bring proof of low income to the nearest local office. Santa Claus Girls’ main goal is to assist parents who need support.

The Canada-based group, the Canadian War Museum, provides free Christmas gifts to Ottawa County families with an annual income of less than $35,000. Located in Ottawa, Ontario, this organization does not have a presence in Kent County.

In addition to programs run outside Kent County (such as Toys for Tots and Angel Tree), several organizations provide assistance and other services to Kent’s citizens during the year. While they are not free, they are better than purchasing gifts at local stores to help underprivileged families.

Toys For Tots Kent and Ottawa County

During the holiday season, Toys For Tots in Ottawa County works to collect toys from members of the community and organizations for distribution to children from families with low incomes.

Every kid who signs up for the program is given a bunch of brand-new, never-before-opened toys, and some even get brand-new bicycles. The first week of November will begin the program’s collection of toys and gifts. This is among the largest Christmas programs in Kent County. The location is in Grand Rapids, but six other locations serve a different community for each day of the month.

This Thanksgiving celebration will be held at a church in Grand Rapids on Thursday, November 14th, and will be open to residents of all ages. This free turkey meal is open to the public, so all who would like to participate should go to their local churches on that date and request more information about their annual turkey dinner.

The Kent County Toys For Tots is one of the most well-known organizations for free Christmas and Thanksgiving assistance in Kent County. They are an international organization, so many locations serve as Christmas Angel Tree outlets throughout the region.

Locations are in Grand Rapids, but other cities also have locations where needy families can receive assistance. The United Way also provides information on some of its other programs, including senior nutrition services and job skills training.

United Church Outreach Ministry Christmas Holiday Assistance in Kent and Ottawa County

This non-profit was founded by a group of volunteers in the community and has been assisting families in need for the past seven years. United Church Outreach Ministry offer several different services, including daycare and preschool assistance, social services, food resources, clothing closets, thrift stores, and financial assistance programs, such as rent and utility bill payments.

Clothing closets with free Christmas outfits are available to children and families in need, and toys can be distributed. Families in Kent County with low incomes can receive Christmas toys, clothing, and other items at this event. The direct assistance provided is a free clothing closet and a thrift store that charges reduced prices.

The location is in Rockford in Ottawa County. The charity can provide more information about the programs and services offered. Clothing is also offered at no cost through the charity’s clothing closet. Numerous churches may offer further assistance, from financial aid to Christmas gifts to meals over the holidays.

The churches will usually have multiple programs and services annually, so it’s always best to call or stop by a church office to get more information about what might be available.

Address: 1311 Chicago Drive SW, Wyoming, MI 49509. 

Contact: (616) 241-4006

Holland Rescue Mission – Men’s Ministries Centre

The Christmas Baskets Program is one of the services available at the Holland Rescue Mission Men’s Ministries Centre since 1993. This is an annual service during the holiday season where they provide free baskets of Christmas food to families with difficulty. This program aims to build self-esteem and responsibility in children by giving them a well-balanced meal they can share with their family members at home.

Also Read : Central Southern Michigan Free Holiday Assistance

There is a Christmas store that has reasonable prices. The general public can purchase the items (such as toys, furniture, and so on) at prices that have been reduced. They serve the upper Grand River Valley, although some locations also assist Kent County families. The Christmas Baskets Program runs from early November through mid-January as well.

Address: 661 E 24th St Ste 650, Holland, MI 49423. 

Contact: (616) 396-2200

Coopersville Cares

The Coopersville Cares organization offers several free Christmas programs and assistance in Kent County. Their Holiday Basket program contains up to a dozen different types of food and other items for children and pregnant women. Christmas toys are also included as part of the package, along with Christmas clothing for children and gifts for men, women, and teens.

There is also a charity that helps families in need pay utility bills. The organization provides services to over 2,000 clients annually. The charitable organization offers Thanksgiving baskets, meals, gift cards, and presents for the holiday of Christmas.

Only the greater Coopersville School District is included in their coverage. Several churches in the region offer Christmas assistance. However, it is best to contact each church to find out the types of gifts, toys, and food baskets provided.

Address: 180 North 68th Avenue, Coopersville, MI 49404. 

Contact: (616) 997-8602

Jehovah Jireh Ministries of West Michigan

The Holiday Baskets Program is a program that is available in Kent County throughout the year. In early December, they serve over 800 families with complete holiday baskets. The meals are meant to tide the family over until Christmas and help them get through the holidays.

Each basket contains enough food to feed a family of 4-6 people, but clients must provide their tableware and utensils. People who are having trouble making ends meet are encouraged to visit the pantry provided by Jehovah Jireh Ministries of West Michigan to receive free food and clothing.

They may have holiday ingredients in stock. Wednesdays between 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. are the typical distribution days for their food. They need to mention on the website that you can call them at 616-209-7688 to schedule a time to pick up food if you find yourself in a situation where you do not have time to wait until the next regularly scheduled distribution day.

A few churches in Kent County have multiple services for the community. For example, there may be a food pantry and Angel Tree programs that distribute free Christmas toys to needy kids.

If you are struggling to put together a holiday meal or get gifts for your child, contacting your local church is one of the many ways to get assistance. Other non-profit organizations also provide free toys and gifts as part of their Christmas assistance programs.

Project Hope Kent and Ottawa County

Project Hope operates a food bank in Grand Rapids. The organization provides food and shelter for thousands of people each year. They offer an annual Thanksgiving program where they deliver boxes of Thanksgiving leftovers to needy families, which they can share with their family members during the holiday season.

For many years, Project Hope has also run a Christmas outreach program that provides toys, clothing, and other items to needy children. It is one of the largest charities in Kent County that helps children.

Food and household items are provided to families in need by Project Hope. During the winter holidays, Project Hope distributes free holiday dinner boxes to those in need. These boxes contain all the components required to prepare a traditional holiday meal.

The Project Hope food bank serves the following counties: Ottawa, Ionia, Allegan, Kent, Barry, and Calhoun. They also have a mobile food pantry that visits the homeless in Grand Rapids. An annual Christmas distribution is held in December around Thanksgiving time.

They partner with local churches and community-based organizations to provide families with food and clothing items. There are holiday meals that are served throughout the region during this time.

Love Inc – Hudsonville

Love Inc is a non-profit in Kent County, and they offer food and help with utility bills, clothing, and hot meals. They also have a Mobile Food Pantry program that visits local churches and neighborhoods to provide food to needy families.

In addition, they partner with organizations that offer financial assistance to pay rent or heating bills. In addition to that, they run a discount holiday and Christmas store. There are free necessities, free small toys for birthdays or Christmas, free hygiene products, and other free items.

The food bank has separate pantries for different types of families. A Family Pantry provides food and meals to single parents, elderly adults, and families with children up to 18 years old. They also have a Self Sufficiency Food Pantry that serves households with income levels below 50% of the poverty level. At this food pantry, the needs of single adults are also met.

Address: 3300 Van Buren Street, Hudsonville, Michigan, 49426. 

Contact: (616) 662-3300

Ottawa Food

The Ottawa Food Pantry is located in the north end of Ottawa County. St. Vincent DePaul, a Catholic organization, supports the food bank.

Rent, heating bills, and utilities are some expenses that the Ottawa Food Pantry covers. The mission of Ottawa Food is to assist low-income families residing in Ottawa County who are struggling to put food on the table.

They offer a wealth of resources and details on various food programs, such as the Double Up Food Bucks program, which can be found at local farmer’s markets and allows participants to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables while having their purchases matched dollar for dollar by the program. The funds that are collected from these transactions go towards the Ottawa Food Pantry to be used to purchase food.

The organization also works with local churches, schools, and other non-profit agencies to deliver food containers throughout the region. There is a free clothing closet and free socks, underwear, and work shoes for distribution at the pantry.

In addition, they distribute free Thanksgiving boxes for families in need through Hope Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids every year. Most of the programs are available in Kent County.

The holiday season is a great time to collect donations for new toys and clothing to be given to needy children. There are two different times the organization collects annual donations. One is during the Spring and Summer months, while the other is in November and December.

SECOM Resource Centre Holiday Assistance in Kent and Ottawa County

The organization offers free food, household goods, and clothing to people struggling in Kent County. SECOM Resource Centre also have programs that assist with utilities and prescriptions, housing, transportation, and other necessities. Many donated items are available so people who need an item can make an appointment.

The program is open from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. You can earn gift cards for Christmas if you volunteer. Call (616) 452-7684. Donors can receive gifts for their children, such as books, games, clothes, and toys, in time for Christmas.

Several shelters and housing assistance programs can help people who need shelter or a place to stay. The organizations will assist with housing costs and help individuals who are at risk of becoming homeless. Learn about Grand Rapids Transitional Housing.

If individuals or families are struggling with rent, utilities, or mortgages, they may qualify for help from one of the non-profit agencies that offer financial assistance.

Address: 1545 Buchanan Avenue SW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49507.

FATE Fun Again Toys for Everyone

The non-profit organization offers toys, games, books, and other items to families at Christmas. Hours are limited. The Christmas toy store is a huge store that has a great selection of toys for all ages, including younger and older children. The gifts are free, or there is just a small charge to help pay for the program.

The Grand Rapids charity typically assists a couple hundred low-income families, unemployed individuals, and others. They give away free toys to children, including books, bicycles, arts and crafts supplies, and other playthings. FATE Fun Again Toys for Everyone also distributes clothes and food to the homeless. They also provide medical care, prescriptions, and other health necessities to people in need.

The organization is located in Grand Rapids, serving Kent and Ottawa counties. Their mission is to help families in need by providing food and clothing items and limited financial assistance. Some programs provide financial assistance for heating bills, rent or mortgage payments, or utilities.

FATE Fun Again Toys for Everyone’s main goal is to help families in need during the holiday season and each month of the year. This includes Energy bills, rent or mortgage payments, and utilities. In addition to food and clothing, they distribute toys, books, and more. They also distribute gifts throughout December that can include toys, blankets, and other items from local retailers, as well as from a donation box located by the YMCA in downtown Grand Rapids. Don’t forget to check out FREE Christmas Gifts & Food in Genesee County, MI!

Other Way Ministries

They operate a soup kitchen and an emergency food pantry in Grand Rapids. The services provided are free of charge to the clients. The organization has been providing food and essentials to thousands each year at its food pantry.

Other Way Ministries have been operating a food bank in Grand Rapids for many years. The Food Bank operates a supermarket and distribution center serving thousands of low-income families annually. People can work or volunteer to earn gift cards or vouchers, which can be redeemed for free toys through the organization’s program.

Call (616) 454-4011. People who are struggling financially can participate in a program similar to pay-it-forward. In exchange for their contributions, their families will receive free Christmas presents, including toys, food, and other items. The organization distributes free holiday presents and food to children and family members. They have several programs that help individuals, such as the Angel Tree program.

People who need assistance can contact a representative who will be able to help them locate and apply for any available financial aid program. Other resources include clothing, household goods, groceries, medical bills, medicines & holiday meals.

Address: 710 West Fulton Street, Grand Rapids, MI, 49504.

Word Of Faith Christian Centre

They offer free food, clothing, and other items for those in need. It can help with receiving clothing and furniture or grants to help pay rent or bills. They also provide social services. Learn more on Lighthouse Mission programs.

Several shelters operate across the region. The homeless can go there to get a hot meal or take advantage of job training or other services available at the sites. Word Of Faith Christian Centre provide a free food pantry for the community. As well as assistance throughout the year, there is the possibility of receiving free food for holiday meals such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter.

Word Of Faith Christian Centre also assists those in need. The assistance is for the basics, such as food and clothing, but other services are available to the needy. Word Of Faith Christian Centre staff can provide housing, day-care, job training, and more information.

Word Of Faith Christian Centre’s main mission is to help people, whether they are homeless or in need. Word of Faith Christian Centre offers a food pantry, clothing closet, and other assistance. The income-based charity helps people with the basics, such as food and clothing, during the holidays.

You can also get assistance to pay bills, apply for benefits, and more. Word Of Faith Christian Centre also provides information about its programs for those in need, including job training, housing, shelter, and other services that help those at risk of homelessness.

Address: 3030 Eastern Avenue SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508. 

Contact: (616) 827-0060

Catholic Charities of Kent County and west MI

Catholic Charities is a Christian-based non-profit organization that assists Kent County residents. Included among the services they provide are free food, clothes, and other items to the general public.

The organization also has a soup kitchen serving hundreds of Kent County residents yearly. Catholic Charities provides several programs, including emergency services, counseling, rental assistance, and more. In addition to the above organizations, several locations provide additional social services to the needy. These locations include:

Several churches and non-profit organizations provide Goodwill stores and other resources for those in need. The stores typically have a few clothing items, some household items, and toys. Assistance during the holidays is available for individuals and families with low incomes, single mothers, immigrants, and others in need.

Free Christmas presents, gifts, games, clothes, winter jackets, and more are all being given out this year. Other resources are available, such as free food baskets, meals at Christmas or Thanksgiving, and more. Catholic Charities of Kent County and west MI focus on providing enough food and ways to prevent hunger or malnutrition, including good nutrition education and other services.

Address: 40 Jefferson Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. 

Contact: (616) 456-1443

Baxter Community Centre

People can call them to learn about the food pantry and other programs such as energy bill payment assistance, weatherization, and much more. There are a few different non-profit organizations that provide holiday aid. Baxter Community Centre include Salvation Army, Catholic Social Services, and other centers. Read more on emergency Christmas grants.

There are a few clothing closets in the region that have gently used garments for children and adults that people can take for free or at a cost.

Primarily clothing, families with low incomes or working poor status may also receive other free items during the holiday season. Shoes, winter jacks, small stocking stuffers, and other items can be used year-round or during the holidays. These clothing closets are located in Grand Rapids, Kent, and around the state. Find a list of some clothing closets.

As well as clothing closets, several other centers offer free clothing and free items such as used toys and bicycle helmets to children.

Address: 935 Baxter Street SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49506. 

Contact: (616) 456-8593

North Kent Community Services

They have several programs for those who need food and clothing to help them get through the holiday season. The organization has three locations; one in Kent County, one in Ottawa County, and another in Traverse City.

The main goal is to help people struggling with housing and utility bills by providing free food and household goods to people at risk of homelessness. Also, North Kent Community Services distributes free food or groceries to families during the holiday season so they can cook a decent meal on Christmas Eve. During Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas holidays, people may be offered social services, free food or grocery shopping, small gifts, and other goods (year-round).

Address: 10075 Northland Drive NE, Rockford, MI 49341. 

Contact: (616) 866-3478

Frequently Asked Questions 

Conclusion

Besides the above organizations, many other organizations provide Free holiday assistance in Kent and Ottawa County outreach and support services to those who need them. Several non-profits offer holiday assistance, such as clothes closets and pantries of goods. There are also other ways to get assistance, such as food banks and food kitchens. Find out more on emergency Christmas grants.

Many organizations provide holiday assistance and other social services during the year. The holiday meals are done based on need and eligibility. Also, it is important to know that many of these agencies run on donations.  Some may be able to receive donations, and others may not be able to receive donations for outreach or food pantries, so it is always best to call ahead or check with the agency directly if you need any resources.

The non-profit assists and supports those in need from various social services and programs. Individuals can receive help with bills, food, groceries, and other basic needs at the site. The Salvation Army also operates thrift stores for residents across the metro region. These stores sell household items, clothes, furniture, and other goods at a low cost.