Mecklenburg County Free Christmas Assistance Programs.  Mecklenburg charities help the community every year with toy drives If you need help and live in Mecklenburg County, Charlotte, NC, we will tell you where to go and how to apply.  As a resident of Mecklenburg, you can get free toys for your children as well as holiday assistance with bills. Christmas is a hard time of year for many families who have been laid off work, have had their hours cut, or are out of work altogether.
Shopping can be painful as you see people’s wagons filled with toys or groceries, knowing you can not possibly afford to buy what you want for your family.  Be encouraged and try not to overstress yourself for a one day Holiday.
Remember the holiday is about love and your family and try to focus on this, even if you can’t have a turkey and all the fixings. There are programs that can help you with, a Christmas basket, toys, and clothes for your children that can make Christmas a little brighter. Â Charlotte Food Pantries.
Mecklenburg County Christmas Assistance Programs
Salvation Army
You can help a child or family through the Salvation Army Angel Tree Program. They provide Christmas assistance and toys not only for children but gifts for teens and seniors in need. This program is made possible because of donations from individuals community organizations and corporations.
The Salvation Army is holding five weeks of registration for the Christmas assistance program. Registration is open to all of those who are in need.   Each year there is a five-week period to register for Christmas assistance. Parents and guardians can register for clothing, toys, and other gifts. Please bring with you
- Valid Photo ID (Driver’s License, Passport, Matricula Consular ID)
- Social Security card
- Proof of current address
- Recent Utility bill
- Current Lease
- Present year tax return
- Food Stamp letter
Please come prepared to wait in line for several hours
The Salvation Army Christmas Bureau
The main address is 801 E. Arrowood Blvd.
(Corner of South Blvd & Arrowood, former Walmart)
Call (704) 714-4708 –Â Angel Tree Registration
Starting: Monday, October 6th through Saturday, November 8th,  10 AM – 5 PM
Operation Homefront
This non-profit helps military families during times of hardship. They provide home repairs, auto repairs transportation, moving assistance transitional housing, and vision care.
How to apply for assistance
The Salvation Army Christmas Center is located at 801 E Arrowood Rd. Charlotte, NC Phone number: (980) 224-9905
Lion’s Club International
The Lion’s Club is famous for its work in the community by helping at-risk youth, vision, and health programs, and disaster relief. They also help with Christmas gifts every year. Contact Lion’s Club in October to ask for help. All assistance is given based on available funds and the help of volunteers. Customer service: 1 (630) 571-5466.
Toys For Tots
The US Marines sponsors, Toys for Tots, collects, and distributes toys each year to disadvantaged families. This program provides Mecklenburg County Christmas Assistance every year. If you want to donate, there are drop-off locations all over the city.  Toys for Tots Charlotte.  If you would like to sign up to receive a toy contact the Department of Social Services, Catholic Charities, or call 211 to find out where to sign up.
Make-A-Wish
Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of severely and chronically ill children each year.  If you have a sick child that has a special wish during this holiday season please contact this organization to refer a child.
Who can make a referral – Doctors, parents, family members, teachers those who know the child and their medical challenges can refer a child for a wish.   Make a wish N.C.
Who can make a wish – Any child between the ages of 2 1/2 and18 years old with a severe or life-threatening medical illness or qualifies for a wish.  Referral Form.
Operation Christmas Child
This program is associated with Samaritan’s Purse in Boone, NC. Their famous outreach to children gives a Christmas Shoe Box to kids throughout the world and the U.S. Shoe boxes are decorated and filled with toys, clothes, school supplies for children. If you would like to support this outreach or desire to see one in your community contact Samaritan’s Purse. (more)Â
The Cathedral of Saint Patrick
The Cathedral of Saint Patrick is a faith-based outreach to the community if you need help during the holiday season.  They help provide shelter to the homeless, Christmas dinner, facilitate Angel Tree (free toys for kids), adoptions services, and more.  1621 Dilworth Rd. E.
Charlotte, NC 28203, Main phone – (704) 334-2283.
Free Christmas Tree Charities
Charlotte Christmas Assistance with Food
Organizations like Catholic Charities, the Salvation Army, Loaves and Fishes, Second Harvest, are just a few of the locations that provide food, to the community. These churches and non-profit organizations help families and individuals in difficult times, many Charlotte residents get help from these food charities to feed their families.  The food banks are run by volunteers and staff. Fresh and canned foods are donated by individuals, churches, businesses, and community food drives.
Items when available also include meat, toiletries like shampoo, soap, toilet paper, deodorant.  Fresh and canned foods are donated by individuals, churches, businesses, and community food drives. Items when available also include meat, toiletries like shampoo, soap, toilet paper, deodorant.  Some pantries may even have pet food.
Salvation Army
Food baskets
Holiday Dinner
Loves and Fishes
648B Griffith Rd, Charlotte, NC 28217
704-523-4333
Second Harvest
500 B Spratt St.
Charlotte, NC 28206
704.376.1785
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