Many charitable agencies provide financial help for Christmas. Many organizations work all year to help disadvantaged families each Winter. Without this help, there would be many hungry and disappointed people.  Christmas is a wonderful time of the year, but it also magnifies the sorrow for poverty.
Low-income families struggle to keep a roof over their heads, food on the table, and clothing for their children. Many cannot afford to celebrate the holidays with big dinners or gifts. Let’s face it; Christmas is for kids, and it is heartbreaking to look into a child’s face and tell them they will not have Christmas this year.
Thank goodness for the charitable agencies working hard all year round, especially during the holidays. Organizations like the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, and Goodwill Industries, as well as churches in your community, are ready and willing to support you. I will tell you who they are and how to get help. The following suggested agencies can help you find a little extra money and help when needed.
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Salvation Army Offers Financial Help for Christmas
William and Catherine Booth founded the Salvation in 1865. His non-traditional approach to ministry led him to leave the Church of England and pursue an evangelical approach by reaching people where they were.  This insight carries on today, and Salvation is located in over 120 countries and has been helping the poor for almost 150 years.
They help people from every stratum of society. Their goal is to demonstrate the love of God by helping those who need a hand. The Salvation Army has a reputation for helping the poor and giving people the tools to improve their lives through:
- Work Incentives
- Job training
- Counseling
- Elderly assistance
- Religious services
- Drug rehabilitation
- Christmas charity
Catholic Charities Help with Christmas
Catholic Charities has been working to strengthen families and help the poor. Their advocacy programs have been working to help improve the lives of families worldwide. They also network with other agencies to enhance their ability to support the poor.
They offer financial help for Christmas by distributing gifts, cold-weather clothing, blankets, and household goods to needy families. They provide financial assistance to help with bills and have a food pantry. Help is provided according to the funds available.
The services provided by Catholic Charities are:
- Human resources
- Social services
- Pre-K-8 training
- Residential program for homeless
- Job Training
- Counseling
- Housing grants
- Adoption services
Churches that Help with Bills
Most of the large organizations work with the government to aid low-income families, with help paying delinquent bills such as rent, mortgage, and electricity. If you are facing the disconnection of your electricity, water, or eviction, they have been given the authority to distribute government funds to the community.
If you are having problems in any of the above-mentioned situations, you may be able to get free financial help from Catholic Charities, Word of Faith, Baptist, or Episcopal churches in your community for help. Many of these ministries also have Christmas programs and toy drives as well.
Food Banks
Food banks are located in every community as a support to families who are unemployed, disabled, low-income, and elderly. Many food banks only allow you to get help once each month to ensure they can help more people.  You may have to go to more than one food bank for help. If you need help with food for Christmas, contact the United Way or your local Department of Social Services to get a list of agencies offering help.
You may also be able to sign up to receive a Christmas basket which usually includes a turkey or, at least, a chicken with all the fix-ins to cook a holiday dinner. To qualify for the best food banks, you must be screened by a church, social services, or the charity referring you. You must meet the poverty guidelines, be unemployed, or have proof of unemployment.
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