Please refer to our updated 2018 Holiday Assistance Listing here.
Below is a list of places in Summit County that offer 2014 Holiday Assistance for Thanksgiving and Christmas in the form of food baskets, toys, coats, and more. Check your local church as well. If you have an organization that offers assistance, please comment below to add.
Also see Akron Community Resources post for a list of resources in Akron and Summit County for food, health clinic, dental, financial assistance, housing assistance, help with heating bills, tutoring, legal help, foreclosure assistance, and more. Check out our Akron Food Banks post for assistance with food year-round.
This list is revised annually, however it is a good idea to call locations to confirm information before going as I gathered this information from their websites.
Holiday Assistance in Summit County
Akron Bible Church Holiday Assistance in Akron, Ohio
Akron Bible Church offers Christmas love baskets of groceries and toys for kids ages 12 and under for those in need.
Sign up 1-day only on Saturday, December 2, 2014 from 12-4pm. They are taking first 50 applications for toy assistance and first 200 for food baskets for Christmas. Distribution at a later date, by appointment.
Must provide the following for toys:
Photo ID
Proof of custody of child (Medicaid Card, Birth Certificate, or Social Security Card)
Must provide the following for Food Basket:
Photo ID
Must provide the following for Toy Assistance:
Photo ID
Proof of custody
Emergency Food Assistance Program TEFAP form
Other services include clothing by appointment, ex-offender halfway house, Philemon House, Hope House, and inmate visitation programs.
Akron Bible Church783 Brown Street
Akron, OH 44311
330-376-5673
East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation Holiday Assistance in 44301, 44305 or 44306
East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation provides limited Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets for low-income seniors, individuals with disabilities, and families with children during the holiday season.
For Food Basket:
Call (330) 773-6838 Monday – Friday from 11am – 2pm to sign up.
Pick up Monday, December 15th
First come, first served basis for up to 60 baskets. Must live in zip codes 44301, 44305, or 44306.
For Toy Assistance:
They offer assistance to low-income households with kids ages 14 and under with gifts and toys through Toys for Tots program. You may only sign up for one Toys for Tots program at one location per year.
Sign up Monday December 1st through Thursday December 4th 11:00am to 3:00pm at 1046 South Arlington Street Akron, Ohio 44308.
Documents required:
- Photo ID
- Social Security cards for all members of the household
- Proof of income (must be at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level)
- Proof of address (utility bill with your address and name on bill)
Other services include Community Housing Development.
East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation1046 South Arlington Street
Akron, OH 44308
(330) 773-6838
Salvation Army Holiday Assistance in Akron, Ohio
The Salvation Army provides Holiday Assistance for people in need during the holidays. They partner with Toys for Tots to provide gifts and toys for kids ages 14 and under, and offer holiday food baskets for households with or without children.
Sign up November 22 from 9am – 5pm at 2207 Romig Road location.
Must provide the following:
- PHOTO ID: Social Security Card AND Valid Drivers License or State Identification Card
- PROOF OF ALL CURRENT INCOME: Pay stubs for last 30 days, ODJFS printout, child support papers, SSI/SSD letters, Worker’s Comp statement, rent subsidy/utility allowance stubs. Note: A Health Card is not proof of income.
- PROOF OF ALL BILLS: Includes Lease/Mortgage papers, utilities, car payments, insurance payments, child care, any other bills
- PROOF OF ALL CHILDREN IN HOUSEHOLD: Must provide a Social Security card for all children or a printout from Job and Family Services with Social Security numbers listed for all children
- PROOF OF OTHER ADULTS IN HOUSEHOLD: Must provide either a photo ID or a Social Security card
Other services include Red Shield Pantry the 2nd Wednesday of every month 1pm – 3pm, doors open at 11am.
Barberton and Norton only – Barberton Salvation Army at 560 Wooster Rd West All Summit County – Salvation Army at 190 Maple Street in AkronToys for Tots Holiday Assistance in Akron, Ohio
Find your local Toys for Tots location here. In the Akron, Ohio area, the location is:
Akron Location2207 Romig Road
Akron, OH 44320
Phone: 330-996-4255 Contact person is Sgt Jose Polanco at 330-491-3500 ext. 209
First Apostolic Faith Church Holiday Assistance in Summit County
The First Apostolic Faith Church is offering toy assistance through Toys for Tots program for children ages 14 and under.
Sign up at 790 Easter Avenue Akron, Ohio to sign up Monday through Friday from 9am – 3:30pm through December 17, 2014.
You may only sign up for one Toys for Tots program at one location per year.
Documents required:
- Photo ID
- Social Security cards for all members of the household
- Proof of income (must be at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level)
- Proof of address (utility bill with your address and name on bill)
- Proof of all current bills (lease/mortgage papers, utilities, car payments, insurance, child care, other bills)
Other services include food pantry on the 4th Monday of every month.
First Apostolic Church790 Easter Avenue
Akron, OH 44307
(330) 762-9139
Solid Rock Christian Fellowship Baptist Church Holiday Assistance in Summit County – Toys
Solid Rock Christian Fellowship Baptist Church provides holiday assistance for those in need, partnering with Toys or Tots for gifts and toys for kids ages 14 and under in Summit County.
Walk in to sign up at 1197 Copley Road, Akron, OH:
– Thursday November 20th from 1:00pm to 5:00pm.
– Monday November 24th from 10:00am to 1:00pm.
– Tuesday November 25th from 10:00am to 1:00pm.
– Monday December 1st from 10:00am to 1:00pm.
– Tuesday December 2nd from 10:00am to 1:00pm.
– Thursday December 4th from 10:00am to 1:00pm.
Must provide the following:
- Photo ID
- Proof of income
- Proof of bills
- Proof of children in household
- Proof of other adults in household
Other services include food pantry third Monday of the month.
Solid Rock Christian Fellowship Baptist Church
1316 Kentucky Avenue
Akron, OH 44314
330-812-0418
330-283-0278
Youth And Elder Services Holiday Assistance in Akron
Youth and Elder Services help those in need with Christmas food baskets for individuals and families as well as partnering with Toys of Tots for gifts for children 14 and under.
Christmas food baskets are first come, first served, while supplies last. Sign up Wednesdays through Fridays 10am to Noon through Friday, December 5th.
Must provide the following:
- Photo ID
- Social Security Card
- Proof of Residency
Other services include Thanksgiving Meals (11-27-14 from 2-4pm) and Food Pantry the 4th Friday of every month from 11am – 2pm and 3rd Friday in November.
Youth and Elder Services790 South Arlington Ave
Akron, OH 44306
234-678-9199
Copley Police Holiday Assistance in Copley, Fairlawn, and Bath, Ohio – Food Baskets, Toys, and Coats
Holiday Assistance for families in need in Copley, Fairlawn, and Bath residing in the Copley-Fairlawn School District by Copley Police Department. Families will receive food basket, hats, gloves, and coats. Older adults can receive a gift and visit from police officer.
Call police station at 666-4218 to request assistance or stop by the police department lobby. You can also apply online starting November 17, 2014. Applications must be in by December 8, 2014. After application is accepted, there is a brief mandatory interview on December 8, 2014.
Must provide the following:
- Proof of address
Other services include in-person crisis intervention, medication disposal, and recycling centers.
Copley Police Department1280 Sunset Drive
Copley, OH 44321
330-666-4218
Copley Outreach Center Service Holiday Assistance in Copley, Ohio – Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter Food Baskets
Copley Outreach Center Service offers special food baskets for low-income individuals and families in the Copley Fairlawn School District on major holidays including Thanksgiving, Christmas (individual & families), and Easter. Offers special food baskets for low-income individuals and families without children for the Christmas holiday.
Not confirmed for 2014.
Call Tuesday or Friday 10am – 2pm for registration details for Thanksgiving and Christmas Food Baskets.
Must provide proof of address.
They also offer clothing, food pantry on Tuesdays and Fridays, and temporary financial aid.
Copley Outreach Center1502 South Cleveland-Massillon Road
Copley, OH 44321
(330) 665-3335
Holiday Assistance for Terminal/Chronic Ill Children
Helping Hands is offering toys and gift cards to families with a child ages 18 and under with a terminal or chronic, life-changing illness.
You must live in Summit County, assistance is on a case-by-case basis.
Sign up by calling 330-773-7731 Monday through Thursday 10am – 2pm.
Helping Hands1363 Girard Street
Akron, OH 44301
(330) 773-7731
Holiday Assistance for Cleveland, Ohio Area
Click here for Holiday Assistance for Cleveland, Ohio area.
If you have an organization that offers assistance, please comment below to add.
Thank you to the many people who open their hearts to provide for those in need and the amazing organizations that organize it all. May God bless you and your family this Thanksgiving and Christmas.