2018 Holiday Assistance for Akron, Ohio Area for Thanksgiving and Christmas

Below is a list of places in Summit County that offer 2018 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 2018

Toys for Tots Holiday Assistance in Akron, Ohio 2018

NEW this year, ALL Toys for Tots locations will be registered at ONE location, however you can pick the toys up at multiple locations listed below.

First Faith Development Corporation
790 Easter Ave #209
Akron, OH 44307

Register for Toys for Tots Monday-Thursday 10:00am – 2:00pm starting on November 29th from 10:00am until 7:00pm. There will be a registration drive on the weekends of November 17th and November 24th from 12:00pm until 4:00pm.

• Applicants will be required to bring the following documentation:
• Parent’s Government Issued Photo ID Card
• Parent’s Social Security Card
• Children’s Social Security Card
• Children’s Birth Certificate

The Cut-Off for Registration is December 14th.

Find your local Toys for Tots Distribution location here. In the Akron, Ohio area, the registration location for EVERYONE is:

Salvation Army Holiday Assistance in Akron, Ohio 2018

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.

Cut off for registration is December 18, 2018.

Must provide the following:

• PHOTO ID: Parent’s Government Issued Photo ID Card or Valid Drivers License, Parent’s Social Security Card, Children’s Social Security Card, AND Children’s Birth Certificate
• 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.

Akron Bible Church Holiday Assistance in Akron, Ohio 2018

Akron Bible Church offers Christmas Baskets of Love with groceries and toys for kids ages 12 and under for those in need, this is a Toys for Tots location – you may only sign up for one Toys for Tots partner.

Sign up 1-day only on Saturday, November 24, 2018 at 9 – 11am.  Get there early, you MUST have a photo ID.

Must provide the following for toys:
Photo ID
Proof of custody of child (Insurance Card, School Records, Medicaid Card, Birth Certificate, or Social Security Card). Names will be checked against other local agencies for toys.

Other services include food baskets, clothing by appointment, ex-offender halfway house, Philemon House, Hope House, and inmate visitation programs.

Revolving Doors Holiday Food, Gifts & Dinner in Akron 2018

Lawton Street Community Center is offering Thanksgiving baskets, Christmas gifts, and dinner. Register on Saturday, November 17th from 11am -1pm, or until the first 100 families register for Thanksgiving basket. This is for families at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level.

For Christmas, they will be adopting families with children ages 15 and younger at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level. You must attend Christmas dinner on Sunday, December 16 5-7pm for eligibility. Register Saturday, November 17, 2018 2-4pm. You’ll be notified December 10th, if adopted.

Must provide the following:

• Photo ID for the parent/guardian.
• Proof of residency.
• Proof of income for all household members.
• Social Security cards for all household members.
• Proof of custody, if applicable.
• Wish list and sizes for the children

Revolving Doors has a Food Pantry and Food Baskets by appointment on Mondays and Wednesdays and utility service payment assistance for ex-offenders.

Lawton Street Community Center
1225 Lawton Street
Akron, OH 44320

Solid Rock Christian Fellowship Baptist Church Holiday Assistance in Summit County – Toys and Food Baskets

Solid Rock Christian Fellowship Baptist Church is a Toys for Tots distribution site. They also provide food baskets for senior citizens, ages 65 and up for Christmas for anyone, any location or income. Call 330-283-0278 to register for your food basket.

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

First Faith Development Church Holiday Assistance in Summit County 2018

The First Faith Development is offering toy assistance through Toys for Tots program for children, this is a Toys for Tots location – you may only sign up for one Toys for Tots partner.

Sign up at 790 Easter Avenue Akron, Ohio to sign up Monday through Friday from 10am – 2pm Monday – Thursday from 10am – 2pm through November 29th – Closed November 22nd. Sign up Saturday, November 10th Noon – 4pm, November 24th Noon – 4pm, and December 1st 10am – 2pm.

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
• Birth Certificates for all children
• 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. They also have a Clothing room with clothes, shoes, and personal goods for ANYONE, free of charge year-round. They also provide a variety of programs including free tutoring K-6, fathering programs, literacy for children,woman empowerment program, and more.

Summit County Children Services Holiday Assistance 2018

Visit the Summit County Children Services Holiday Toy Room November 28 – December 22, 2018 every day except Sundays from 9am – 8pm (confirm time by calling Sandy DeLuca at 330-379-1994.

Summit County Children Services
264 S. Arlington St
Akron, OH 44306

Copley Police Holiday Assistance in Copley, Fairlawn, and Bath, Ohio – Food Baskets, Toys, and Coats

Holiday Assistance for families in need in Copley area with Share a Christmas Program for those residing in the Copley-Fairlawn School District by Copley Police Department, proof of residency may be required.  The Township will be providing toys and gifts for children, Copley-Fairlawn Kiwanis are providing food baskets and Copley Outreach Center is providing coats, hats, and gloves.

Families with children ages 17 and under may receive toys, coats, and food from all 3 programs.

Families with no children under 18 may only apply for services through Copley Outreach Center (330-665-3335).

Download and print the application online. Applications must bring completed application with them to a mandatory interview at to Copley Town Hall, 1540 S. Cleveland-Massillon Road, Copley in the North Room on one of the dates below:

Tuesday, December 4, 2018 from 10-12pm or 5-7pm
Wednesday, December 5, 2018 from 1:30 – 3:30pm
Monday, December 10, 2018 from 10-12pm or 5-7pm.

Must provide the following:

• Proof of address
• Completed application

All students at Copley-Fairlawn Schools who receive a free or reduced lunch will receive an application in the mail Thanksgiving week. For more information, call police station at 330-666-4218, 330-666-1853, or email sac@copley.oh.us.  Other services include in-person crisis intervention, medication disposal, and recycling centers.

Copley Outreach Center Service Holiday Assistance in Copley, Ohio – Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter Food Baskets 2018

Copley Outreach Center Service offers special food baskets for low-income individuals 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 (See Copley Share a Christmas program if you have children). The center prepares and distributes 45 Thanksgiving dinner baskets with a turkey and packs Easter dinner baskets that include a ham. Outreach Center prepares gift and food baskets for township residents in need who do not have children.

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 Center
1502 South Cleveland-Massillon Road
Copley, OH 44321
(330) 665-3335

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.

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.

Holiday Assistance for Terminal/Chronic Ill Children 2018

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.

Thanksgiving Meal in Medina, Ohio Area 2018

Free Turkey Dinner with all the fixings on Sunday, November 18, 2018 4:30-6pm at Medina United Methodist Church. Reservations recommended, call 330-725-4943

Medina United Methodist Church
4747 Foote Road
Medina, OH
330-725-4943

Thanksgiving Meal in Smithville, Ohio Area 2018

Smithville United Methodist Church invites you to their FREE Community Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner on Thanksgiving Day ~ Thursday, November 22nd at 1pm in the church Fellowship Hall. Please RSVP by calling (330)669-2371 by Monday, November 19th.

Smithville United Methodist Church
243 N. Milton St.
Smithville, Ohio 44677

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.

Cindy

Founder and Lead Blogger at Akron Ohio Moms

Cindy is the top Akron Blogger with her own take on awesome brands for families, where to vacation for families, a beat on local activities and family fun, a knack for getting moms to share , and a house that is always 2 weeks away from a complete remodel!