(GILBERT) – It’s the most wonderful time of the year, yet for many families, it’s a struggle to deliver the holiday experience with the cost of living on the rise.
OpGov.ai is putting together resources across the East Valley to share ways that families can get the help they need during the holiday season, speaking with 211 Arizona about local resources, including food, shelter, and toys available to families in need. Here are the resources they recommended, as well as a few others.
Photo Credit: 211 Arizona
The most reliable and available resource for toys for families with children is Toys for Tots, which has chapters in both Phoenix and Casa Grande.
Applying for toys is made easy on the website; simply follow this link to apply. While new applications stopped November 15., some circumstances will be accepted and there may be toys available after applications have been filled.
Photo Credit: Toys for Tots
Another great resource for both toys and holiday food is the Salvation Army, which has locations in Mesa, Phoenix, Chandler, Glendale, and Apache Junction among others on the outskirts of the valley. This organization offers holiday assistance to families in need including holiday baskets, Angel Tree Toy Shop (closing soon), and Adopt-a-Family.
The Salvation Army also hosts a free holiday dinner event at the Phoenix Convention Center South Building, where food is served from 10:00am to 1:00pm. Also provided free of charge are holiday photos, hair and nail services, live music, holiday crafts for kids, and more.
Photo Credit: Salvation Army
A free ride service offered by 211 Arizona is available to and from the event and is covered through Lyft. Registration must be completed to be added to the ride list a day in advance, and can be accessed by calling 211 from any phone in Arizona.
The Catholic Charities Care campus hosts an Emergency Santa program that allows parents to shop for gifts for their kids for simply volunteering their time for other charitable events. This program was created to help parents who couldn’t otherwise afford gifts, and is located in Mesa at 466 S. Bellview, Mesa, AZ 85204. The Care Campus can be reached at 480-833-8987 for more information.
Photo Credit: Catholic Charities Care
AZCEND is offering holiday assistance through both food and toys.
The distribution of which is set for Dec. 20th.
It has a location in GIlbert and another in Chandler, and applications for holiday assistance can be made by directly contacting them at the Family Resource Center at (480) 428-5446, or by visiting their website and filling out an application.
Photo Credit: AZCEND
Holiday baskets will be available through Matthew’s Crossing Food Bank in Chandler as long as resources last.
The food bank is offering baskets with ham, turkey, and sides to provide a complete holiday meal for families in need.
The food bank will be closed from the 24th through the 26th, so be sure to plan ahead and coordinate your pickup to accommodate holiday hours. Matthew’s Crossing is located at 1368 N. Arizona Ave Unit 112, Chandler, AZ 85225.
Photo Credit: Matthew’s Crossing Food Bank
Shelter can be harder to come by in the colder months, but CASS has shelters available for single adults, families, and even seniors ages 55 and up.
It has three locations across the valley as indicated in the map above, and there’s no complicated application process. 211 Arizona recommends this shelter above all others, as it’s easy to get to and has overflow available on busy nights.
Photo Credit: CASS
To add to or correct any information provided in this report, please contact me at tracy.t@lead4earth.org. OpGov.ai attained the report cover photo from the city of Gilbert website Holiday Lighting page.
The report cover photo was taken from the City of Gilbert Holiday Lighting Page.
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