Skip to content Skip to sidebar Skip to footer

How To Help Columbus Families In Need This Holiday Season

Everyone needs help sometimes.

Life can get stressful for everyone. You never know when you might find yourself in a situation where you might need to ask for help. Families across Columbus have been feeling the heightened stress of making ends meet, especially over the last couple of years.

If you’re in need of an extra helping hand this holiday season, you can find great resources below. If you’re looking to spread a little holiday cheer, you can click those same links to donate money, items, or your time to a great cause.

Let’s take care of each other this holiday season, my friends.

The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army has three different ways you can help families in need this year. If you’d like to support Christmas dinner, you can donate through their Red Box program, which provides a family with all of the fixings for Christmas breakfast, a traditional turkey dinner, and a game to play after dinner. The Angel Tree program encourages companies and organizations to host Angel Tree Toy Drives. These toy drives can be done virtually through Walmart and Amazon. Finally, you can donate money to the traditional Red Kettles. Virtual donation options are available.
More info: The Salvation Army

Volunteers of America

Homeless veterans, families, and individuals need our help this holiday season. Families are struggling more than ever and helping provide basic necessities can mean the difference. Through Volunteers of America, you can purchase specific gifts, like household items, toiletries, clothing, and other presents.
More info: Volunteers of America

Marine Toys for Tots

Marine Toys for Tots collects gifts for thousands of Central Ohio children each year. This year, you can donate toys or money, but all financial donations will be online only. If you’d like to donate physical toys, you can check out their list of drop-off sites around Columbus here.
More info: Marine Toys for Tots

Furniture Bank of Central Ohio

The Furniture Bank of Central Ohio is an organization that helps families acquire furniture for their homes, like couches, beds, and dining room tables. This year they have a goal of having 1,000 families adopted. 796 families have already been adopted, so together, we can definitely help The Furniture Bank meet that goal. Families receive between 5 and 20 pieces of furniture, depending on the size of your donation.
More info: Furniture Bank of Central Ohio

Firefighters 4 Kids

Since 1977, Firefighters 4 Kids has been spreading holiday cheer by providing toys to children in need across Columbus. Founded by firefighter Mike Mullins after witnessing a family in need during a call, the program has grown tremendously over the years. In 2023, it served over 3,200 families and more than 8,300 children. This year, Firefighters 4 Kids will again help kids ages 0-12. You can get involved by dropping off a toy at one of their December 14th toy drives or at a Franklin County Fire Station through Christmas Day.
More info: Firefighters 4 Kids

Franklin County Children’s Services

The Holiday Wish program allows for youth under the care of Franklin County Children Services to request a special toy or gift. Each year, over 6,500 children benefit from this program, some of who may have experienced abuse, neglect, or other difficult home conditions. You can donate a toy, a gift card, or make a monetary donation here.
More info: Franklin County Children’s Services

MORE LIKE THIS: How To Donate To Food Pantries Around Columbus