This program was created to ensure gifts under the tree for children of Heart to Heart food pantry’s clients. When client questionnaires are completed, the children’s wish lists will be divided item-by-item and donors will be allowed to choose items to purchase and donate. Once all donor gifts have been collected, they will be provided to families unwrapped, tagged with the children’s names for identification.
Participating families were identified from current regular clients. We avoided choosing families that have been supported for Christmas by Heart to Heart in the recent past. The families in the program have multiple children over 2 years old.
Important Dates
Nov 1 Client Wish Lists Due
Nov 17 Christmas Kindness Project displays at each campus
Nov 17 – Dec 15 Donations accepted at each location
Dec 16 – 22 Client receipt of gifts
- Dec 19 4 pm – 7 pm Client Gift Pickup
- Dec 20 1 pm – 4 pm Client Gift Pickup
- Dec 21 11 am – 2 pm Client Gift Pickup
For Recipients
Expectations of Recipients
Participating clients acknowledge and accept these statements:
- I understand that if I do not return phone calls or emails in a timely fashion, I may be dropped from the program.
- I understand that I must keep in touch with the volunteer who contacted me, not the Heart to Heart food pantry office. I understand that the Heart to Heart office staff may not be able to immediately answer my questions if I contact them.
- I understand that if I do not show up at the agreed-upon time or location, I may not receive the gifts in time for Christmas.
- I understand that not all gift requests are guaranteed to be filled, but that the program ensures at least 1 gift per child.
- I have read and understand the Wishlist Guidelines.
Client FAQ
Can I still sign up for support this Christmas?
The client list for the Christmas Kindness Program is closed. Click the link below for a list of alternative Christmas support programs. If you need food assistance, you may visit our food pantry or click here for alternative pantry information from Mid-Ohio Food Collective.
How were the enrolled families chosen?
Participating families were identified from current regular clients. We avoided choosing families that have been supported for Christmas by Heart to Heart in the recent past. The families in the program have multiple children over 2 years old.
Alternative Programs
Click below for printable lists of programs. Translations will be updated as they become available.
Alternative Programs (English)
Programas Alternativos (Spanish)
Programmes Alternatifs (French)
Barnaamijyo Kale (Somali)
Baramij Badila (Arabic)
For Donors
Donor Instructions
- Donors will need to visit one of the First Community locations to retrieve gift wish list information. This cannot be given out electronically or over the phone.
- The display will have tags that list a gift desired by a child of one of the food pantry client’s children.
- Donors should purchase the gifts, new and as close to the description as possible.
- Return the purchased gifts to the donation bins unwrapped and with tag from display attached so the gift can be identified.
Please visit either church location to view the available gifts and for a printed summary including donor guidelines.
Donor FAQ
Why can’t I have the children’s names?
We have chosen to keep all names confidential for the privacy and safety of the clients and their children.
Why can’t I wrap the gifts?
We strongly believe that parents should have as much a role in the gift giving process as possible, for both joy and dignity. Think of how you may wrap gifts for your own children that are from Mom & Dad in a different way than you wrap gifts from that other special someone!
Unwrapped gifts allow for:
- easier organization and sorting for volunteers
- parents can preview the gifts their children will receive
- parents can sort and organize gifts for multiple children as appropriate
- parents experience the joy of wrapping gifts
Can I deliver the gifts / communicate directly with the family I am supporting?
Upon being interviewed and providing their children’s wishlists, clients indicate their preference for receiving gifts. Some will come to pick them up at FC South, some will meet volunteers in public, and some have asked gifts be delivered to their homes. While we cannot guarantee you will meet the person receiving your specific gift, you can volunteer to help with client pickup or delivery at the Volunteer SignUp Genius linked above.