The Christmas Kindness Project

Client & Recipient FAQ

Can I still sign up for support this Christmas?

The client list for the Christmas Kindness Program is closed. The best resource for alternative programs in the area is the Lutheran Social Service Network of Hope. Call 211 or visit the LSS Website and click “Seasonal Services”.

2026 Christmas Program: We do not have a waiting list and are not accepting applications for next year’s program.

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.

My family was chosen for the program, who should I talk to?

If your family was chosen for the program and you cannot get in touch with the volunteer that called you for any reason, please send an email to hearttoheart@fcchurch.com. You may reach out to get volunteer contact info, update your information including your children’s wish lists, or to ask questions. We will direct your email as appropriate.

Where can I still get help for Christmas?

Click below for printable lists of alternative programs.

Instructions

1. Donors will need to visit one of the First Community locations to retrieve gift wish list information. We are not staffed to provide this information electronically or over the phone.
2. Beginning November 23, the displays will have tags that list a gift desired by a child of one of the food pantry client’s children. There is one tag per gift, multiple tags for each child.
3. Donors should purchase the gifts, new and as close to the description as possible. Please purchase only the gift listed. If you wish to donate several gifts, you should take several tags from the display.
4. Return the purchased gifts to the donation bins at either location on or before December 14.

Donated Gifts should be dropped off as follows:

• with the FCC gift tag attached
• with a gift receipt attached
• unwrapped

Please visit either church location to view the available gifts and for a printed summary including donor guidelines.

Donor FAQ

How do I select a gift to donate?

Select an ornament tag hanging from the Christmas trees in the areas outside worship spaces at either church location beginning November 23. The tag lists a gift desired by a child of one of the food pantry client’s children. Each tag represents one (1) gift, and there are four (4) tags for each child.

Donors should purchase new gifts closely fitting the description provided. Please purchase only the gift listed. If you wish to donate several gifts, please take several tags from the display. We are not staffed to provide this information electronically or over the phone, so visit one of the First Community locations to retrieve gift wish list information.

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. To track gifts for organization, each child is assigned an ID.

What does this mean on my ornament tag?

It’s not gibberish on that ornament tag! It is code we’ll use to track and sort gifts while allowing confidentiality for our clients. A detailed example is provided below:

What should I do if I can’t find the exact item listed? What if the description isn’t specific enough?

If you cannot find the exact gift listed, try something similar. Using the example above- maybe you can find a green RC car or one that’s blue but doesn’t light up- both of those are great alternatives. You may also look at the additional information on the back of the ornament tag under the child’s age, grade, etc. for notes about their interests or favorite things. Using that information, you can decide on a gift that suits them. This child would probably love an orange zebra stuffy. Please request gift receipts for the gifts purchased to include with your donation.

Our devoted volunteers included as much description as possible using the information from the clients they interviewed. The office does not have further information on the children’s wish lists. You can be confident in choosing a gift for the kids as you would any other child in your life!

Some of our client families provided volunteers with access to their online wish lists, namely those on Amazon. If you’re not sure where to look for the item, or exactly what it is, visit Amazon.com to search for the gift listed. Then you can order it right there online or visit a store to purchase it in person. For all online purchases, pay special attention to the estimated delivery date, so you can avoid purchasing gifts that will arrive late or too close to the due date. We know you’ll use your best judgement to find something great!

Who do I talk to if I have questions about my ornament tag or if I lost it?

All details received from the families is listed on the ornament tag. The office does not have additional information.

What to do if you have lost your ornament tag:

• Already purchased the gift? Please attach a note with the information you remember/know instead of the ornament tag. Volunteers will use that information, plus the process of elimination, to decipher the intended recipient. We will not be able to look up the information over the phone.
• No gift yet? Please send an email to hearttoheart@fcchurch.com with the details you remember. We will do our best to identify the missing tag. Please be assured that we will make sure each child receives 4 gifts.

What do I do with the gift after I buy it?

Please visit either church location, during open hours, to return the purchased gifts in the donation bins located outside worship spaces.

FC North M-F 9am-5pm and during Sunday services
FC South M-F 9am-4pm and during Sunday services

Donated Gifts should be dropped off as follows:

• with the ornament gift tag attached
• with a gift receipt attached
• unwrapped

Gifts must be returned by December 14. Donations received after this date will cause disruption in the process of sorting and preparation by volunteers in the days leading up to client delivery/pick up. Please make every attempt to donate your items on time. We cannot guarantee staff or volunteers will be available to accept late donations. No client information will be provided to donors for direct delivery.

Consider the delivery time and date if you choose to purchase a gift online. Do not choose to purchase a gift that will arrive very close to the due date. Give yourself adequate time to receive the gift and bring it to the church to avoid disrupting the volunteer process.

A lot of work happens over several days between us receiving the donations and getting them to the clients. We appreciate your cooperation with this strict deadline.

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 wish lists, 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 Sign Up Genius linked above.

Can I make a monetary donation to the Christmas Kindness Project?

We do not accept financial contributions designated for use only by the Christmas Kindness Project, as we are not staffed for the work involved. Any monetary donations received are much appreciated and will be used for the food pantry’s general operating costs. Please do not donate gift cards to the Christmas Kindness Project. Should you wish to make a financial donation only, we suggest finding or forming a small group to pool resources and designate one or more parties to shop for the group.

If the guidelines and instructions do not fit your needs, please consider donating to an alternative program outside the church.

Volunteer Links

Important Dates

Nov 13 Client Wish Lists Due

Nov 23 Christmas Kindness Project displays at each campus

Nov 24– Dec 14 Donations accepted at each location

Dec 18 – 21 Client receipt of gifts

• Thu Dec 18 5pm – 7pm   Client Gift Pickup
• Fri Dec 19 11am – 1pm Client Gift Pickup
• Deliveries by appointment