Thank you for your patience!
Program Description
This program was created to ensure gifts under the tree for children of Heart to Heart food pantry’s clients. The children of 20 families will receive approximately 4 gifts each donated by First Community Church.
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 with multiple children that have not been supported by Heart to Heart or First Community in the past 3 years.
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
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. 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”.
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.
For Donors
Donor Instructions
- 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.
- The display 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.
- 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.
- Return the purchased gifts* to the donation bins at either location.
*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
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.
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. 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.