Here is a Holiday Resource Guide shared with us by our Columbus Police liaison:

Download the PDF here

Thanksgiving Resources

Free Thanksgiving Dinners

Columbus Dream Center:

  • Free Thanksgiving
  • Location: Columbus Dream Center 38 W Greenwood
  • November 24th from 11 m. to 12: 30 p.m.
  • No reservations
  • For more information, please click here The City of Columbus Recreation and Parks:
  • Friendsgiving
  • November 17th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 m.
  • Location: Franklin Park Adventure Center 1755 E Broad Columbus, OH 43203
  • For more information please contact (614) 645-5648 or visit the link here Clintonville Community Resource Center:
  • Please contact if you need assistance throughout the holiday season (Youth, Family & Senior Services)
  • Contact (614)-268-3539
  • 14 Lakeview Ave. Columbus, OH 43202

Thanksgiving Meal Giveaway:

  • November 22nd from 3 m. to 6 p.m.
  • Location: Dodge Community Center 667 Sullivant Ave Columbus, OH 43215
  • Please contact the agency for additional information, guidelines, and (614) 724-8151 and keep up to date here

Thanksgiving Food Boxes

NSI Food Pantry:

  • Thanksgiving Food Sign-ups: October 3rd– November 11th.
  • Thanksgiving Food Pick-up: Saturday, November 19th from 10 m. to 3 p.m.
  • Must RSVP to pick up Thanksgiving
  • You need to bring your photo ID and proof of
  • Open to residents of the following zip codes: 43201, 43202, 43210, 43211, 43220,

43221, 43224.

Thanksgiving Assistance:

  • Assistance is available for residents in the Gahanna Jefferson School District and residents in the 43230-zip code.
  • When: Saturday, November 19th, 2022, from 10 m. to 12:30 p.m.
  • Location: Peace Lutheran 455 Clark St. Rd.
  • Drive-thru style
  • Registration required- deadline is Saturday, November 12, 2022
  • Registration form can be found here
  • Please bring your Photo ID which has your current If that address is outdated, bring a piece of mail showing your current address.
  • If someone outside of your household is picking up for you, bring a signed note from that person stating you are picking up for them.
  • For more information, please visit here Turkey Giveaway:
  • November 18th from 5 p.m. to 7 m.
  • Location: Dodge Community Center 667 Sullivant Ave Columbus, OH 43215
  • Please contact the agency for additional information, guidelines, and (614) 724-8151 and stay up to date here

Central Community House:

  • TENTATIVE
  • Central Community House Food Basket Giveaway
  • Tuesday, November 22, 2022, from 9 m. to 5 p.m.
  • Please contact the front desk for more information at 614-252-3157, or email at info@cchouse.org

Additional Thanksgiving Resources

For additional Thanksgiving Dinners and Meal Drives, check out Columbus News Stations. Stations will cover opportunities for families during this time the closer we get to Thanksgiving.

Other Places to Keep in Mind

  • Churches
  • Food Pantries: For a list of food pantries please click here or here
  • Recreation Centers: For a list of Rec Centers in Columbus, please click here

In the past, the following places have hosted either Thanksgiving Dinners or Meal Baskets. Information for Thanksgiving 2022 has not been released yet. If interested in any of the following, please check out their website or contact the agency to see if they will offer any services.

  • Columbus Salvation Army: For their website and contact information, please click here
  • The PEER Center: For their website and contact information, please click here
  • Community Kitchen: For their website and contact information, please click here
  • Broad Street Presbyterian Church: For their website and contact information, please click here

Toy Drives

Heart to Heart a first community mission Holiday Help:

Please Contact Heart to Heart if you are interested in having your family sponsored. Please send an email (kfrohrer@gmail.com) Indicating the general makeup of your family, including primary contact name and phone number/email address. If a phone number, list the best days and times to get ahold of you. Family size (number of adults, number of children). Ages and genders of the children. Any other information that will be helpful in making a match. If possible, include your children’s wish lists, needs, and clothing sizes if applicable. Heart to Heat will accept requests from October 20th through December 9th. After that date, all inquiries will be referred to other programs by their team of resource volunteers.

For more information, please click here Stowe Mission of Central Ohio

Toys of Hope Christmas Giveaway:

  • Registration will be live November 14th,
  • Serves children 0-12 years old from the 43206 and 43207 zip
  • Date: 12/10/2022 from 9 m. to 1 p.m.
  • For more information, please click here or contact info@stowemission.org or (614) 445-8400.

The Salvation Army Christmas Cheer Toy & Food Program

Franklin County Families:

Please visit the link provided to check out the application process for Christmas Toys and a hearty Christmas food box. The form provides all dates and times. Reminder to bring picture identification for Head of Household and proof of Dependents with Birth Dates for all Household Members. No appointment necessary. Just come to the location near you. For more information please call (614) 221-6561 x600

Franklin County 2022 Registration Information Delaware County Families:

Please visit the link provided to check out the application process for making Christmas special. The form provides all dates and times. Families must provide proof of all household income, proof of all utility bills & identification (Social Security Card and Birth Certificate) for all household members. For more information please call (740) 993-0144

Delaware County 2022 Registration Information Good Tidings Christmas Store 2022:

Every year Festa and Cornerstone Christian Fellowship partner with the community to provide an affordable shopping experience for families with a limited income. The Good Tidings Christmas Store allows families to purchase a variety of new items at very affordable prices in a respect-filled manner. This year, they will be taking all shopper reservations online. Morning and afternoon appointments will be available during store hours Monday, December 5th through Friday, December 9th. Please note that families living within the Hillard City School District and qualifying for free or reduced lunch programs will be given registration priority.

For more information, please click here nsi Food Pantry Christmas Toy Sign-ups:

  • To register, you must bring your address and child’s birthdate verification documents with you.
  • Available to children ages 0-12 years
  • Sign-ups: October 3rd through November 11th.
  • Christmas Toy Pickup: December 12th through December 16th.
  • Open to residents of the following zip codes: 43201, 43202, 43210, 43211, 43220, 43221, 43224.

ALP Foundation Holiday Gift Card Giveaway:

  • Holiday gift cards are on a first come first serve basis and you must apply on their website at ALPFOUNDATION.INFO
  • Anyone can apply
  • Applications will open November 1
  • Once your application has been received someone will call you for pick-up details (location and time).
  • Call (614) 632-2579 for any details or questions or visit the link here Clintonville Community Resource Center:
  • Please contact if you need assistance throughout the holiday season (Youth, Family & Senior Services)
  • Contact (614)-268-3539
  • 14 Lakeview Ave. Columbus, OH 43202 Toy Giveaway:
  • December 14th from 5:30 m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • Location: Dodge Community Center 667 Sullivant Ave Columbus, OH 43215
  • Please contact the agency for additional information, guidelines, and (614) 724-8151 and stay up to date here

Firefighters 4 kids

  • Information for Firefighters 4 Kids 2022 has not been released If interested, please continue to check their website for updated information.
  • To locate their website please click here
  • Contact information: (614) 633-5259

Holiday Meals & Baskets

Holiday Meal Giveaway:

  • December 22nd from 3 p.m. to 6 m.
  • Location: Dodge Community Center 667 Sullivant Ave Columbus, OH 43215
  • Please contact the agency for additional information, guidelines, and (614) 724-8151 and stay up to date here

Central Community House:

  • TENTATIVE
  • Central Community House Food Basket Giveaway
  • Wednesday, December 21, 2022, from 9 m. to 5 p.m.
  • Please contact the front desk for more information at 614-252-3157 or email at info@cchouse.org

Free Holiday Activities

Huntington Holiday Train at Main Library

  • The Huntington Holiday Train has delighted people of all ages since 1992. This downtown holiday treasure was generously loaned to Columbus Metropolitan Library by Huntington in 2009 and is displayed in Main Library’s Grand Atrium.
  • Bring your entire family to see the display with its trains, tracks, waterfall, tunnels, bridges, mini homes, and castle. On display during regular library hours Nov. 22 through Jan. 8, 2022.
  • Free one-hour parking in Main Library’s attached
  • For hours and additional information, please click here

Ohio Statehouse Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting

  • Time: December 1st from 5:30 m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • Location: Ohio .. The Ohio Statehouse 1 Capitol Square Columbus, OH 43215
  • Historical characters and modern dignitaries will be on hand to greet guests, including Santa himself. Enjoy complimentary cookies, music, activity tables, dance performances, and Get your photo taken with Santa Claus in front of the Ohio Statehouse holiday tree.
  • For more information, please click the link here

Columbus Commons Holiday Lights Festive Fridays

  • A walk in the park under nearly a half-million lights is oh-so festive. Add a whirl on a carousel, music in the air, and a warming cup of hot chocolate and you’ve got Festive Friday’s. Here’s to extra cheer, our free gift to you and yours every Friday in
  • Every Friday in December from 5:30 m. to 9 p.m.
  • For more information, please click here

The Original Christmas Light Finder

  • All Drive around Columbus and enjoy the display of lights in various neighborhoods – for free!
  • To find displays please visit the link here

Santa’s Mailbox

 

  • Children placing a letter in Santa’s special UA mailbox receive a reply from Santa. The mailbox is accepting letters starting November 11 through December To guarantee delivery, include child’s full name, complete address with zip code and unaffixed postage stamp. Only one child’s letter per envelope.
  • The letter mailbox is in the Municipal Services Center near Kenny Road parking lot, 3600 Tremont Road.

Santa’s Mailbox

  • November 23, 2022 – December 15, 2022 (Anytime)
  • Pickerington City Hall
  • 100 Lockville Rd, Pickerington, OH 43147
  • Free
  • A North Pole Express mailbox will be placed in front of City Hall for children to write Santa and his helpers a letter for Christmas. Please include the child’s name and return address so Santa can write back!

Main Street Delaware brings you a holiday to remember!

  • Home for the Holidays weekend will be December 2-4,
  • Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony: Friday, December 2nd at 6 m. at the corner of William and Sandusky Streets. Santa joins us at our tree lighting.
  • Christmas Parade: The Annual Holiday Parade takes place on Sunday, December 4th at 3 p.m.
  • Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides: Taking off from the Strand Theatre each Friday evening in December leading up to Christmas. Only $2 per person over the age of 6.

Holiday Lights Celebration

  • Gahanna’s unforgettable annual Holiday Lights Celebration promises one magical afternoon of free family fun for all ages.
  • When: Sunday, November 20, 2022, from 3 m. to 6:30 p.m.
  • Location: Creekside District
  • This event will feature a holiday stage with live entertainment, tree lighting, a processional, and Santa arriving by firetruck!
  • The light display throughout Creekside Park totals 300,000 lights! Accompanied with music, the light show will begin on Sunday, November 20th and run through January 8th.
  • For more information, please click here

Westerville Tree Lighting Ceremony

  • Location: City Hall courtyard (21 State St.)
  • Time: 7 m. led by Santa
  • For more information, please click here

City of Upper Arlington Tree Lighting Ceremony

  • TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY: December 2nd at 7:30 pm

City of Upper Arlington’s Mayor leads the community in lighting the City’s holiday tree.

  • Venue: Mallway Park 2096 Arlington Ave Upper Arlington, OH 43221

Easton’s Grand Illumination

  • November 18th from 6 p.m. to 9 m.
  • Kick off the holiday season… the Easton way! Festivities will begin at 6 PM around the Center and continue throughout the evening with live music, fun for the family, costumed characters, and more bringing holiday cheer! No matter where you are, take your eyes to the sky at 7 PM and watch as over two-million lights simultaneously illuminate Easton for the season. Do not miss the special holiday trees on Town Square, at the Central Park Fountain, and in The Yard in the New District!
  • For more information, please click the link here

Coats & Clothing Resources

Coats 4 Children

Since ALL children deserve warmth Coats 4 Children acknowledge and serve all diversity representing this program. Simply put, if we have a coat available it is a gift regardless of their faith or skin tone until Coats 4 Children run out of coats to provide.

For more information:

  • Contact the office Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at (614) 599-7325
  • Email them at info@coats4children.org
  • Please click here for additional

Charity Newsies

Clothing applications are available online only. The application portal will close once we have received applications for 15,000 students. In-person applications are no longer available at our headquarters or any of the public libraries as in previous years. The clothing packet consists of one winter coat, knit hat, and gloves, 3 pairs of pants, 3 shirts, 6 pairs of socks and underwear. All clothing will conform with the published uniform and/or dress code policy of each child’s school. For schools that allow a uniform only, a uniform voucher will be provided in lieu of the shirts and pants, as applicable.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Parent/legal guardian and child must be residents of Franklin
  • Children must be actively enrolled in an in-person school in grades k-
  • Application is to be filled out by the parent/legal guardian of the child(ren)
  • One application per child per school
  • One application per family per school
  • All qualifying children are to be on the same
  • We do not clothe home schooled or foster

For more information and to fill out an application (if still opened) please click here

For additional clothing resources feel free to check out the link provided. Clothing | Columbus OH (cap4kids.org)

Additional Resources:

https://lssnetworkofhope.org/ CAP4KIDS Links:

Food: https://cap4kids.org/columbus/food/

Resources by Area: https://cap4kids.org/columbus/resources-by-area/ Housing/Shelters/Utilities: https://cap4kids.org/columbus/housing/

Columbus Urban League:

Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA2) https://www.cul.org/emergency-rental-assistance-era2/