As the winter season approaches, you may be considering helping make the holidays a little brighter for families in Lane County who might be struggling. For inspiration, we have put together a list of programs to help families in need this holiday season. (This is not intended to be a comprehensive listing so you may want to check other sources as well.)
Download PDF: Ways to Give During the Holiday Season in Lane County 2024
Programs serving greater Lane County
ARC of Lane County Toy and Turkey Drive
The Arc is organizing a Toy & Turkey Drive to assist families this holiday season.
How: Drop off unwrapped toys for children or gift cards for teens in the collection bins at one of the drop off locations. Frozen turkeys may be dropped off at our main office in Springfield.
Where: Main office 4181 E St., Springfield. Toy Drop Off Locations
When: Now – Dec 13th (gifts received later will be welcomed).
Looking Glass Giving Tree Program
How: Choose an ornament (or two!) from the tree. Use the information on the card to buy a gift. Return the gift (unwrapped) with the ornament to the same Giving Tree location. A Looking Glass employee will pick it up, wrap it, and deliver it!
If you would like to help but cannot make it to one of our physical Giving Trees, consider purchasing an item from our Amazon wish list.
Where: Valley River Center, Oakway Center, Oregon Contemporary Theatre, Coldwell Banker on Shadow View Drive
When: Our goal is to receive gifts by Dec 13th (gifts received later will be welcomed).
Connected Lane County Youth Giving Tree Program
How: Choose an ornament from one of our Giving Trees for youth in the Navigate program, purchase the item listed, and bring it to one of our Spark locations below OR save yourself a few steps, donate online, and we’ll take care of the shopping!
Where: Spark on 7th, Spark at Booth-Kelly, Oakshire Brewing, Public House, and SELCO Community Credit Union branches in Eugene and Springfield
When: Our goal is to receive gifts by Dec 13th. (Gifts received later will be welcomed.)
Valley River Center Giving Tree – sponsored by: Active 20-30 Club of Eugene
How: Grab an ornament or two or whatever you feel comfortable shopping for. Go shopping for what is listed on the tag. Return the items along with the tag to the large red bin that is located between the Giving Trees!
Where: Near JC Penney in Valley River Center
When: Now – Dec 12th
How: Drop off a new, unwrapped toy at any of the drop-off locations, sign up to volunteer, or donate online.
Where: Any BiMart, Fire Station, Les Schwab and other sites.
When: Now through December 13th
St. Vincent de Paul Season of Joy Program – for senior affordable housing residents
How: Season of Joy is an opportunity for community members to get into the spirit of giving by offering a monetary donation toward the purchase of essential items and gift cards for an often-overlooked population around the holiday season.
St. Vincent de Paul Holiday Food Drive
How: Drop off canned cranberry sauce, green beans, pumpkin, broth, vegetables, stuffing and other non-perishable seasonal favorites, as well as reusable bags to use for food distribution in any donation barrel at St. Vinnies Eugene-Springfield retail locations. Monetary contributions can be made with SVdP cashiers.
Where: Any Eugene-Springfield St. Vinnies store
How: Donate cash, blankets, sleeping bags, razors, new or lightly used clothing (socks, underwear and warm jackets). Especially needed right now – jackets, socks, hoodies, and boots
Where: Drop off donations: 1542 West First Avenue, Eugene.
When: Now through Christmas and beyond
How: There are so many ways to help Food for Lane County brighten the holidays for individuals and families. Read more here. To donate funds, click here
Where: Food drop off locations
When: Through the holidays and beyond
Windermere Annual Coat and Blanket Drive
How: Donate new or gently used adult size coats, blankets, gloves, knit caps, or other warm winter necessities. Donations are distributed by Whiteaker Community Dinners.
Where: 1600 Oak Street, 541-484-2022
When: Monday – Friday, 8:30 am to 4:40 pm through December 20th
Programs serving specific areas
COTTAGE GROVE
Cottage Grove Community Sharing Holiday Food Box
How: Donate your non-expired, non-perishable food items at Community Sharing. Also needed are blankets, sleeping bags, warm socks, toilet paper and toiletries.
Where: Drop off location – 1440 Birch Ave, 541-942-2176
When: M 1:30 – 6, T-F 11-3:30 through December 17th and beyond
Cottage Grove Tree of Joy
How: Select a gift tag, shop for the gifts listed, and then return the unwrapped gift. Volunteers are also needed for wrapping and distribution. For more information or to volunteer contact: 541-942-2176.
Where: WalMart, BiMart
When: Nov 8th through Dec. 15th
CRESWELL
Creswell Tree of Joy
How: Select a gift tag, shop for the gifts listed, and then return the unwrapped gift. $30 limit.
Where: Creswell Library, Banner Bank
When: Tags will be put on the tree around Thanksgiving and gifts should be returned by mid-December.
ELMIRA/VENETA
Veneta/Elmira Holiday Food Box & SANTA Project
Where: Drop off: Veneta and Elmira Post Office, Fire Station, BiMart, Ray’s and other business.
When: Now through December 10th
How: Donate non-expired food items and new, unwrapped toys in the barrels at the drop off sites.
For more information call: 541-285-3100
Silver Tree – providing gifts for home-bound seniors
How: Choose a gift tag from the Silver Tree at Banner Bank, shop for gifts, and return gifts by 12/18.
Where: Banner Bank in Veneta
When: Tags will go up around Thanksgiving and gifts should be returned by mid-December.
FLORENCE
Fred Meyer Food Drive
How: Place non-perishible food items in the collection bins.
Where: Florence Fred Meyer
When: TBD
Soroptimist Christmas Food Basket and Toy Drive
How: If community members are interested in contributing to the Christmas Food Basket Program fund, we encourage donations to be sent to Soroptimist of Florence (SI Florence) at PO Box 1209, Florence, OR 97439. Please note on the donation check that it is for the Christmas Basket Project. Monetary contributions may be tax deductible.
For more information: soroptimist.florence@gmail.com.
JUNCTION CITY
Junction City Local Aid
How: Bring non-perishable foods and gently used clean clothing and linens to the pantry. Current wish list: pasta noodles, refried beans, boxed meats, condiments, fruit, canned corn.
Where: 210 E 6th Avenue, Junction City
When: Now until the holidays and beyond
How: Stop by the Lodge any day after 4pm to volunteer or donate a new unwrapped toy, gift cards, or money for toys. Store-bought cookies and candy also appreciated.
Where: 427 Front St., Junction City
When: Now until December 14th
MCKENZIE RIVER
McKenzie Fire Toy Drive and Holiday Lights Kick-off
How: Join us for an afternoon of holiday fun and bring your new unwrapped toy for the toy drive. We’re collecting swag for the kids’ sacks, funds to purchase lights, refreshments, and other party costs. Your financial support is appreciated.
Mail checks to: McKenzie Community Partnership, PO Box 406, Walterville, OR 97489.
Where: Vida McKenzie Community Center
When: December 1st, 3-5pm
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