** All CAP4Kids material is for general information purposes. While we endorse careful review of the information on our site, we cannot recommend or endorse any particular organization. We are updating this list in real time, however availability may change quickly. Please contact agencies directly to access services. Information in each section is listed by date, then alphabetically.**
Sullivant Gardens Community Center – Winter Dinner
Friday, Dec. 20, 5-7PM
755 Renick Street, Columbus, OH 43223
(614) 645-8171
Enjoy a free dinner, cookie decoration, and toy giveaway. Call for details.
cap4kids.org/columbus/files/2024/12/Sullivant-Gardens-Winter-Dinner-2025.pdf
Driving Park Community Center – Hot Meal Giveaway
Friday, Dec. 20, 5-7PM
1100 Rhoads Avenue, Columbus, OH 43206
(614) 724-4702
Enjoy a free hot meal on a first come, first served basis. Contact the center for additional details.
columbusrecparks.com/calendar/driving-park-hot-meal-giveaway
Feddersen Community Center – Holiday Meal
Friday, Dec. 20, 5-7PM
3911 Dresden Street, Columbus, OH 43224
(614) 645-3083
Enjoy a free holiday meal on a first come, first served basis. Contact the center for additional details.
columbusrecparks.com/calendar/feddersen-holiday-meals
Holton Community Center – Holiday Meal
Friday, Dec. 20, 5:30-7PM
303 North Eureka Avenue, Columbus, OH 43204
(614) 645-3208
Enjoy a free holiday meal on a first come, first served basis. Contact the center for additional details.
columbusrecparks.com/calendar/holton-holiday-meals
Brentnell Community Center – Community Dinner
Friday, Dec. 20, 6-8PM
1280 Brentnell Avenue, Columbus, OH 43219
(614) 645-7640
Enjoy a free community dinner on a first come, first served basis. Contact the center for additional details.
columbusrecparks.com/calendar/community-dinner
Lazelle Woods Community Center – Breakfast with Santa
Saturday, Dec. 21, 9-10:30AM
8140 Sancus Boulevard, Columbus, OH 43081
(614) 645-5330
Enjoy breakfast, holiday crafts and activities, and a free gift from Santa. Registration is $5. Contact the center to register and for additional details.
columbusrecparks.com/calendar/breakfast-with-santa-5
St. Stephen’s – Christmas Cares Food Box
Registration is Open NOW thru Saturday, Dec. 14
Franklin County families can visit the website to register for a Christmas Food Box or attend in person. Families must arrive and pick up their boxes during their assigned time. Visit the links below for registration details.
Flyer: facebook.com/photo/?fbid=973480974816887&set=pcb.973476428150675
Website: saintstephensch.org/christmas-cares
YMCA Central Ohio – Food & Produce Giveaways
Free, fresh produce are distributed on a first come, first served basis for income-eligible Franklin County residents at the locations listed below. Eligibility waiver and photo ID are required.
ymcacolumbus.org/food-produce-giveaway
Netcare – Harm Reduction Pop-Up
Friday, Dec. 20, 1-4PM
199 South Central Avenue, Columbus, OH 43223
Stop by the Netcare parking lot for free Narcan, fentanyl test strips, clothing, snacks, hygiene supplies, and other items for those in need.
franklinton.org/?event-item=harm-reduction-pop-up
Gahanna Residents In Need (GRIN) – Winter Coat Distribution
Saturday Dec. 21 11AM-1PM
161 Granville Street, Gahanna, OH 43230
(614) 214-4747
Residents in the 43230 zip code or Gahanna-Jefferson school district area can attend during the times listed above to receive free winter coats on a first come, first served basis. ID is required.
Event flyer: facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1031013625736389&set=pb.100064832826910.-2207520000
More information on GRIN: cap4kids.org/columbus/grin-gahanna-residents-in-need
Toys for Tots – Toy Giveaway
Saturday, Dec. 21, 1-4PM
North Columbus Preparatory Academy: 1965 Gladstone Avenue, Columbus, OH 43211
Toys will be provided for kids ages 14 years old and younger.
mcusercontent.com/30613ae7ca0d57eb558719248/files/9ba69efa-39b2-93f0-c3aa-35957fe839cf/Toy_GIveaway_Linden.pdf
A Step in the Right Direction – Holiday Hygiene Giveaway
Sunday, Dec. 29, 3-4PM
Glenwood Methodist Church: 2833 Valleyview Drive, Columbus, OH 43204
Hygiene bags with cleaning items, shampoo, and toothpaste will be given first come, first served. This event is open to the community, no restrictions.
eventbrite.com/e/srds-holiday-hygiene-giveaway-tickets-1108512002239
Bloom Free Store
7343 Worthington-Galena Road, Columbus, OH 43085
2578 Sullivant Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43204
Provides free clothing, shoes, accessories and toys for families with children ages 0-3 in Columbus, Ohio. Families must register with the organization by completing the online form before shopping.
bloomfreestore.org
Common Ground Free Store
193 East Central Avenue, Delaware, OH 43015
(740) 369-3733
A free store with no income requirements, located in Delaware, Ohio.
commongroundfreestore.org
More Free Stores, Clothing, Hygiene Items, & Homegoods
Columbus Food Rescue – Food Drive & Toy Collection
NOW thru Friday, Dec. 20
633 Parsons Avenue, Columbus, OH 43206
Seeking shelf-stable kitchen staples for their food pantries this season– see the flyer for a list of most needed items. They are also collecting unwrapped new and gently used toys for families who are not eligible for other toy drives. All items can be dropped off in person.
Food Drive Flyer: facebook.com/photo?fbid=881736487473079&set=a.557960269850704
More information on Local Matters/Columbus Food Rescue: local-matters.org/columbus-food-rescue
Franklin County Children’s Services – Holiday Wish
NOW thru Friday, Dec. 20
855 West Mound Street, Columbus, OH 43223
Choose between donating new toys from a child’s wish-list, shopping the Amazon Gift List, or financially sponsoring a child this year. Visit the website for in-person donation hours.
fccs.us/holiday-wish
HALT Violence – Coat Drive
Tuesday, Dec. 24
2360 West Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43204 or 923 East Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43205
Drop off new or gently used coats to help someone stay warm this winter. Coats can be dropped off at either HALT Violence location:
Event flyer: cap4kids.org/columbus/files/2024/11/HALT-coat-drive.png
More information on HALT Violence: cap4kids.org/columbus/halt-violence
Community Refugee & Immigration Services (CRIS) – Coat Drive
Accepting donations in-person Monday through Friday, 8:30AM-4:30PM
4645 Executive Drive, Columbus, OH 43220
Help give a newly arrived refugee a warm welcome by donating a winter coat. Email akavuna@cris-ohio.org with questions.
cap4kids.org/columbus/cris
Mozaic – Threads Revisited Free Community Closet
Accepting donations Tuesdays & Thursdays 1-6PM, Wednesdays & Fridays 11AM-4PM
750 East Long Street, Columbus, OH 43203
(614) 572-0820
Help provide free, gender-affirming clothing for BIPOC gender expansive communities in Ohio. They are currently especially in need of coats, jackets, sweaters, and plus-sized clothing options.
cap4kids.org/columbus/mozaic
Nationwide Children’s Hospital – Holiday Wish List Toy Drop
646 Parsons Avenue, Columbus, OH 43215
Help patients and families have a happy holiday by shopping the Amazon Wish-Lists. Toys purchased through Amazon will be delivered directly to the hospital, or toy donations may be shipped to the address listed above.
nationwidechildrens.org/giving/ways-to-give/fundraising-events/events-calendar/2024/12/holiday-toy-drop
One Warm Coat – Find Coat Drives Near You
(877) 663-9276
Use the searchable map to find coat drives accepting donations near you! The website also has resources for those looking to organize a coat drive.
onewarmcoat.org/share-warmth/donate-coats
Brown Girls Mentoring
Visit the website and make a financial donation to help support this important, in-school mentoring program for Black and Brown girls.
Donation link: givebutter.com/oukXOO
More information on Brown Girls Mentoring: cap4kids.org/columbus/brown-girls-mentoring
Columbus Recreation & Parks – Adopt A Center
Shop the Amazon Wishlist or give a financial donation to help provide food and toys for families at Columbus Community Centers this year.
crpfoundation.org/adoptacenter
Community Refugee & Immigration Services (CRIS)
Shop their wish-lists, donate household items, or make a financial donation to support our refugee and immigrant neighbors here in Central Ohio.
crisohio.org/donation-items
Furniture Bank of Ohio – Adopt A Family
Consider giving to this charitable organization to help families impacted by life crises gain stability and hope through free essential furniture. You can give a financial donation to Adopt A Family, or donate furniture.
Adopt A Family information: furniturebankcoh.org/adopt-a-family/?segmentCode=HO1024EM4
More information on Furniture Bank of Ohio: cap4kids.org/columbus/furniture-bank
Golden Hobby Gift Shop
Shop handmade goods made by Columbus-area seniors and volunteers.
columbusrecparks.com/facilities/goldenhobbygiftshop
Huckleberry House – Multiple Opportunities
Support this important youth shelter by shopping their Gift Bag Amazon Wishlist, or visit the website to make a financial donation.
Crisis & Outreach Gift Bag Amazon Wishlist: amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/26DWP4MT5MNV8/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex
More information on Huckleberry House: cap4kids.org/columbus/huckhouse
Kaleidoscope Youth Center
Consider supporting this one-of-a-kind organization for LGBTQ+ youth in Ohio. They affirm and support all youth through their free drop-in community center, behavioral health services, scholarships, advocacy work, and more. Shop their wish-list and drop off donations, shop the Amazon Wishlist, or make a financial contribution.
kycohio.org/donate.html
Moms2B Seeking Donations
Donation Information: cap4kids.org/columbus/files/2024/11/Donate-to-Moms2B-This-Holiday-Season-1-2.pdf
More information on Moms2B: cap4kids.org/columbus/moms2b
MY Project USA
This is an important community organization supporting the Hilltop neighborhood of Columbus with a food pantry, anti-violence and after school programming, free clinics, and more. They are currently asking for emergency donations after cuts in funding.
Donate here: myprojectusa.org/donors
ABC 6 Emergency Funding Article: abc6onyourside.com/amp/news/local/hilltops-my-project-usa-faces-cash-crisis-community-programs-threatened-hilltop-west-side-charity-food-pantry-funding
More information on MY Project USA: cap4kids.org/columbus/my-project-usa
National Federation of the Blind – Invest in Dignity
Consider supporting this important organization supporting blind people. Financial donations given between now and Dec. 31 will be matched to double your gift.
Donation information: nfb.org/get-involved/ways-give/matching-gift-opportunity
More information on NFB: cap4kids.org/columbus/national-federation-of-the-blind
NC4K – Adopt A Family
This organization supports families battling pediatric cancer. Support their work by signing up to adopt a family and shop their wish-list. You can also volunteer at one of their holiday events, host a gift drive, or make a monetary donation. Visit the website to sign up.
nc4k.org/holiday
More information on NC4K: cap4kids.org/columbus/nellies-champions-for-kids-nc4k
Neighborhood Bridges
This platform helps match families in need to those able to help. Visit the website and browse through the “Open Needs” in suburbs across Ohio. If you can help, simply fill out the form on the website to get started.
cap4kids.org/columbus/neighborhood-bridges
Rides 4 Refugees
This organization supports the Central Ohio refugee community through vehicle ownership and transportation resources. Consider donating your vehicle or making a financial donation this holiday season.
rides4refugees.us
Victory Ministries Center of Hope
3964 East Main Street, Whitehall, OH 43213
(614) 252-2500
Shop and drop off new toys, shop the Amazon Wish List, donate food items, or make a monetary donation.
Donation information: victorycoh.org/_files/ugd/8878f9_1077e2c4c2d84357aae35a38b97caf41.pdf
More information on Center of Hope: cap4kids.org/columbus/center-of-hope
Columbus Dream Center
38 West Greenwood Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43201
(614) 547-3138
Seeking volunteers to serve meals and deliver meal baskets for Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Visit the website to sign up or to give a monetary donation.
cap4kids.org/columbus/columbus-dream-center
Community Development 4 All People
Multiple opportunities for groups or individuals to serve at their Free Store, Fresh Market, Bikes 4 All People, and more.
Volunteer Contact Information: 4allpeople.org/volunteer
Group Volunteer Registration Form: 4allpeople.app.neoncrm.com/forms/group-form
More Information on CD4AP: cap4kids.org/columbus/community-development-for-all-people-cd4ap
FACCES Fresh Market – Bimonthly Volunteering
Volunteer to help serve food and hygiene items to community members while dancing along to the FACCES playlist!
2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month, Multiple PM shifts
2505 Lockbourne Road Columbus, OH 43207
eventbrite.com/e/volunteer-at-the-facces-fresh-market-tickets-630317254877
Local Matters
Multiple opportunities including; meal prep, writing thank you notes, hosting holiday tours, and more.
Volunteer Sign-Up: local-matters.org/stay-involved/volunteer
More About Local Matters: cap4kids.org/columbus/localmatters
MY Project USA – Meal Serving or Donations
NOW thru March
Hilltop Youth Empowerment Center: 3275 Sullivant Avenue, Columbus, OH 43204
(614) 905-0977
Sign up to serve meals for warming center guests, donate food, or give a financial donation.
Click Here to Sign Up
More information on MY Project USA: cap4kids.org/columbus/my-project-usa
Seeds of Caring – Multiple Opportunities for Kids & Families
Get the kids involved in your holiday giving through one of the many opportunities available with Seeds of Caring. Some opportunities are in-person, and others you can do from the comfort of your own home.
Upcoming opportunities: eventbrite.com/o/seeds-of-caring-9804905236
More information on Seeds of Caring: cap4kids.org/columbus/seeds-of-caring
St. Stephen’s – Christmas Cares
Sign up online to volunteer. Volunteers must be ages 12+. Those who can’t volunteer can donate online for the Virtual Food Drive.
saintstephensch.org/christmas-cares
Victory Ministries Center of Hope – Serving Opportunities
Happening NOW thru Wednesday, Dec. 18
3964 East Main Street, Whitehall, OH 43213
(614) 252-2500
Multiple dates/opportunities to volunteer for individuals or groups ages 12+. Sign up to help pack or distribute holiday food boxes. Those who can’t volunteer can also donate food items or toys.
victorycoh.org/christmas
Click the links below for helpful resource lists and tools:
Check out the CAP4Kids Family Activities & Resources Page for a list of free or low-cost events for families– including visits with Santa, holiday light displays, resources for parents, and more!
cap4kids.org/columbus/family-activities-and-resources
Click the links below for articles and tools to help your kids have a healthy and happy holiday!
