About Us

Who We Are

Each year hundreds of community volunteers work together to ensure that all northern Anoka County residents will have food on their tables for the holidays and their children will have gifts under their Christmas tree.  We started in 1981 and now each year we provide brighter holidays for over 900 Anoka County households with more than 2,000 children.  (…. read more)

How We Help

Food, new toys, new books and money donations are collected through drives at many area schools, drop sites at area businesses, and through generous financial contributions from local businesses and individuals.  The Toys for Joy drive collects donations within Anoka County.  The local members of the St. Paul Area Associaton of Realtors buy hundreds of toys.  The Toys for Tots, organized by the Marine Corps, provides the rest of the toys we distribute.  (… read more)

Process This Year

  1. We will be distributing at the Anoka Armory in 2023: 408 E Main Street, Anoka, MN   Click on the address link to find the location on the map.
  2. On Distribution days, when approaching the Anoka Armory look for signs and/or volunteers at intersections providing additional information.
  3. In December prior to distribution, each family will be mailed a card with their appointment time slot.  Come into the Anoka Armory at your appointed time to receive food & select toys for your family.
  4. Distribution method in 2023 will have our clients coming into the Armory to receive food and to shop (select) toys for their children.  
  5. Fill out the application form carefully, including a “wish list” of gifts, value up to $35 for each child.  As volunteers search for toys they will try to find wished for gifts.  Please NO requests for video games or gift cards.  
  6. Food distributed will be limited in quantity – turkey or chicken, potatoes, apples, carrots, bread and some select non-perishables.
  7. For more food go to your local food shelf. Information on those is found on our page: “Apply for Help”
  8. We are only accepting On-Line applications found on our “Apply Online” page.

Map of Anoka Armory location:  CLICK HERE

Our Partners

Our Committee and the clients we serve owe a million thanks to the many volunteers, local service organizations and several corporations and merchants who support this effort. This is an organization that operates 100% on volunteer work. (... read more)

You Can Help: We Need Volunteers Dec. 13, 14, 15 for setup;  Dec. 18, 19, for Distribution; Dec. 20, 2023 for cleanup.

Christmas Committee welcomes donations of food, new toys, new books and cash.  At least as valuable is volunteer time from individuals or groups.  Please contact us if you wish to help. (…  read more)

Apply For Help On-Line: Food & Toy Distribution on  Dec. 18 & 19, 2023. 

If you find you are in need of our help this year, please follow our application guidelines.  Application forms will become available only on-line October 1st at Apply Online. We are only accepting On-Line applications completed and sent to us by November 21st.  ( read more)