We are a non-profit, all volunteer organization working year around towards a project that occurs at Christmas time. 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.
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. Toys are collected in local drives conducted by Toys for Joy. The local members of the St. Paul Area Associaton of Realtors also buy hundreds of toys. Toys for Tots, organized by the Marine Corps, provides the rest of the toys we distribute.
Families and individuals in need, living in northern Anoka County, are eligible for our help and are sought by the Christmas Committee in the fall of the year.
Distribution: December 18th and 19th, 2023.
The sole purpose and activity of this organization is the annual Christmas distribution. Just before Christmas this year it will take place at the ANOKA ARMORY in Anoka, MN.
- We will be distributing at the ANOKA ARMORY location: 408 E Main St, Anoka, MN. Find it on the map.
- Here is a link to an easy to follow map to our distribution site.
- Each family will have a set appointment time slot.
- Look for signs and volunteers at intersections leading you to the Anoka Armory location.
- Fill out the application form carefully, including a detailed “wish list” for each child. We hope to have available a variety of donated toys for you to select appropriate gifts for your family.
- Food distributed will mostly be perishable items – turkey or chicken, potatoes, apples, carrots and bread. We will include a few non-perishable items as well.
- For more food go to your local food shelf. Information on those is found on our page: “Apply for Help”.
- We are only accepting On-Line applications found on our “Apply Online” page.
Funding
Our operating costs are very low because most services and materials are donated or loaned. Plus, all of the work of this project is done by volunteers. Funding for a large part of toys provided by this project comes from auctions and an annual golf tournament sponsored by the St. Paul Area Association of Realtors – Toys for Joy. The majority of our food costs and other expenses come from donations from service groups, businesses and individuals. Christmas Committee welcomes donations of food, toys, children’s books, cash, and time. Perishable foods such as poultry, bread, apples, carrots and potatoes are purchased at reasonable prices from local suppliers.