Description: Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets are provided to families of 3 or more, single individuals, and couples.

Christmas Store: If there are children in the household, 12 years or younger, they can call or walk-in now to register to shop for two toys per child in CC’s Christmas store on December 18. Registration is open until all slots are full.

Hours: 2015 Distribution of Holiday Food Baskets:

• Thanksgiving: Can call or walk-in to register. Only families of 5 or more can still register, as all other spots are full.
• Christmas: During normal pantry hours, Mon, Wed, Fri, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm, starting Nov. 30 and ending Dec 16.
• Regular food pantry service is offered with extra food for the holidays. Baskets are offered first come, first served each day.

Eligibility: Sangamon County families of 3 or more. Singles and couples can be served as well, but there is less available.

Documents Needed: Photo ID for all family members over the age of 18, with their current address on ID. If address has changed, current lease or mail with new address is required. If children are included, must have medical card or school documentation.

Referral Procedures: Clients already in the system need to be verified by phone. If not in the system, clients will have to sign up in person.

Description: Thanksgiving basket pre-registration begins October 19. Families must have a child in the home to qualify.

Annual Christmas Give Away program offering toys, food, hats/gloves, and hygiene items for 2015:

• Pre-registration for those with children begins Nov. 2 – families must call for an appointment (217-753-3939, x10).
• MUST pre-register this year (different from previous years).
• Singles or couples with no children are also welcome (just no toys given).
• Must have photo ID for anyone over 18 and medical card or birth certificate for all children.
• Give-Away will take place in December.
• Donations of non-perishable food items, new hats, gloves, coats are needed. To donate or volunteer, call Stacey Droll at 217-753-3939, x12.

Hours: Contact Ministries regular hours: M-F, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm.

Additional Information: Adopt-A-Family program also available in 2015:

If an individual, family, group, business or church is looking to do something very special at Christmas, Contact Ministries is looking for people to adopt one (or more) current shelter residents and/or previous residents who have successfully graduated the program within the last year and provide them with Christmas. Suggested donations include new toys, clothes, shoes, or other desired (reasonable) gifts for mothers and their children. For more information, contact Tiffany Williams, Shelter Director, at 217-753-3939 x19.

Referral Procedures: By phone.

Salvation Army

Description: Applications for 2015 Holiday Assistance are being taken M-F, Oct. 5-9, 2015, from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm; and Sat, Oct 10, from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. More information will be provided as it becomes available.

Documents needed: MUST bring driver’s license or state ID, Social Security cards, proof of residency, Medical/insurance cards for children.

Referral Procedure: Walk-in.

State Journal Register
Friend-in-Deed

788-1300 or 747-1290