HOLIDAY GIVING PROJECT
Meals and Toys for the Holidays
Since 2008, Reach has participated in the Holiday Giving Project of Montgomery County (HGP), an initiative run by the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services that provides assistance to families in low-income households for Thanksgiving and the December holidays. As an HGP Coalition member, Reach collects and distributes meal baskets, toys, and giftcards to referred families in the zip codes we serve.
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Get Help
Families in need of assistance must be referred to the county-run database, where they are assigned based on zip codes to partner organizations that distribute food and other items to residents in their designated zip codes.
There are no income requirements for participation in the Holiday Giving Project, but to be referred, your family must be residents of Montgomery County, MD. A referral is not a guarantee that your family will be served, as all assistance depends on the availability of donations.
Visit the Montgomery County Holiday Giving Project website for more information.
OPTION 1
For residents who are not Reach clients
Montgomery County residents can get referrals for assistance from school counselors, non-profit social service agencies, government social service agencies, or the Department of Health and Human Services.
If you need a referral and none of the above options are available to you, contact 311 for a referral from the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services.
OPTION 2
For residents who are Reach clients
If you are currently a client in one of Reach's areas of service - MKHC, LOP, Senior Reach, Housing, or REAP - please contact the staff member for that service area and request to be referred for the Holiday Giving Project.
Need assistance?
For any questions regarding the Holiday Giving Project and how to be referred, contact us.
Resources
To learn more about other types of assistance available for Montgomery County residents, including healthcare, workforce development, food, and clothing, visit our Resources Page.
Contact Us
Questions? Contact our staff or send a message using the form below.
Contact Odeth regarding referrals for the project, information on when to pick up food/toys, or other questions on how to get help.
Odeth Berlin
Director, Rockville Emergency Assistance Program (REAP)
Contact Courtney regarding donations of food, gift cards, or toys.
Message us
REAP staff will discuss your individual needs and provide other assistance and support.
Testimonials
I am thankful that there are programs like this, offering people like me the opportunities to open new doors to reach our goals.
Claudia R.
LOP Student
The emergency device service, home care help, and of course the water heater [replacement] have helped me so much and improved my quality of life greatly!
Sandra G.
Senior Reach Client
If you're given a second chance, don't waste it. And that's what [Reach] did for me; it gave me my second chance.
Vicki R.
Former Housing Resident
Volunteering with Reach lets me use another part of my brain as well as my heart. It's communal caring at its best.
Ellen R.
Volunteer
I have hope that I am going to make it by working with the team at Jefferson House who care.
Ervine R.
Housing Resident
The Mansfield Kaseman Health Clinic is an example of what is possible when we commit to doing what is right, taking care of people. We gain a stronger community in the process.
Leslie Graham
Former CEO, Primary Care Coalition
WANT TO GET INVOLVED?
Here are ways to help
Method 1
Volunteer your time
HGP Assistants collect and organize donations, contact clients to share and gather information, help with distribution, and perform other tasks as assigned. Distribution dates are usually the Sunday before Thanksgiving and the Thursday and Saturday before Christmas. Bilingual (Spanish/English) speakers are encouraged to apply.
For all opportunities and to learn how to begin, please sign up to volunteer.
Method 2
Donate funds
Community Reach of Montgomery County is a certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, EIN 52-0910334. All donations are deemed tax-deductible absent any limitations on deductibility applicable to a particular taxpayer. No goods or services are provided in exchange for your contribution.
We are grateful for any level of support.
Method 3
Donate goods
Support Reach's participation in the Holiday Giving Project by donating food baskets, grocery gift cards, toys for children, and gift cards for teens.
Download our list of recommended donations for specifics on what items are accepted.
Contact our office to arrange for drop-off or to discuss pickup of large donations.
Method 4
Join the HGP Coalition
Although there are numerous HGP Coalition members like Reach, there are still not enough to adequately serve all Montgomery County residents who are referred to the HGP. Each year, thousands of families are left without the assistance they need to fully enjoy the holidays with each other. Will you help close the gap?
For-profits and nonprofits are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information, please contact us.
Community Reach of Montgomery County
Mansfield Kaseman Health Clinic
Our Services
Mansfield Kaseman Health Clinic (MKHC)