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.

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.

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 - Community Reach of Montgomery CountyOdeth Berlin - Community Reach of Montgomery County

Odeth Berlin

Director, Rockville Emergency Assistance Program (REAP)

Contact Courtney regarding donations of food, gift cards, or toys.

Courtney Proctor - Community Reach of Montgomery CountyCourtney Proctor - Community Reach of Montgomery County

Courtney Proctor

Director of Development

Message us

REAP staff will discuss your individual needs and provide other assistance and support.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
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Testimonials

Supporting the work of Community Reach of Montgomery County feels like neighbors helping neighbors...

Rev. Jennifer Knutsen

Pastor, Rockville United Church

I love giving to Reach because I know my donation is well managed and supports critical services and direct aid for people in the community who need it most.

Katie B.

Changemakers Circle Member

For 14 years, we have supported Reach and are extremely pleased to witness the difference Reach's services make in our Montgomery County community. We have definitely seen improvement and happiness in the lives of those who Reach serves.

Koo & Patricia Yuen

Reach Supporters

I am very appreciative of the services REAP provides to families like myself who need a little help when they are in crisis and need a place to turn to as a safe haven.

Anonymous

REAP Client

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 clinic staff called me over and over again to get tested for colon cancer. I followed their recommendations and thanks to all the staff, the doctor and the manager, I was saved from advanced cancer. They discovered my cancer early and thanks to them I no longer have cancer.

Maria F.

MKHC Patient

WANT TO GET INVOLVED?

Here are ways to help

Community Reach of Montgomery County

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.

Community Reach of Montgomery County

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.

Community Reach of Montgomery County

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.

Community Reach of Montgomery County

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.