Gaithersburg Holiday Giving Program Accepts Donations, Volunteers

GAITHERSBURG, MD — This year, the City of Gaithersburg is continuing a 23-year-old tradition that serves families around Thanksgiving and the December holidays. The Holiday Giving Program is run by a number of community groups, churches, nonprofits and individuals who collaborate to make the holidays memorable for local residents in need of assistance.

The City anticipates serving more than 600 families that have been referred by nonprofit organizations and schools at Thanksgiving and more than 1,500 children during the December holidays this year.
Monetary donations allow for the purchase of food for Thanksgiving and gift cards and items for older adults in December. Donations can conveniently be made online. The City is also seeking the donation of new hat, scarf and glove sets and teen gift bags. Volunteers who can help provide administrative support to the program are also needed. Details can be found here.

To ensure non-duplication of service, the program operates in conjunction with the countywide Holiday Giving Project, which is coordinated by the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services. Area schools, social service and nonprofit organizations make referrals to a centralized database, and those living in the City of Gaithersburg are then referred to the City’s Community Services Division for assistance.

The Gaithersburg Holiday Giving Coalition includes members from Grace United Methodist Church, Victory Christian Church International, Soroptomist International of Upper Montgomery County, the Gaithersburg Coalition of Providers, Gaithersburg HELP, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Pathways Church and St. Rose of Lima Church. The residents of Wells/Robertson House and members of the Gaithersburg Youth Club and the Gaithersburg Financial Wellness Coalition are also integral to the program’s success.

For more information or to donate online visit the Holiday Giving web page or contact Community Services.

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