** Information added as it becomes available **

THIS INFORMATION IS FOR THE 2024 HOLIDAY SEASON -- INFORMATION WILL BE ADDED AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE

An annual guide to holiday giving & receiving, for residents of Oakville

- GET HELP -

Emergency Food Sources

For a list of Oakville Food Banks and Meal Programs, visit How to Find - Food Banks & Community Meals, Oakville

OMHS Pet Food Bank

• Provides dog and cat food through 12 food banks and 20 community programs throughout Oakville and Milton
• to find locations, visit omhs.ca/omhs-pet-food-bank
• food shelves at the Oakville Public Library ‘s Central, Clearview, and Glen Abbey branches are open to the public during branch hours

- GIVE HELP -

Halton Women's Place

There are special ways to support to the women and children that need Halton Women’s Place services the most:

Holiday Shelter Wishes Campaign

• your gift will directly impact the women and kids staying in shelter over the holidays
• give your gift by visiting the website

Holiday Hamper Gift Card Program

• contributions support families not just during the holidays, but all year long
• to participate, fill out the form on the website and you will be contacted to confirm your involvement

Home Suite Hope

• annual Hope 4 Holidays campaign, connecting HSH’s single parents and their children with the community through the spirit of giving
• see website for more information, homesuitehope.org/event-details/hope-4-holidays-2024

There are several ways to get involved:

• Sponsor a Family
  • contact Jovelle at JovelleR@homesuitehope.org.
  • view Families’ Wish Lists here: https://www.homesuitehope.org/hope4holidays
• Donate Household & Personal Hygiene Items
• Donate Gift Cards for Gas, Groceries or Walmart

Fare Share Food Bank

Monetary and food donations are appreciated

• visit the website (oakvillefoodbank.com/needed-items) for a list of most needed items
• 1240 Speers Rd, Unit 6, call ahead for hours 
• food donation bins located at local grocery stores
• contact: 905-847-3988

Kerr Street Mission - Christmas Wonders and Beyond

Program rallies the community to ensure families in need are able to celebrate the holiday season, by providing gift cards for each member of the family, and toys & pyjamas for children.

• To donate
  • visit kerrstreet.com/christmaswonders, or contact 905-845-7485
• To volunteer
  • please submit an application through kerrstreet.com/volunteer 

Oak Park Neighbourhood Centre

Donations of food, gift cards (eg. Oakville Place Mall, Walmart, Canadian Tire, etc..), family Christmas food or gift hampers as well as monetary donations are gratefully appreciated

• 2200 Sawgrass Dr
• contact: 905-257-6029, or michelle@opnc.ca

Safetynet Children and Youth Charities

Safetynet relies on community donations to provide free wrap-around services to financially disadvantaged families

• 166 South Service Rd E, 905-845-7233 or info@safetynetservices.ca 
• Mon-Sat, 9:30am-1pm

2024 Holiday Elves & Beyond Gift Card Program

Sharing the holiday spirit with as many of their registered families as possible.

• Family Sponsorship - The Gift of Shopping
  • giving families the gift of shopping for their children, asking for gift card donations only (no toys or clothes)
  • looking for $100 in Walmart gift cards per child, as well as a $100 grocery gift card for the family for holiday meal shopping
  • sponsors should expect to spend between $300-$500
  • Tax receipts are provided
  • to sponsor a family, visit Sign up to Sponsor a Family
• Gift Card Donation - Any Amount
  • Donation of grocery and gas gift cards in any denomination are welcome
  • help to supplement family sponsorships and ensure that they can help as many families as possible
  • no need to ‘sign up’, gift cards can be brought into the charity anytime and are always welcome
• Financial Donation - Any Amount
  • Donation will be used to create Family Holiday Packages for any families who are not directly sponsored, as well as to support year round programming
  • make a donation by Interac e-transfer, cheque or credit card
  • https://www.safetynetservices.ca/monetary-donation

Also Accepting:

• Clothing and Shoes
• New Kids pajamas
• Diapers and Menstrual Products
• Housewares, only accepting the items listed
• Adult bicycles, particularly small and medium size
• Furniture

Clothing Drop off during open hours

• 166 South Service Rd E
• please bag all donations
• recyclable fabrics can be donated, including worn and torn clothing, bedding, and towels (please label those bags "recycling" to assist volunteers)

The Oakville & Milton Humane Society (OMHS) 

2025 OMHS Calendar

The Oakville & Milton Humane Society’s 2025 Calendar can be pre-ordered here

Holiday Matching Campaign

When you donate today, your gift will be matched up to $20,000 by the Walker Wood Foundation, for the 2024 Holiday Matching Campaign

• Donate to help the animals, visit omhs.ca/holiday24

Womens' Centre of Halton

Providing the opportunity to sponsor a family (small or large) for the holidays

• to sponsor a family, visit www.bit.ly/sponsor-family-TWC
• for more ways to donate, visit thewomenscentreofhalton.com/donate

- FUNDRAISING EVENTS -

GIVEOakville Charity Giving Guide (Nov 15-Dec 9)

The Oakville Community Foundation’s online community granting program for local charitable organizations seeking up to $25,000

• the Guide is open from Nov 15 until Dec 9, 2024
• to view the guide, visit theocf.org/giveoakville
• the Foundation covers all transaction fees, 100% of your donation goes directly to the charities of your choice
• tax receipts are also issued for all donations

United Way’s Holiday Helping Hand (until Dec 6th)

Whether it’s crafting handmade decorations in support of a local agency, adopting a family in need, or donating to a gift drive, taking part in our Holiday Helping Hand program makes the days merry and bright! 

• opportunities are listed on website
• registration deadline for adopt-a-family and gift drive is Dec 6
• all adopt-a-family and gift drive items must be dropped off to the Community Donation Warehouse in Burlington, on Dec 11 and 12, from 9 am to 6 pm

Halton Shoebox Holiday Drive (Nov 18-Dec 12)

To uplift and empower women who are experiencing or at-risk-of homelessness through in-kind support, education, and community participation

• volunteers distribute these gifts to local women’s shelters and community agencies serving women impacted by homelessness
• donate virtually or in-person
• How to Make a Shoebox

Oakville drop off locations:

• Flourish & Bask, 245 Lakeshore Rd East
• House Warmings, 550 Speers Rd
• Thrive Lounge (formerly Tan Temptations), 478 Dundas St West, Unit 16
• Amica Presentation Centre, Oakville Place, 2nd Floor

Other Ways You Can Support:

• Create a Virtual Shoebox
• Make a Donation to the Halton Chapter
• Get Your Company Involved
• Fundraise for the Halton Chapter
• Host a "Shoebox-Raiser"
• Volunteer Driver-Shoebox Pickups & Deliveries

Miracle on Main Street (formerly Toys for Tots) (Until Dec 9th)

The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) and the Tiger Jeet Singh Foundation are proud to be partnering again for the annual Miracle on Main Street Toy Drive, to collect and distribute funds and toys to families in need throughout the Halton Region

• accepting toy donations (new and unwrapped), cash, and gift cards at all Halton Regional Police Service locations
  • Regional Headquarters: 2485 North Service Rd. W., Oakville
  • 20 Division: 95 Oak Walk Dr., Oakville
• donations can also be made online through tigerjeetsinghfoundation.com/donate or by visiting one of the scheduled events detailed below

Cram-A-Cruiser

• Sat Nov 23rd, 30th and Dec7th
  • 2510 Hyde Park Gate, Oakville from 10 am-2pm
  • 400 Dundas Street East, Oakville from 10:15 am-2:15 pm
  • 1100 Kerr Street, Oakville from 10:30 am-2:30 pm

Halton Miracle on Main Event:

• Sat Dec 7, 2 pm-7 pm, in Downtown Milton
• Free admission with a Toy Donation
• Festivities include: free amusement rides, live entertainment, local vendors, petting zoo, pony rides, tree lighting and photos with Santa

For more Information visit www.MiracleOnMain.ca or tigerjeetsinghfoundation.com, or contact miracleonmain@haltonpolice.ca or info@tjsf.ca

Santa Shuffle Fun Run & Elf Walk 2024 - Oakville (Virtual - Dec 7th)

A meaningful, safe, and fun run/walk to support people in your community who may be struggling to make ends meet

• Oakville contact: Heather Prystanski, heather.prystanski@salvationarmy.ca
• register here

Hours vary with event

No application required