If you need a little help with some Christmas magic this holiday season, several local holiday assistance programs in Polk County provide toys, gifts, and food to families in need.
All of these programs require early applications (usually in October or November) to ensure enough toys and food are available. Be sure to apply before the deadline!
Looking for even more holiday magic? Don’t miss our 2025 Lakeland + Polk County Christmas Guide — the ultimate local roundup of parades, Santa photos, Christmas lights, concerts, craft fairs, and everything merry and bright this season.
If you’re looking to donate toys or volunteer this year, check out our companion guide: Christmas Toy Donations and Volunteer Opportunities – it includes details on how to donate to all of these organizations plus others who are already serving a specific audience.
Check with the organizations listed below or visit a local food bank for assistance with Christmas dinner.
Free Christmas Assistance Programs in Lakeland + Polk County
Polk County Christmas Assistance – Toys for Tots Polk County
The U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is managed by dedicated United States Marines and local volunteers. Polk County Toys for Tots served over 14,000 children last year! They provide supplemental Christmas toys to children from newborn through age 13, with the goal of providing one large and one small gift for each child. Our local Toys for Tots chapter serves families in Lakeland, FL, Winter Haven, FL, and across Polk County.
How to apply for Toys for Tots:
- Application Window: October 1, 2025 – November 7, 2025 (closes at 2:00 PM)
- Pickup: Mid-December (pickup location assigned by ZIP code)
- Apply Online: polkcounty-fl.toysfortots.org
Eligibility Summary
- Must live in Polk County, Florida
- Children must be 12 or younger (as of Dec. 25, 2025)
- Parent/guardian must show proof of Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, or TANF benefits
- Children must be in the applicant’s legal care (birth, adoption, or court documentation)
Tip: The fastest way to be processed is to bring your Polk County photo ID and open your Access Florida app showing each child’s name, date of birth, and current benefits.
Note: Children receiving toys from any other local community, faith-based organization, church or school program should not request toys through the Toys for Tots program. Please help make sure all children in the community with needs receive toys for Christmas.
Lakeland Christmas Assistance – Cops for Kids
Coordinated by the Lakeland Police Department, this program provides free Christmas toys to children ages 12 and under. Families must register in person.
- Dates & Locations:
- Wednesday, October 15, 2025 – Simpson Park Community Center, 1725 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave
- Monday, October 27, 2025 – Lakeland Police Department Community Room, 219 N. Massachusetts Ave
- Tuesday, October 28, 2025 – Lakeland Police Department Community Room, 219 N. Massachusetts Ave
- Hours: 9:00 AM–4:00 PM and 6:00–8:00 PM
Requirements
- Must be a Lakeland resident
- Must not have received assistance from the program in the past two years
- Bring:
- Current Lakeland Electric bill (Lakeland address required)
- Photo ID
- Original birth certificate for each child (12 and under)
Registration does not guarantee acceptance.
Drop boxes for this local toy drive can be found in our community, visit our Christmas Giving article for details. Contact the Lakeland Police Department on Facebook or at (863) 834-6900 for more information.
Lighthouse Ministries Holiday Food Box and Christmas Toy Application
Lighthouse Ministries provides both food and toy assistance during the holidays.
- Thanksgiving Food Box Deadline: October 24, 2025
- Christmas Food Box & Toy Deadline: November 21, 2025
- Apply In Person: Bring proof of income, proof of expenses, picture ID, and Social Security cards for all household members.
- Option: You may fill out an application at the store, but completing it ahead of time will save you time. Visit the Lighthouse Ministries website for the application and more information.
Locations include:
Lakeland Family Store – 3111 Us Hwy 98 S. Suite 130, Lakeland, Fl 33803
Winter Haven Family Store – 3094 Havendale Boulevard, Winter Haven, FL 33881
Plant City Family Store – 2410 W. Baker St, Plant City, FL 33563
Plus Brandon and Ybor City Tampa locations.
Riley’s Reindeers
The mission of Riley’s Reindeers is to share holiday cheer with families in need so that no child goes without a gift on Christmas. Originally started by a U.S. Navy veteran, their work is inclusive of all families; support is provided regardless of financial status, family structure, identity, and residency.
- Event Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025
- Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Location: Hunt Fountain Park, 7036 Green Rd, Lakeland, FL 33810
- Details: No signup required — gifts are distributed first-come, first-served.
- Learn More: Riley’s Reindeers Website
Salvation Army Angel Tree – Lakeland FL / West Polk
The Angel Tree Program helps provide gifts for children in need during the Christmas season. The application window typically opens the first week of October and is available for only a short period.
Call (863) 853-2214 or visit the Salvation Army Lakeland Facebook page for current application instructions.
The Salvation Army of West Polk serves Bartow, Bradley, Fort Meade, Highland City, Kathleen, Lakeland, Mulberry and Polk City.
Salvation Army Angel Tree – Winter Haven / East Polk
Applications for the Angel Tree program in Winter Haven are taken in person. To learn more visit the Salvation Army Winter Haven website. Donations are needed to help children in Winter Haven have a magical Christmas. Visit our Christmas Donations + Volunteer Guide to find out how you can help the Salvation Army in Winter Haven this year.
The Salvation Army of East Polk serves Winter Haven, Haines City, Davenport, Lake Wales, and portions of Bartow, Auburndale, and Polk City.
Mulberry Christmas Help – Mulberry Community Service Center
The Mulberry Community Service Center is a non-profit organization working to create financially stable households. They provide food and clothing distribution, bill payment assistance, and financial education resources to residents of Mulberry, Nichols, Pine Lake, Willow Oaks, Fuller Heights, Imperial Lakes, Bradley and southeast Lakeland (ZIP Code 33813). If you live in one of these areas, contact the Mulberry Community Service Center at 863-425-1523 to learn how to apply for assistance.
Bartow Holiday Assistance – Bartow Church Service Center
The Bartow Church Service Center provides emergency services year-round for those in Bartow and the Bartow school district. They attempt to meet the emergency needs of individuals on a temporary basis with food, clothing, meals, household items, gas, utilities, rent, transportation vouchers, housing, financial education services and much more. They also distribute food at Thanksgiving and toys at Christmas. If you live in the Bartow area, contact the Bartow Church Service Center at (863) 533-5822 to learn how to apply for assistance.
Frostproof Holiday Assistance – Frostproof Care Center
The Frostproof Care Center is in its twenty-sixth year of service to disadvantaged people in the rural southeastern corner of Polk County, Florida, including Frostproof and Babson Park. The Care Center helps individuals and families by meeting immediate and urgent physical needs caused by sudden trauma, disaster or economic instability and providing transitional services, education and mentoring to help them “get back on their feet.” They also distribute food at Thanksgiving and toys at Christmas. If you live in the Frostproof area, contact the Frostproof Care Center at 863-635-5555 to learn how to apply for assistance.
Lake Wales Christmas Assistance – Lake Wales Care Center
If you live in Lake Wales or a nearby community, the Lake Wales Care Center provides year-round assistance as well as holiday help to hundreds of families during the holiday season through the annual food drive and holiday meals, Christmas gifts that are provided to children, and more.
If you are a resident of the Lake Wales area and would like to receive holiday assistance this year, please contact the Lake Wales Care Center’s Main Office at 863-676-6678 to schedule an appointment with a case manager. Learn more on the LWCC Website.
More Local Resources for inexpensive and free Christmas Toys + Gifts
United Way 211 Referral Service
If you’re searching for Christmas help near you, apply with one of the local charity organizations listed above. You can also contact United Way’s 2-1-1 Service for referrals for holiday assistance:
Dial 2-1-1 | Text your ZIP code to 898-211 | Visit the 2-1-1 Website
Facebook Groups for free Christmas gifts + Local Assistance
In addition to organized programs, you can often find free or inexpensive Christmas gifts through local Facebook groups and online community pages. Many Polk County families share gently used toys, clothes, and holiday decor during December – and it’s a great way to stretch your budget while helping reduce waste.
Try searching Facebook for group names like:
- “Mom Swap” (example: Mom Swap Lakeland)
- “Buy Nothing” (example: Buy Nothing Bartow or Buy Nothing Winter Haven)
- “Buy/Sell/Trade” (example: Polk County Buy Sell Trade)
Just type these phrases into Facebook and include your city name or Polk County to find local groups near you.
You can also check Facebook Marketplace under the Free Stuff category, where people often give away toys, holiday decorations, or gently used bikes and play equipment.
Tip: Set up Marketplace alerts for search terms like “Christmas toys” or “holiday decorations” so you’ll get notified when new items are posted in your area.
Assistance is also provided by local churches and other community organizations. If you know of an organization providing Christmas help to our community – free toys, Christmas dinners, Christmas trees, or other items – or if you are part of a local organization that would like to be added to this list, please contact us.
Community Resource Guide
Check out our Community Resources Guide for Lakeland + Polk County to find places to volunteer and donate, community assistance, foster care, and more.
