25+ Ways to Find Vacation Help in Houston

Every year, KPRC’s Bill Spencer helps 2 families in need in the Houston area with our Christmas Miracles Project. But Bill and the team can’t help everyone.

As the holiday season begins, nonprofit and community organizations step up to help families in need with toy drives, food assistance, utility assistance and more. Bill and the team have put together a list of groups that provide essential support to make the holidays brighter for everyone.

If you’re looking to give back or need a little extra help this season, here are some key programs and resources available in the Houston area.

First, call the 2-1-1 hotline

If you need assistance, first call United Way Greater Houston at 2-1-1. The United Way offers a variety of services to anyone who needs help with household finances, education, disaster relief and more. When you call 2-1-1, you will speak with someone who will help you find the best organization to help you.

Food and utility support

• Baker Ripley provides rental and utility assistance and food distribution services at various locations. For example, the Gulfton campus hosts food fairs that are open to all community members. They also help with applying for SNAP and Medicaid. For more information, visit their website: BakerRipley.
• Christian Community Service Center (CCSC) offers a pantry and assistance with supplies. Their Jingle Bell Express program distributes toys and food to families in need. Contact them to donate or sign up for support: CCSC Houston.
• Feeding America Holiday Food Drives Local food banks across the country are providing holiday meals to families in need under the coordination of Feeding America. Many locations accept donations of cash, non-perishable food and volunteer help. Find your nearest food bank at Feeding America.
• Catholic Charities, Holiday Assistance Catholic Charities offers a variety of programs including food distribution, toy drives and rental/utility assistance to families in need. Each branch works independently. So check with your local chapter. For more information, visit Catholic Charities USA.

Toy drives and gift donations

• BEAR (Be a Resource for CPS Kids) – Children in the foster care system often leave traumatic situations with only a trash bag full of items to carry. BEAR provides these children with clothing, comfort items, car seats and more to bring them joy. Learn more about their BEARing Gifts holiday program here.
• Star of Hope mission collects gifts for homeless people and families, including toys, toiletries and gift cards. Items can be dropped off at the Women & Family Development Center: Star of Hope until mid-December.
• Salvation Army Angel Tree Program The Angel Tree Initiative connects donors with children and seniors in need and provides gifts such as clothing and toys. Local chapters of The Salvation Army support this program and make holiday wishes come true. Visit Angel Tree to learn more about participating in your area.
• Operation Homefront Holiday Toy Drive This program focuses on military families and partners with Dollar Tree stores to collect and distribute toys. The initiative supports active military members, veterans and their families during the holidays. Learn how to donate or volunteer with Operation Homefront.
• Toys for toddlers Operated by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Toys for Tots collects and distributes new, unwrapped toys to children nationwide. There are drop-off points in most communities. For more information, visit Toys for Tots.

Throughout the year, KPRC 2 and our proud community partners Energy Transfer, Houston Christian University and Exclusive Furniture have featured several organizations that serve our community in different ways.

Organizations featured in the KPRC 2 Community

• Sleep in Heavenly Peace – Beds are handcrafted and delivered to families so no child in our community has to sleep on the floor.
• David’s Legacy Foundation – Providing training, advice and legal services to protect children from bullying and cyberbullying.
• The Restoration Team – provides free home security upgrades to our neighbors who cannot afford to maintain their aging and/or weather-damaged homes.
• Urban Harvest – Offers low-cost mobile farmers markets, community gardens and educational programs to underserved communities in Houston.
• Pet Services – Free and low-cost spay and neuter services, vaccinations and other resources for responsible pet owners.
• Harrison’s Heroes – Putting smiles on children’s faces during their hospital stay. Services include a new hair washing station, a birthday box program, a Christmas tree farm for hospital patients and more.
• Children’s Meals – Providing healthy packed lunches for preschool children who do not yet have access to school meal programs. By providing nutritious meals, Kids’ Meals helps promote children’s brain development and fight hunger.
• US VETS Houston – Serving and empowering veterans with housing, mental health care, job training and more.
• Star of Hope – Supporting homeless individuals and families by providing shelter, education, drug recovery services and more. Star of Hope’s Glad Tidings Adopt-a-Family program allows you to sponsor a family and positively impact them during the holiday season.
• Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation – Help Houston’s children achieve their literacy goals with their Curiosity Cruiser, My Home Library and Reading a Reader programs, as well as many other projects and services dedicated to empowering Houston area youth.

Other nonprofit organizations offer services and support

• Bo’s Place – For individuals and families grieving the loss of a child, parent or loved one, Bo’s Place offers free grief counseling services.
• Wreaths Across America – Houston – Placing wreaths on graves at Houston National Cemetery helps the community remember and learn more about our fallen service members.
• The Mission of Yahweh – A faith-based organization that provides shelter and services to homeless women and children, including survivors of domestic violence. Donate or volunteer to provide holiday assistance to the families they serve.
• Easter Seals Greater Houston – Services for people with special needs and their families. Easter Seals also offers services for veterans. They offer a holiday giving program for families in need.

How you can help

If you are able to donate, consider donating toys, food, or your time as a volunteer. Many of these organizations also accept monetary donations to expand their outreach efforts. Volunteer Houston connects people with places in Houston that need help.

Bill Spencer’s Christmas Miracles for 2024 have been selected and we are in the process of helping these families. We are currently not accepting any further submissions. We hope this resource can help you connect your family to help should you need it this holiday season.