Holiday Food and Gift Basket has concluded our 2025 season, and I want to thank the hundreds of donors, sponsors, and volunteers who gave so generously to make it a success.

This year, 667 families totalling 1,873 individuals were referred to us by schools, township offices, and senior and disability housing providers. Each family received a gift card to Jewel-Osco the week before Thanksgiving, ranging from $40 to $85 depending on family size. In addition, every family was matched with a community sponsor who purchased gifts from their holiday wish list.

In 2025, donors contributed more than $66,000 that paid for the grocery gift cards and other program expenses. We also received grants from Oak Park Township and River Forest Township totalling $11,500. Sponsors shopped for, wrapped, and dropped off holiday gifts valued at approximately $100,000.

I am so grateful to our long-time volunteers who assisted both in the office and during gift drop-off week. Thank you as well to the youth volunteers from Oak Park and River Forest High School Civics and the Oak Park Township Community Justice Program, who spent hours helping in the cold. And to the volunteers who delivered thousands of gifts to hundreds of families on Saturday, December 13—we couldn’t do this without you.

A special thank you to two congregations who are essential to our operations. First United Church of Oak Park donates office space year-round, and United Lutheran Church hosts gift drop-off week each December by sharing their sanctuary and other spaces throughout their building.

Holiday Food and Gift Basket has been spreading joy in Oak Park and River Forest since the 1970s. Our small program has a big impact because of the support of community members like you.

If you would like to help with our ongoing fundraising efforts, please click the GIVE button in the upper right corner of this page. Be sure to indicate that your donation is for Holiday Food and Gift Basket. Or you can mail a check to:

Holiday Food and Gift Basket
℅ Community of Congregations
P.O. Box 3365
Oak Park, IL 60303-3365

If you are interested in being involved as a sponsor or volunteer, you can email me at hfgbholidays@gmail.com.

Thank you for helping our neighbors in need.

Kelly Pollock, Director

Holiday Food and Gift Basket is a program of the Community of Congregations, a 501(c)(3) organization.