Programs

We continue to develop programs to meet the ongoing needs of families in our community.

HOLIDAY PROGRAM

All families participating in our holiday program must be referred by Montgomery County Public School staff, including Pupil Personnel Workers, Community Care Coordinators, Family Engagement Specialists, counselors, and teachers.

This program creates an opportunity for local community groups—such as neighborhood associations, book clubs, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, and others—to make the holidays more meaningful for families in need. Through a matching process, donors are paired with referred families and can provide new toys, clothing, and other essential items.

Donors have two options:

Monetary contributions (tax-deductible)
Direct giving, where donors receive a family’s wish list and shop for the requested items

For families referred by MCPS who cannot provide a wish list—often due to language barriers or challenging life circumstances—we offer gift cards funded by community donations. These gift cards are especially helpful for last-minute referrals and allow families to select their own essentials, ensuring dignity and flexibility in meeting their needs.

YEAR-ROUND MATCHING PROGRAM

The Year-Round Matching Program aims to connect giving families directly with families in need, prioritizing the upcycling of gently used clothing and toys to support local families on an ongoing basis.

In addition to this core mission, the program provides miscellaneous assistance for critical or emergency needs identified by Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and Frederick County staff. These requests typically address urgent situations that significantly impact a family’s well-being and cannot be met by other organizations. Each request is reviewed and approved by the board on a case-by-case basis.

For newly referred families, the program offers a ONE-TIME GIFT CARD, contingent on the availability of community-donated funds. This gift card helps families purchase essential items during times of crisis. To qualify, families must be referred by school staff in Montgomery or Frederick counties—such as counselors, Pupil Personnel Workers, or Parent Community Coordinators—as being in critical need and requiring emergency support.