Holidays Helpings 2025:
The Holidays Are Better Together
Â
With your support and donations, more than 17,000 families received holiday meals through this year’s Holiday Helpings program.
-Thank You
If you or someone you know is in need of food or other essential items please go here for more information.
“Since moving to the United States, my family and I have embraced the Thanksgiving tradition, gathering around the turkey we receive from Bread for the City. But having the addition of East Asian ingredients truly brings a taste of home to our table, making Holiday Helpings feel even more meaningful!” – Ms. Yu
Spread the word about Holiday Helpings this year!
How to Get Your Thanksgiving Meal
Bread for the City is here to make sure your table is full this holiday season. To receive a holiday meal, you need to be a DC resident and provide ID. Â
Holiday Helpings meals are available for pick-up at both our NW and SE pantries:
- November 3–25
- Monday through Friday from 9 am–4 pm
- Closed Nov 11 in observance of Veteran’s DayÂ
We can’t wait to celebrate the season with you!Â
See our FAQs for full details.
Choose How to Help
At the heart of what we do is caring for our community and building connections—especially during the holidays. In challenging times, one of the most meaningful ways we can respond is by extending compassion and support to our neighbors right here in our city.
Bread for the City’s Holiday Helpings food program is one way we show up for each other. With your support, we can ensure 17,000 families experience the joy and warmth of the holidays with traditional and culturally inclusive meal kits—including Latine and East Asian options that reflect the rich diversity of our community.
Together, let’s raise $1.2 million to make Holiday Helpings 2025 impactful and spread the spirit of community!
- $35Â gives one of our neighbors a warm, nourishing meal.
- $75 fills a small family’s table.
- $100Â provides a family of four with a holiday feast.
Whether you’re giving or receiving this year, we’re gathered at the same table. The time to take action is NOW.
Frequently Asked Questions
Holiday Helpings is Bread for the City’s annual seasonal program, led by our Food Program team to ensure low income community members have what they need to celebrate the holidays with dignity. Now in its 33rd year, Holiday Helpings provides thousands of DC families with whole turkeys (or chicken), festive fixings, and seasonal fresh produce throughout the month of November.
At Bread for the City, we believe that food is a basic human right—everyone deserves to celebrate the holidays with loved ones. This Thanksgiving, as DC families face rising costs, SNAP benefit cuts, and growing food insecurity, you can help fill a holiday table for a family in need. Our mission is to provide supportive services with dignity and respect, and what better way to fulfill that mission than by showing up for our neighbors during the holidays.
This year’s Holidays Helpings runs from Monday, November 3 through Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at both our Northwest and Southeast centers. Distribution is available Monday through Friday from 9 am to 4 pm. We will be closed November 11 in observance of Veteran’s Day.
This year, Bread for the City aims to provide 17,000 DC households with their choice of turkey or chicken, along with nutritious holiday groceries. In 2024, we served over 16,000 families across DC, filling their tables with culturally diverse side dishes, and fresh produce sourced from local Black farmers.
Produce will vary based on availability, but families can expect a mix of seasonal and familiar favorites. We source fresh produce from local and Black-owned farms whenever possible.
During the month of November, we only offer Holiday Helpings distribution once per household. Our weekly Friday farmers market will also be paused throughout November.
Yes! We offer vegetarian and alternative options. You can choose from three prepackaged groceries:
- Asian package (includes tofu for protein)
- Latine package (includes beans for protein)
- Traditional package (includes whole turkey or chicken)
Yes, you can pick up for someone else. Please bring a copy of their ID, and we’ll also need to call them to confirm you are authorized to pick up on their behalf.
There is no cost for community members in need of a holiday meal.
Thank You to our 2025 Corporate Sponsors
