Because of You, Holiday Helpings Brought Joy to Families this Holiday Season!
This year our community really came together to support each other in the midst of a government shutdown crisis and paused SNAP benefits. Many of our neighbors faced uncertainty about their next meal—especially as Thanksgiving approached. But thanks to the tremendous outpouring of support from our neighbors, donors, volunteers, local businesses, and corporate partners we were able to provide meals to over 17,000 households, that’s one million meals served. What is even more encouraging about the strength of our community is that we surpassed our goal and raised over $1.5 million—which provided meals to our neighbors, including 500 turkeys to our mutual aid groups, including Ward 4 and Ward 5, apartment complexes, and DC public schools. In addition to that, we also provided holiday meals to 50 partners and community groups.
For 34 years, Holiday Helpings has been more than a meal—it’s a reflection of the true spirit of community and generosity. Thanks to our compassionate supporters, partners, and volunteers, families across DC experienced the warmth of the holiday season, and together you showed what real community looks like.
From all of us at Bread for the City, thank you.
Holiday Helpings Highlights:
A Generous Gift from Amazon: Amazon’s generous and meaningful donation helped us to reach over 8,500 additional neighbors throughout the city.
Culturally Inclusive Holiday Side Options: This year we brought back a favorite, offering more side options with East Asian and Latine ingredients, so families can celebrate the holidays, their way.
1,800 DoorDash Deliveries: Bread for the City was able to deliver 1,800 meals, (3x more than last year)Â with the help from our friends at DoorDash to residential communities, including apartment buildings for seniors across DC.
Individual & Team Fundraising Drives Grew by 28%: Our incredible supporters who ran fundraisers during Holiday Helpings raised a collective $273,560 (28% more compared to last year), which helped to put more holiday meals on tables across DC.
Volunteers Making It Happen: 1,350 dedicated volunteers contributed over 1,800 hours to distribute thousands of holiday turkeys and groceries every week.
I want to begin by thanking our incredible staff. Our Food team once again anchored this effort, joined by colleagues across the organization who stepped up to make Holiday Helpings possible for the 34th year.
Their commitment and care ensured that our neighbors could celebrate the holidays at home, surrounded by the people they love—and I am deeply grateful for their leadership and teamwork.
As we turn the page to a new year of service, please know that every contribution mattered. Every gift, volunteer hour, fundraiser, and message shared helped strengthen our community. Because of you, our neighbors are better supported, more connected, and more resilient. Your generosity fuels our work, and we look forward to continuing to build a more just and inclusive community together.
Thank you for helping make this year’s Holiday Helpings so meaningful. Here’s to many more meals shared, lives uplifted, and moments of care in action.
With deepest gratitude,
George A. Jones
Chief Executive Officer
Bread for the City