Holiday Helpings 2026
Sharing Hope.
One Meal at a Time.
Holiday Helpings
The holiday season should be a time of joy, connection, and shared meals. Yet for many of our neighbors, rising food costs and financial hardship can make it difficult to put a holiday meal on the table.
Through our Holiday Helpings program, Bread for the City brings our community together to help ensure that thousands of Washington, DC families can celebrate the season with dignity, comfort and joy. Whether you choose to donate, volunteer, or support the program in another way, your generosity helps provide holiday meals and brings hope to our neighbors when it matters most.
Together, we can meet the needs of more than 17,000 households living with low incomes.
Thank you for joining us to help make this holiday season brighter for our community.
If you or someone you know is in need of food or other essential items please go here for more information.
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.
Holiday Helpings meals are available for pick-up at both our NW and SE pantries:
- November 2–25
- Monday through Friday from 9 am–3 pm
- Closed Wednesday, Nov 11 in observance of Veteran’s Day
We can’t wait to celebrate the season with you!
See our FAQs below 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 $1.35 million to make Holiday Helpings 2026 impactful and spread the spirit of community!
- $35 gives one of our neighbors a warm, nourishing meal.
- $80 helps fill a small family’s holiday table.
- $105 provides a holiday feast for a family of four.
- $225 ensures a larger family can gather around a holiday meal.
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 community members living with low incomes have what they need to celebrate the holidays with dignity. Now in its 34th year, Holiday Helpings provides thousands of DC families with whole turkeys (or chicken), festive fixings, and seasonal fresh produce throughout the month of November.
Holiday Helpings is our way of helping ensure every family has the opportunity to celebrate the holidays with dignity.
We know many DC families are balancing rising food costs, housing expenses, job loss, and other financial challenges. No one should have to choose between paying a bill and sharing a holiday meal with the people they love.
Through Holiday Helpings, we provide fresh, holiday meals with culturally inclusive sides so families can gather around the table, celebrate their traditions, and create lasting memories. It’s one of the many ways we show up for our neighbors and put our mission into action during the holiday season.
This year’s Holidays Helpings runs from Monday, November 2 through Wednesday, November 25, 2026 at both our Northwest and Southeast centers. Distribution is available Monday through Friday from 9 am to 3 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 holiday meals they can enjoy at home with family and friends. Each household receives their choice of a turkey or chicken, along with nutritious holiday groceries, fresh produce sourced from local Black farmers, and culturally diverse side dishes.
We know every family celebrates differently, so we strive to offer meal options that honor the many cultures and traditions that make Washington, DC such a vibrant community.
Our produce varies based on seasonal availability, but families can expect a mix of fresh fruits and vegetables, including both seasonal favorites and everyday staples. Whenever possible, we source our produce from local and Black-owned farms, bringing fresh, nutritious food to our community while supporting local growers.
Holiday Helpings is available once per household during the month of November. This allows us to serve as many families across DC as possible. Please note that our weekly Friday Farmers Market is also paused throughout the month.
Yes! We offer vegetarian and alternative options. You can choose from three pre-packaged groceries:
- Asian inspired package (includes tofu for protein)
- Latine inspired package (includes beans for protein)
- Traditional package (includes whole turkey or chicken)
There are many ways to support Holiday Helpings! Whether you have a few hours to volunteer or would like to donate canned goods or clothing from our wish list, your support helps make the holidays a little brighter for our neighbors.
Learn more about volunteer opportunities and join us in making a difference.
We’d love for you to join us.
Yes! You can pick up a Holiday Helpings meal for someone else. Just bring a copy of their ID, and we’ll give them a quick call to confirm that you’ve been authorized to pick up on their behalf. This helps us make sure every meal gets to the right family.
Holiday Helpings is FREE for individuals and families who need a holiday meal.