You may need extra help this season or you might have something to give. This guide includes ways to receive or donate to local toy drives, angel trees, community meals, food shelf donations and more in 2023.
Special thanks to all the volunteers and businesses that make our season brighter.
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TOY DRIVES AND DONATIONS
Waconia Toy Drive will be collecting toys at local businesses until Nov. 24, 2023. All gift donations for children ages infant through 18 years must be new and unwrapped.
Donations may be dropped off at select Waconia businesses during regular hours. (list coming soon)
You can bring new unwrapped toys and money donations to the Tree Lighting Ceremony in City Square Park on November 24th.
Gifting day is Friday, December 1, 2023 from 9am- 6:30pm at Freshwater Community Church. You will be required to show proof of address that you live in the Waconia school district.
Chaska Santa will be collecting Toys for Tots. Donations are needed for all ages 0-18. Donations can be made at local businesses during regular hours. Donations are needed before December 13, 2023.
Distribution will take place December 14-16, 2023 at Chaska VFW Post 1791. Sign up online to receive before Dec. 8th. You will have to bring a picture ID with.
Donations may be dropped off at select Chaska area businesses during regular hours. (list coming soon)
VFW in Chaska is located at 620 Creek Road Chaska, MN 55318 Follow Chaska Santa on Facebook for more updates.
Chanhassen Fire Station will be collecting Toys for Tots. Donations are needed for all ages 0-18. Donations can be dropped off at the station November 8 through December 9 from 8am-8pm daily.
Parkside Church is working with Love INC for those in need this holiday season. If you are in need of help this Christmas, you can contact Love INC at (952) 448-3261 to register for participation in this event.
The Joy Jam will take place on December 17, 2023. Volunteers are also needed to help organize, wrap and deliver gifts. Learn more about sign up on their website.
The City of Watertown will be collecting toys until December 15, 2023. They can be dropped off at Watertown City Hall 309 Lewis Ave S. Watertown, MN>
COMMUNITY MEALS AND FOOD PACKING
Carver County has a Free Food Distribution for everyone. Food is packaged for drive-thru pickup.
Chaska Dates - Nov. 16, 2023 and Dec. 21, 2023. Pick up between 12pm - 1:00pm at 2100 Stoughton Ave Chaska MN 55318.
Norwood Young America Dates - Nov. 1 and Dec. 6, 2023. Pick up between 12:30pm-1:30pm. City Hall 310 Elm Street West Norwood Young America, MN 55368.
Food Distribution are volunteer-run and always looking for more help. Sign up HERE.
Feed My Starving Children in Chanhassen, MN needs volunteers to hand-pack meals that are sent to children around the world. Reserve a time to help pack.
Feed My Starving Children is located at 18732 Lake Drive East Chanhassen, MN 55317
Website (952) 937-2329 Chanhasseninfo@fmsc.org
ANGEL TREES AND DIRECT DONATIONS
Off The Top Hairstyling in Waconia has an angel tree and if you are in need of gifts you can pick up or Download the FORM and return by December 1, 2023. It can be dropped off or mailed to Off The Top Hairstyling or Email shawnaoffthetop@gmail.com to be added to the tree.
If you would like to help you can stop in now at Off The Top Hairstyling and pick an angel and purchase a gift for that person. Regular hours are Monday - Thursday 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM, Friday 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Saturday 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM and Closed on Sundays.
Off The Top Hairstyling is located at 9364 Oak Ave, Suite A, Waconia, MN 55387. Website (952) 442-1777
COAT AND WINTER GEAR COLLECTION
St. Joesph School in Waconia is collecting gently used winter outerwear in sizes Toddler to Adult XL. Drop off October 30 - November 20, 2023. Boots, Hats, Gloves, Mittens, Snowpants, Coats and Scarves.
Drop off at St. Joesph's Community.
Any youth in need of winter gear there will be a pick up on December 1, 2023 from 8am-7pm. St. Joseph Catholic Community 41 East First Street Waconia, MN 55387. All are welcome. No registration is required.
FOOD SHELF DONATION
Bountiful Basket Chaska is a Food Shelf helping families in Carver, Chanhassen, Chaska and Victoria
If you are in need you can call (952) 556-0244 to schedule an appointment.
Food can be donated during open hours.
- Monday – 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m
- Tuesday – 9 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
- Wednesday – 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
- Thursday – 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
- Friday – 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
- First and Third Saturday of each month 9 a.m. – Noon
There are many ways to volunteer, food pick up, client assistance, front desk and food warehouse. Visit website for more information and available opportunities.
Bountiful Basket Chaska is located at 1600 Bavaria Road, Chaska, MN 55318 (952) 556-0244
Bountiful Basket Cologne is a Food Shelf helping families in Cologne, MN.
If you are in need you can call (952) 988-2802 to schedule an appointment.
Food can be donated during open hours.
- Thursday – 3:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
- Friday – 10 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
There are many ways to volunteer, food pick up, client assistance, front desk and food warehouse. Visit website for more information and available opportunities.
Bountiful Basket is located at (at St. Bernard's Catholic School) 300 Church St. E Cologne, MN. 55322 (952) 988-2802
Gather and Grow Waconia United Food Shelf, serving residents in Waconia, Victoria, New Germany, St. Bonifacius, and Cologne, MN.
If you are in need of assistance an appointment is required to shop.
Hours;
- Monday: 9:00am–11:45am
- Tuesday: 4:00pm–6:45pm.
- Thursday: 4:00pm–6:45pm.
- Saturday: 9:00am–11:45am
Closed on Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays and Holidays.
Donations are always needed as well as volunteers. Visit website for current needs.
Waconia United Food Shelf is located at 11 South Elm Street, Waconia, MN 55387 (952) 442-3878
Watertown Food Shelf in Watertown, MN.
Donations can be dropped off during regular hours.
- Mondays from 4pm- 7 pm
- Tuesdays 9 am - 12pm
- Fridays from 9 am - 12pm
To receive food limited to one visit per month.
Watertown Food Shelf is located at 309 Lewis Avenue South, Watertown, MN 55388 (952) 955-1980
Southwest Carver County Food Shelf in Norwood Young America, MN.
- Hours are Tuesdays- 12:30pm-5 pm.
Southwest Carver County Food Shelf is located at 10 First Avenue NE, Norwood Young America (952) 467-1870
PROP (People Reaching Out to People) Offers food programs to Eden Prairie and Chanhassen residents.
Food Shelf hours, by appointment only.
Hours;
- Monday: 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- Tuesday: 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
- Wednesday: 3:00p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- Thursday: 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
- Friday: 9:30am to 1:00pm
PROP is located at 14700 Martin Drive Eden Prairie, MN 55344 (952) 937-9120
We are still working on this list and if you know of a great place to donate please send an email to Jamies@macaronikid.com.
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