Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child - Due Nov. 16

Gift-filled shoeboxes bring joy, hope, and the Good News of Jesus to the children around the world! Pick up your Operation Christmas Child Box and label, fill the box with small toys, a note of love, school supplies and/or hygiene items, make the $10 shipping payment ONLINE via your shoebox label, and return the unwrapped box to Concordia by Sunday, Nov. 16. (Please note: Late boxes cannot be accepted due to shipping deadlines.)

Gabriella’s Smile Foundation - Due Nov. 29

Gabriella's Smile exists to improve the lives of children battling cancer and their families. This organization seeks to help families, fund research, and raise awareness for pediatric cancer. Please pick up a bag, fill it with the items below, and return to Concordia. Gift ideas include:
Coloring and activity books, crayons, colored pencils, or markers, small craft kits, card games, puzzles, and activity sets, fidget or sensory toys, journals and fun pens for older children and teens, cozy socks or other small comfort items.

Salvation Army Angel Tree - Due Nov. 29

The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program provides new clothing and toys for children of families in need through the support of people like you. Pick up your Angel Tree tag which has the first name, age, and gender of a child in need of gifts. This program provides Christmas gifts for eligible families of children aged newborn to 13 years of age. Purchase gifts and return them to Concordia unwrapped in the provided bag. We’ll take care of delivery.

Vault Fostering Community - Due Nov. 29

Vault Fostering Community supports and equips local foster and kinship families with essential items for the children placed in their care. Their Stock a Shelf Donation Drive ensures every child has not just gifts under the tree, but the essentials that make daily life possible. This Christmas, Concordia has committed to stocking Vault’s shelves with new, unopened diapers, wipes, and formula for children of all ages. Help bring comfort and care to a child in foster care this holiday season by donating these everyday essentials that make a meaningful difference.

ThriveWell Cancer Foundation - Due Nov. 29

During Christmas, providing comfort items to individuals undergoing cancer treatment is a heartfelt way to share Christ’s love and bring them hope. Please pick up a bag and fill it with thoughtful gifts, such as warm blankets, comforting notes, lip balm, magazines, socks, crossword puzzles/activity books/adult coloring books, chemo port pillow (Amazon), and hard candy, packed in the provided bag, remind them that they are not alone and that God's love surrounds them. It’s an opportunity to show compassion and care - offering both physical comfort and emotional encouragement while shining His light along their difficult journey.

The Children’s Center - Due Nov. 29

The Children’s Center serves children and families impacted by abuse and neglect. These donations will bring joy to teenagers this Christmas! All donations should be unwrapped. Gift ideas include: Hygiene - Perfume/cologne, body spray, makeup/nail accessories, hair products, skincare; Art supplies - acrylic, watercolor, brushes; Sports equipment - sports balls, helmets, skateboards, gloves; Gift Cards - restaurants, retail stores, amusement parks; College items - Lamps, bedding

Unhoused Communities - Due Nov. 29

Supporting the unhoused population is essential to fostering a compassionate and caring community. Providing essential items such as NEW underclothing, socks, gloves, hats, sweats, and blankets can significantly improve their daily comfort and safety. These items help protect against harsh weather conditions and offer a sense of dignity and hope and will be shared with both Communities Under the Bridge (CUB) and the Salvation Army.

San Antonio Food Bank Drive - Due Nov. 29

The San Antonio Food Bank actively fights hunger and feeds hope in San Antonio and Southwest Texas. Founded in 1980, the San Antonio Food Bank serves one of the largest service areas in Southwest Texas. Its focus is for clients to have food for today but also to have the resources to be self-sufficient in the future. Basic food items can be a wonderful and often much-needed gift at Christmas. This annual food drive supports the San Antonio Food Bank in their effort to make this season more special for families in need. Most wanted items include peanut butter, cereal, tuna, pop top food items, beans, rice, mac & cheese, full meals in can/box, chili & soups, canned lunch meats, baby food & diapers, and pet food.

WE CANNOT ACCEPT: Glass containers, homemade goods, rusty or unlabeled cans, alcoholic beverages, mixes or sodas, opened or used items, baby food in jars, over-the-counter or prescription drugs, food after or very close to the expiration date.

Soldiers’ Angels - Due Nov. 29

Holiday Stockings for Heroes! Pick up a stocking and a card and include any combination of the following items, along the provided card, inside the stocking to let Service Members and Veterans know you’re thinking of them this season. Please note: All food items should be store-bought.
Slim Jims or Beef Jerky, packages of Holiday nuts, single-serving drink mix packets (Crystal Light, Powerade, etc.), candy canes, holiday candy (in sealed wrapping or small unopened bags), peanut brittle, single-serving cookie packages, apple cider packets (must be in Ziploc baggies), hot chocolate packets (must be in Ziploc baggies), travel-sized games, card games (Uno, Phase 10), stress balls (holiday-themed preferred), holiday-themed writing pens or pencils, small notepads, puzzle book (Crosswords, Sudoku, Word Find), playing cards, holiday-themed lip balm, gloves (preferably black; winter; one size fits all), socks, other holiday-themed items. **We will provide each stocking with a winter cap/hat to "close" the top of the stockings.
Please do NOT include these items:
NO GLASS (containers, ornaments, etc), NO SHARP OBJECTS (safety pins, razors, pocket knives), NO PRODUCTS CONTAINING ALCOHOL (some mouthwash and colognes may contain alcohol), NO MEDICATIONS (OTC or otherwise), NO CBD or HEMP PRODUCTS, NO TOBACCO PRODUCTS, NO AEROSOLS, NO HAND SANITIZER, NO GLITTER, NO BRANDED STOCKINGS or marketing materials with company/organization names, logos, etc., NO POLITICAL MATERIALS, NO NAIL POLISH

Good Samaritan Community Services - Due Nov. 29

Help us make the holidays a little brighter for senior citizens in our Good Sam programs. We are collecting holiday meal packages to help families enjoy a warm, festive meal together. Please pick up a bag and a card from Christmas Central and fill with:
Two cans of corn, two cans of green beans, one can of sweet potatoes, one box of mashed potatoes, one box of stuffing, one box of gravy, one can of cranberries, one package of plates, one package of napkins, one box of dessert mix, one board or card game.