The holidays are here and this year feels different! I really want our family to focus this holiday season on kindness, connection, and giving back to our community. If you’re feeling the same way, here are some meaningful, family-friendly ways to give back in Northwest Arkansas this holiday season.
1. Sponsor a Holiday Meal
The Salvation Army and Meals on Wheels both organize programs to provide holiday meals for local families. You can donate funds or ingredients, or help deliver meals before Christmas.
2. Restock Little Free Pantries
Those small neighborhood pantries you see around town make a big difference. Add a few canned goods, snacks, or toiletries throughout the holiday season. It’s an easy habit that shows your kids what everyday giving looks like.
3. Donate Your Things!
If your family has outgrown clothes or toys, or you’ve picked up a few extras during holiday shopping, there are so many local organizations that will make sure they find their way to a family who needs them most. Here are a few trusted spots recommended by our NWA community.
United Way of NWA
United Way of Northwest Arkansas matches donors with local kids who could use a little extra holiday cheer. You can shop for gifts, wrap them as a family, and drop them off together. It’s one of the best ways to show kids how giving can be just as exciting as receiving.
Donate to CARE for the Holidays or Toys for Tots (Rogers)
CARE Community Center in Rogers partners with Toys for Tots to collect new, unwrapped toys for local families. You can drop off gifts, help sort donations, or even start a small toy drive through your child’s school or church group.
Peace at Home Family Shelter (Fayetteville)
The shelter accepts donations for families staying there, as well as items for their thrift store off Garland Avenue. Proceeds from the store go right back into supporting families in crisis. Around Christmas, the shelter also accepts new toy donations so parents can choose and wrap gifts for their children.
NWA Women’s Shelter + Thrift Store (Rogers)
This thrift store helps support women and children experiencing domestic violence. Items donated are either given directly to families or sold in-store to fund programs.
The Call Closet (Bentonville & Fayetteville)
A wonderful resource for foster families. The Call Closet provides free clothing, toys, and essentials for kids entering new placements—a time when families often have little notice to prepare.
CASA Foster Closet
CASA helps children in foster care by providing clothes, toys, and comfort items to make transitions easier. Gently used toys in good condition are always appreciated.
Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter
The shelter provides safety and care for children in crisis. They accept clothing, toys, books, and other gifts during the holidays, and they’re always looking for volunteers to help with wrapping and delivery.
Local Daycares & Preschools
Many daycares in the area will happily accept gently used toys to replace broken ones or to share with families who may need them. Patty’s Daycare in Fayetteville is one local example (479-841-2479).
Schools Across NWA
Kindergarten and elementary teachers often know exactly which families could use a little extra help. You can drop toys at your local school office, just mention they’re for teachers to share with children in need.
The Manna Center (Siloam Springs)
This organization accepts donations year-round. Items are sold in their thrift store, with proceeds going directly to their food distribution program. They also provide new toys and diapers for families at Christmas.
Havenwood (Bentonville)
A transitional housing program for single mothers. They’re always in need of new or gently used toys for children living on-site.
Life Ministries (Prairie Grove)
Life Ministries provides support to local families through food and clothing programs—and they welcome toys for holiday distribution.
Life Source (Fayetteville)
Call ahead to confirm donation needs, but this community center often accepts toys and household items for families they serve.
Samaritan Community Center (Rogers & Springdale)
This organization runs year-round programs that help families in need. They accept new toys for their Christmas events and ongoing family support initiatives.
Arkansas Children’s Hospital Northwest (Springdale)
If you’re donating to ACH, toys must be new and unopened. These gifts brighten hospital stays for kids throughout the year.
Kids for the Future & KidsCorp
Located in Rogers, Johnson, and Decatur, these early intervention therapy centers serve children from six weeks to six years old. They love receiving toys for classrooms and therapy rooms.
Potter’s House (Fayetteville)
Potter’s House NWA is spreading joy to local families through gifts, dinner, and community love. You can help by donating, volunteering, or picking gifts from their wishlist to make the season brighter for those in need.
7hills Homeless Center
7hills serves people across Washington and Benton counties who are facing homelessness. Donations of warm coats, gloves, blankets, and socks are especially helpful this time of year.
Church Programs & Nurseries
Many local churches host seasonal toy drives or have “closets” where single moms can shop for free. The House Church in Rogers, for example, organizes a holiday event for moms to pick out items for their kids and homes.
Animal Shelters & Boarding Facilities
Comforters, blankets, and sheets that aren’t in great shape for donation to families can still do a lot of good! Most animal shelters, boarding facilities and vet offices in NWA welcome these donations.
NWA Moms Toy/Clothing Exchange Facebook Group
If you’d like to give (or could use a little help this season), our NWA Moms Toy/Clothing Exchange Facebook group is a great place to start. It’s a community space where local parents can post requests for items they need or offer donations directly to other families. Check it out!
4. Host a Giving Party
If you already have friends or neighbors gathering for the holidays, add a giving element. Ask each guest to bring a donation item like toys, canned food, or winter gear, and take everything to a local drop-off spot the next day.
5. Volunteer Your Talents
You don’t have to give money to make a difference. Local organizations need help with everything from wrapping gifts to designing flyers or taking photos at events. If your kids are crafty, they can make cards for seniors or decorate donation boxes
We’re lucky to live in a community that shows up for one another. Whether you’re dropping off canned goods, wrapping gifts, or simply teaching your kids to give joyfully, every act of kindness matters.
Happy holidays!