Goto www.christmasproviders.org

• Go to “Provider” panel – Sign-up
• Fill out registration form
• Enter your mobile verification code
• Scroll down and select New Request
• Specify preferences on # of families, # of children, School district, etc.
• Click on the SUBMIT button to submit your request

In general, we recommend budgeting $100 per child. but many spend closer to $150-$180 per child. This includes the child’s requested gifts, clothes, PJs, and special requests from the family such as sneakers or coat.

We advise each family to provide gift suggestions totaling approximately $50 per child. Do not feel obligated to buy expensive gifts that the family may ask you to buy; we audit the applications to remove high-end electronics (e.g., ipads, electric scooters, smart watches, and gaming consoles); however, occasionally the family will request these items when you begin having a direct conversation with them.

We ask our Providers not to spend excessively on the family’s gifts, as it may set a precedent for them to expect similar gifts in future years. The Provider assigned to that family next year may not be able to purchase at the same level.

If you have extra money to spend, please consider adopting another family or a larger family or making a donation to Christmas Providers to help cover the cost of the grocery gift cards we provide for each family.

There is no requirement to purchase gifts for the adults in the family; however, in our recent Provider survey, we found that more than 80% purchased gift(s) for the household or adults in the home. Purchases for the adult members of the household are at your discretion and are optional.

Gift idea: if you want to provide for the household: Buy a collection of household items such as paper towels, toilet paper, dishwashing liquid, zip lock bags, or laundry detergent and place in a laundry basket. In the past year, more extended families are living under one roof, with recent high school graduates remaining in the home. If you would like to buy gifts for them, please contact the family to determine greatest need. Remember, this is not required, nor expected by the family; our communication clearly states that the program is focused on serving the CHILDREN under 18 years old in the household.

Use these guidelines to determine the size of family you would like to adopt:  $100/child + $30 meat (1/family); optionally: $50 on household

Budget Guidelines:
One Family with 1 child: $130; with 2 children: $230; with 3 children: $330; with 4 children: $430; optionally add another $50/family for household goods 

If you have a group of people contributing, consider adopting more than one family if your budget allows, rather than spending all funds on ONE family. If your budget is tight, then opt for a smaller family or solicit help from family/friends.

Providers must purchase the holiday meat for each family. You should contact the family to confirm their preference. Families will typically request a ham or turkey, however they may have a very specific request (e.g. vegetarian, etc.), so it’s a good idea to contact them in advance of purchasing.

Other tips:
• Ask if the family has the ability to cook the meat. For example, if turkey is requested, do they have a roasting pan and oven? If they don’t have the ability to cook, then recommend a precooked ham that only requires heating or may be eaten at room temperature.
• Plan for ½ pound of meat per person in the family.

Send a text message to the family to let them know you are with Christmas Providers, and this will typically get a response. If you are not able to reach them via text, phone or email, contact Christmas Providers office at christmasproviders@gmail.com.

One useful tool for communicating with your adopted family without revealing your personal information is “Google Voice.” Enter your phone number so Google can forward calls/texts when people call/text/email you through your Google Phone number. You can find instructions at: https://christmasproviders.org/google-voice . NOTE: Christmas Providers is not able to provide technical support, so use at your own discretion.

Yes, Christmas Providers collaborates with the schools and other organizations on food drives to collect non-perishable foods (canned goods, peanut butter, jelly, rice, beans, soups, stuffing, breakfast cereal, desserts, etc.). We also provide a grocery store gift card for each family so they may buy perishables (eggs, milk, butter, etc.).

No, as a Provider, you are responsible for purchasing the holiday meat for the family. The Christmas Providers grocer gift card is for the family to use to purchase perishable items (e.g. milk, eggs, bread).

One person can pick up all food boxes and gift cards for the entire organization. Alternatively, each team or individual Provider from the adopting organization can pick up food boxes for their family. Please bring the Family application that contains the organization contact and the family name for verification during food pickup. If some food boxes are not picked up, the Provider listed on the Household Intake Sheet will be called.

The Provider is responsible for contacting the family to arrange delivery of everything at a mutually convenient time. The earliest time would be after you have picked up the box of food & gift card (see Provider Schedule for more information).

A couple of options exist if you are unable to pic up the food during the regularly schedule pick up days.

A. You may come to pick up the food earlier in the week (typically anytime after Monday afternoon, Tues. or Wed). We are busy packing during that time and are there until 8:pm.  Please send an email to ChristmasProviders@gmail.com indicating that you need an alternate date. You must arrange this in advance so we can make arrangements to have your family’s gift card for you.

B. You can send a substitute in your place to pick up the food. They will need to have the Provider’s name (i.e. your name) and the name of the family when he/she picks up the food.