Holiday Food and Toy Resources 2025

Noble Elementary wants to ensure that all our families have access to food and toy resources for the upcoming holiday season. Currently, our school community includes more than 230 families, and we understand that this time of year can bring both joy and challenges.

Through Every Meal, we are able to send food home with students each Friday. This program provides meals for the weekends, and offers options that respect various cultural, dietary, and situational needs and preferences.

If you would like your student to participate in the Every Meal program, please contact us by calling 763-504-4000 or emailing noe-intake@rdale.org to sign up.

In addition, below you’ll find other community organizations that provide food and toy assistance for families during the holiday season. We encourage you to explore these resources if your family could use some extra support.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help in any way we can.

Warmly,
The Noble Elementary Team

NEAR Food Shelf

5209 W Broadway, Crystal, MN 55429

Individuals or families may call (763) 533-2836 between 9:00am to 12:00pm (Noon) weekdays to schedule a same day appointment. Food pickup appointments are scheduled between 1:00pm to 4:20pm Monday- Friday. Clients are allowed to visit NEAR twice a month.

Monday - Friday 9:00 am-4:30 pm Office Hours

763-533-2836  |  Visit NEAR Food Shelf Website  |  Get Directions to NEAR Food Shelf

Food Shelf In-A-Box at The Gathering

3620 43rd Ave N, Robbinsdale, MN 55422, USA

Primary contact: Pastor Tabi Horne, tabi@thegathering.com

4th Thursday of month from 4-6 pm

Visit Food Shelf In-A-Box at The Gathering Website  |  Get Directions to Food Shelf In-A-Box at The Gathering

 

Loaves & Fishes at Brunswick United Methodist Church

6122 North 42nd Avenue, Crystal, MN 55422

Grab and go meals

Service Location: Outside the main door on the back side of the building off the parking lot

Wednesday, 5:30 – 6:30 PM

Visit Loaves & Fishes at Brunswick United Methodist Church Website  |  Get Directions to Loaves & Fishes at Brunswick United Methodist Church

 

Serenity Village Community Church

4100 Douglas Dr N, Crystal, MN 55422, USA

Note: No boundaries, no identification needed at pick up, call ahead with name and family size, curb side pick-up

Schedule online at http://www.svcc.as.me

Fridays from 9:30am-2pm (appointment only)

763-533-3929  |  Visit Serenity Village Community Church Website  |  Get Directions to Serenity Village Community Church

Fare for All 

While it is not free food, this pop-up grocery store sells packs of fresh produce and frozen meat up to 40% off retail prices. Most boxes cost $10-$40, and have a generous amount of food in them. For more information check out the website. Note: this is a once a month event, the closest event being in New Hope: St Joseph Catholic Community on November 12 and December 10 from 3 pm to 5 pm.  

Twin Cities Toy Drive

This organization collects and distributes new, unwrapped toys to children in the Twin Cities metro area, including BIPOC families and those in need.Twin Cities Toy Drive Website Tip: Check their website for drop-off locations and registration for toy distribution as a recipient.

Emergency Foodshelf Network, Inc. (EFN) - thefoodgroupmn.org
○ The Emergency Foodshelf Network (EFN) provides free holiday meal baskets for winter holidays to families facing hunger. The program provides holiday-specific food packages to Twin Cities residents living below the federal poverty guidelines, and each package provides enough food to feed a family of at least eight people.

Toys for Tots - Home - Toys for Tots – Registration is by contacting one of the listed agencies on the link. Please choose the one closest to your home.
Website: https://minneapolis-mn.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/request-toys.aspx
Phone Number: 612-713-4827

North Side Blessings – Adopt A Family
Serves: Open to all families, adults without children, elderly, veterans, homeless, group home residents, people with special needs, etc., that want to be adopted
Registration:
Now until the program is full.
Visit Facebook website to register; must sign in to Google Forms to complete the application. Send an email to northsideblessings17@gmail.com with any questions or difficulties with registering.
No guarantee to be adopted. Only submit one request. If selected, family will receive an ID number. Must be open to direct contact. Must respond to adopters within 48 hours.
If in a domestic violence situation, can remain anonymous but must be verified.

Christmas with Dignity – REGISTRATION OPENS NOVEMBER 3rd, 2025.
Online registration only: Register Online before November 30th or until full. Shopping Day will be December 12th from 9 am to 6 pm.
Registration requirements: current, valid photo ID for parent/guardian that is registering the child/ren. *If address has changed, bring utility bill with new address. You must live in one of these zip codes to register: 55443, 55444, 55429, 55430, 55412, 55422 and 55411.

Fare for All Express
Phone: 763-450-3880.
Website: https://fareforall.thefoodgroupmn.org/.
Fresh groceries at discounted prices.

NEAR North-suburban Emergency Assistance Response - NEAR - Home (nearfoodshelf.org)
Phone: 763-533-2836
Website: http://www.nearfoodshelf.org/NEAR-Services.html
Address: 5209 W. Broadway Avenue, Crystal, MN 55429

Holiday Baskets & School Supplies
Thanksgiving and Christmas boxes of food are given. Toys, caps and mittens are also given out on the second Saturday in December at a separate location. They offer a holiday toy distribution for children aged newborn through grade 12 who live in Crystal, New Hope, or Robbinsdale. Registration is required- contact 763-533-2836 for information.
 

PRISM - 1220 Zane Ave N, Golden Valley Phone: 763-529-1350 Website: Celebrating Children at PRISM (prismmpls.org)Address: 1220 Zane Avenue N, Golden Valley, MN 55422Open to Residents of: Golden Valley, Robbinsdale, New Hope, Crystal, or Plymouth(east of 494)Shop for Change, also marketplace food shelf. Serve Golden Valley, New Hope, Robbinsdale, Crystal, Plymouth (east of 494) (763)-529-1350

CEAP – Holiday Program - 7051 Brooklyn Blvd, Brooklyn Center.Eligible to residents of Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park and East Champlin. Ages 18 and younger. You must be registered at the food shelf to participate in the children’s programs. Please register at 763-450-3670. Leave a message and someone will get back to you.•For the Food Shelf: Register online or call 763-566-9600; online registration is preferred; 9 am – 3:30 pm Monday – Friday to schedule a food shelf appointment•Description: Drive thru pick up; provides holiday food items in addition to regular food shelf items. Note: There is a considerable decline related to available holiday food items especially meat/protein.10.

United Way 2-1-1United Way receives information from organizations that are providing Holiday food, toys or gifts. Call 2-1-1, toll free at 800-543-7709 or 651-291-0211. You can also text your zip code to 898-211*. They will search for programs within your zip code.

St. Louis Park Emergency Program (STEP)Offers holiday food as part of their food program. Open to St. Louis Park residents. Register in person M-Th 1-2pm and Tu 6-7pm. If there are questions about registration, please call 952-925-4899.Toy Distribution Program In December, STEP provides new toys and Target gift cards to St. Louis Park Children

Twin Cities Salvation Army: Coats for Kids Website: https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/twin-cities/coats-for-kids/The Salvation Army’s centers are a place for families in crisis to get help, including coats for children. Visit any of the Twin Cities Worship & Service Centers to learn about meeting your child’s need for a coat.