Hope for the Holidays

The Dickson County Help Center's "Hope for the Holidays" program was created to spread joy and alleviate the financial burden many experience during the holiday season. As Thanksgiving approaches, our team, volunteers, and community partners come together to distribute turkeys and side dishes to ensure local families enjoy a hearty and traditional meal.

In December, the focus our shift to providing for the community's children with the Christmas Store Toy Giveaway. Parents and guardians are invited to 'shop' for new, unwrapped toys for their children, ensuring every child experiences the magic of the holiday season. The Help Center is committed to ensuring that no family in need is overlooked and that every child has a reason to celebrate the Holiday season.

The Big Turkey Giveaway

Every year on the Monday before Thanksgiving, the Dickson County Help Center hosts the "Big Turkey Giveaway." This special event, operating similarly to our mobile food pantries, provides nearly 1,200 families with a whole turkey and all the traditional Thanksgiving sides.


Additionally, our partners at Topless in Tennessee Jeep Club generously deep fry turkeys onsite for families requiring cooking assistance, ensuring everyone can enjoy a warm, festive meal. This effort not only cultivates community spirit but also guarantees that no families go without a Thanksgiving day feast.

Christmas Store Toy Giveaway

The Dickson County Help Center's Christmas Store Toy Giveaway brings joy to children and relief to parents during the holiday season. Generous donations of new, unwrapped toys from individuals, businesses, and organizations ensure struggling families can provide a festive Christmas for their children. After pre-qualification, parents and caregivers visit the store to select gifts they know their children will love. This approach empowers families and helps parents avoid the financial strain of holiday shopping, allowing them to focus on essential bills without sacrificing Christmas joy for their kids.


To participate, families must provide proof of income, residency, and documentation showing the children are in their care. The program supports Dickson County families who are not receiving assistance from other gift programs like Angel Tree. In addition to selecting gifts, the Help Center offers wrapping services or supplies, ensuring every child experiences the magic of Christmas morning.

Donate to Kringle's Kids

Common Questions

See some common questions and answers below, or call us at (615) 441-0076. 

  • When and where is the Big Turkey Giveaway held?

    The Big Turkey Giveaway starts the Monday before Thanksgiving from 9 am to 4 pm at the Dickson County Family YMCA. It continues through Tuesday from 9 am to 4 pm or until supplies run out.

  • How do I receive assistance at the Big Turkey Giveaway?

    Participants may line up in their cars after 9 am at the Dickson County Family YMCA's parking lot. To receive a turkey and a bag of fixings, you must be present with proof of address and be a resident of Dickson County.

  • What food items do we receive at the Big Turkey Giveaway?

    Each household will receive a 10-12 lb. turkey, stuffing, gravy (can or powder), green beans (14 oz can), potatoes (instant or bag), corn (14 oz can), mac 'n cheese, cranberry sauce, Jiffy Mix, and dessert/cake mix with icing.

  • How can I donate to the Big Turkey Giveaway?

    Food and turkey donations can be dropped off at the Help Center on Saturday between 9 am and 3 pm or at the Dickson County Family YMCA on Monday or Tuesday between 9 am and 3 pm. We are also happy to receive financial contributions. Cash or checks may be brought to the Help Center at 103 W College Street, Dickson, TN, until 2 pm. Please be sure to include "Turkey Giveaway" in the memo. Donations can also be made online through our donation page.

  • Can I volunteer to help with the Big Turkey Giveaway?

    Yes, volunteers are needed. Interested individuals may contact our Client Services, Pam Edmond, at 615-441-0076 for more information.

  • Who is eligible to participate in the Christmas Store Toy Giveaway?

    Families in Dickson County with children living in the home can participate in this program. Parents and caregivers must provide proof of residency and documentation to confirm that each registered child is under their care (such as birth certificates, school report cards, or government documents) to qualify.

  • How can I apply for the Christmas Store Toy Giveaway?

    We've designed the application process to be as convenient as possible for interested families. You can apply by calling between 2-4 pm, Monday through Thursday, to complete an application over the phone. Alternatively, you can visit our location between 9 am and 4 pm, Monday through Saturday, to pick up an application, fill it out, and return it to our Christmas Mailbox. A staff member will then contact you for a review. We start accepting applications over the phone from the Monday after Thanksgiving until the Thursday before Christmas week, between 2-4 pm.


    We also encourage children to drop their letters to Santa in our box! Although it does not guarantee any specific item requests, it helps us determine popular items for the Holiday season.

  • How are toys distributed to families through the Christmas Store?

    Our Christmas Store allows parents and caregivers to pick out items their kids will like. Parents go through our "Toy Store" at the Dickson County Family YMCA with volunteers and choose two new toys and one "wow gift" for each child. They can also select stocking stuffers and smaller items for each child. Parents can then have the gifts wrapped by volunteers or take wrapping paper home.

  • What types of donations are accepted for the Christmas Store, and when can I drop them off?

    We accept new, unwrapped toys for children up to 18. Donors can deliver items to the Dickson County Family YMCA at 225 Henslee Drive, Dickson, TN 37055. Financial contributions in the form of cash or check can be brought to the Help Center at 103 W College Street, Dickson, TN 37055, until 2 pm. Be sure to include "Christmas Store" in the memo. Donations can also be made online through our donation page.


    You may access a list of suggested items HERE.

  • Can I volunteer to help with the Christmas Store Toy Giveaway?

    Yes, we often need volunteers to help with both events. Volunteers can assist with organizing toys, assisting parents during the selection process, and wrapping gifts for the Christmas Store Toy Giveaway. Because Christmas Store volunteers work directly with our clients, you must contact Pam Edmond, our director of Client Services, to apply to volunteer.