Christmas is a wonderful time of year for spending time with family and friends, exchanging gifts and sharing food. It is also a great opportunity to invest some of your time or a little money into giving something to others who are less fortunate than yourself.
Please note we will update this list regularly and add any York charities for donation ideas as they announce their plans.
YorkMix has teamed up with York Designer Outlet & Asda at Monks Cross for the Toy Appeal 2024.
YorkMix are working together to help ensure that no child wakes up on Christmas Day without a gift.
YorkMix are asking people to donate a new & unwrapped toy at the YorkMix Toy Appeal between now and Sunday 15 of December 2024.
Collection points for the toys are Asda Monks Cross, Asda Layerthorpe York and “Santa’s workshop” located outside the South Entrance at York Designer Outlet.
From there, the toys will delivered by our elves & given to the children who need them most in our local area.
We collect gifts for children of all ages from babies and pre-schoolers who might receive traditional toys and games from the appeal through to teenagers for whom you might consider donating items such as health and beauty products.
ℹ️ Find out more on the York Mix website.
All gifts donated will be given to a number of local charities including Spirit of Christmas (Charity reg number: 1185011).
You can drop off new unwrapped toys until 5 January 2025. Gifts are being collected for children up to 16 years old.
The donation station is located with the Winter Woodland at the South Entrance.
ℹ️ Find out more here.
The Island are looking for donations of toys, toiletries, craft items or books for the young people of York this Christmas.
ℹ️ For more information email The Island [email protected]
(Registered Charity Number: 1120420)
ℹ️ Find out more here.
York Cares is an independent employee-volunteering charity, which brings businesses, employees and communities together to make York a better place.
Christmas is an important time for York Cares, and this year they are running much-loved Christmas Collection campaign! With over 4,000 items needed across 11 local charities, your help can make a real difference to people in need across the city.
These vital donations, including toiletries, warm clothing, food, toys, and gifts are delivered to organisations such as Door 84, Kyra, Refugee Action York, and more who work with a range of people across the city.
How can you help?
They are looking for organisations to coordinate collections within their organisations, to donate items from the wishlist, to act as collection points, or encourage colleagues, friends, family and everyone in their networks to get involved.
View the Christmas Wishlist 2024 and pledge items that you are going to donate. Information about all of the organisations we are collecting for and the collection deadlines can be found on the first tab. Download posters to put up in your organisation to advertise the Christmas Collection or to highlight a donation point.
Need some inspiration?
Last year employee-volunteers got creative and found an amazing way to encourage their colleagues to get involved in the Christmas Collection. The result was an incredible number of donations and a lovely way to bring colleagues together at Christmas. Read about Aviva’s Gift Wishing Tree on our blog.
ℹ️ Find out more information here. If you have any questions or can’t access the wishlist spreadsheet, contact Caitlin at [email protected].
(Registered Charity Number: 1111899)
The Collective Sharehouse is a local ‘give and take as you feel’ located at the back of Clements Hall on Cygnet Street, York off Nunnery Lane. It is open Tue & Fri 9.15 -11 am and Weds 5-6 pm. A local community who support and providing help for Micklegate ward residents in financial hardship.
See their Facebook page for an up to date list for what they require.
ℹ️ Find out more on The Collective Sharehouse Facebook page.
Did you know that 80% of all toys end up in landfill?! The Uniform Bank Team were pondering about this and wondered if we could start a pre-loved toy revolution! Building on the success of the Uniform Bank in the summer, we’ve decided to give a ‘Toy Bank’ a try.
Drop off your clean, unwanted toys/games/books in good condition then come and collect something else on SUNDAY 1st DEC 1-4pm.
Drop off dates/times – Monday Monkeys Playgroup 25th Nov 10am or at the Church on Thurs 28th November 2024 9.30am-4pm
Collect something new – Sunday 1st December 2024, 1-4pm
We’re keeping it simple – no complicated token or voucher system. Items have to something you are happy to donate. Then come and pick up something else a few days later. Items must be in condition you would be happy to receive yourself. We’re just trying to encourage people to give more preloved presents and to have a bit more of a sustainable Christmas. Keep an eye on our facebook page for more information.
This year Trilogy Toys are supporting RAY – Refugee Action York and providing prams, pushchairs, car seats and travel systems to those who are in need.
RAY support those that are looking for a new forever home having fled war, persecution, poor living conditions and so much more. Many have risked their lives to try and find refuge.
Trilogy Toys are looking to support over 200 children currently in temporary accommodation this year. These range from new born to 16 years old, both male and female. They need small gifts that could bring a smile to their faces this Christmas.
Small gifts are requested this year as their accommodation is small and it needs to be something that can be easily packed to take with them when they leave.
ℹ️ If you’d like to support this appeal, get in touch via Facebook or WhatsApp us on 01904900131.
ℹ️ Find out more information here.
The Clothing Bank are accepting donations of brand-new outfits and pyjamas, from newborn to adult sizes.
ℹ️ Find your nearest drop off point here.
(Registered Charity Number 1198400)
Order a personalised Letter from Santa from the North Pole straight to your door and feel good doing your part for children with a suggested £8 donation. Choose from 8 different designs, and make your letter special with your child’s name, hobbies, friends and more.
ℹ️ Visit the NSPCC website for more information and to order your letter.
(Registered Charity Number 216401)
York Food Bank want to make sure that no one in the local community has to go hungry. Your gift of financial support, time, business partnership and food can make a real difference. You can donate food at Waitrose (Foss Islands), Asda (Monks Cross), Tesco (Askam Bar), Foodbank Warehouse (Unit 5, Sterling Way, Clifton Moor). The York Food Bank website has a list of items required, so please check the list before you go shopping.
You can help by:
(Registered Charity Number 1154149)
For the last 5 years, Justine Whitelam has organised and distributed Christmas Presents and Hampers to local schools for families in need. She liaises with the schools and they provide her with the ages of children in need.
She has a list of who will gift a promise of a reverse hamper this year to be dropped off to me for 1st or 2nd December 2024. There is a list of ideas/items in her Facebook group.
ℹ️ Find out more about how to help on her Facebook group. Justine won the Community Pride Volunteer Award in 2020!
Raise York: Find out details of holiday activities with food here.
City of York Council: Find out about the York Fuel and Food Voucher Scheme here.
York Recycle Project: See their Facebook Group for up-to-date listings and prices of pre-loved Christmas supplies and decorations. Find out more information first here.
York Foodbank: Find out how to get help from York Foodbank here.
If you are looking for further information about how to save money in York, including details of second-hand shopping or support groups & advice or you can read our full Guide here.
Post updated 26 Nov 2024 – all details correct at time of publication.
