UPDATE: How to give to those in need in Modesto region. Also, how to receive
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Community groups list multiple donation drives and holiday meals across Modesto.
- Organizations accept cash, checks, frozen turkeys, toys, clothing and gift cards.
- Events run through December; contact listed groups.
Nov. 10 update: Escalon’s eTrans will have a Stuff This Bus food drive on Nov. 22. The food donated will benefit Escalon C.A.R.E. to help those in need for this holiday season. The event is at MarVal’s Main Street Market, 1900 McHenry Ave., from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The perishable and nonperishable food collected will be placed in the bus. Donors will receive a discount off their Mar-Val purchases during the event. For more on eTrans, call 209-541-6645 or visit www.cityofescalon.org.
Nov. 12 update: CalPride Stanislaus in Modesto will offer free community meals every Tuesday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., and Friday, 2–5 p.m., through November. No sign-up is needed. The week of the 24th, meal service will pause on Tuesday as the group hosts a Friendsgiving Celebration on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2–6 p.m. All are invited to the event at the CalPride Center, 111 Modesto Ave.
The group continues its Thanksgiving Food Drive through November. Community members are encouraged to drop off nonperishable items and pantry goods at the center.
Cal Pride also has a Sponsor a Community Meal program, where a $100 donation provides a full holiday meal for local community members and families in need. A $50 donation to the Send a Thanksgiving Dinner program will provide delivery of a meal to those who sign up for help.
Original story: The season for thanks and for giving is upon us. With it come many chances to help brighten the holidays for others in the Stanislaus County region.
There are several upcoming Modesto-area opportunities for donating and helping those in need from Thanksgiving to Christmas, as well as free holiday meals for the community.
This story will be updated on modbee.com as we learn of more, so businesses and organizations with something to share should email information to local@modbee.com with the subject line “Stanislaus holiday giving.”
Following are some of the upcoming Modesto-area opportunities:
Modesto City Schools’ Holiday Meal Drive, offered through the district’s Parent Engagement and Outreach Program, helps student families in need. Donations in any amount can be made, with checks payable to Modesto City Schools and mailed to Modesto City Schools/PEO Department, 500 Locust St., Room 10, Modesto 95351. Call 209-492-5083 for more information.
The accounting and consulting firm Rea & Associates (now J Michale Haubert CPA PC) is holding its 13th annual Thanksgiving Turkey Drive through Nov. 26 to benefit the Modesto Gospel Mission. The firm looks to help feed at least 1,000 families this year. “Donations of any size are accepted by mail, phone or in person with cash, check or frozen turkeys,” according to a news release. Take donations weekdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed noon to 1 p.m.), to 1937 Coffee Road, Modesto. To donate by credit card, call 209-521-2727 and ask for Heidi or Deanna. Through Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, they will purchase turkeys at a volume discount.
The Sweet Potato Pie Company Cares Program seeks donations for its Luggage, Duffle Bag and Toy Drive to help youths transitioning through foster care in Stanislaus County. Items to donate include new luggage and duffle bags, diapers and wipes, toys, gift cards and clothes for boys and girls. Donations can be made through Dec. 14 at the Stanislaus County Veterans Service Center, 3500 Coffee Road, Modesto; or The Sweet Potato Pie Company Café, 2020 Coffee Road, Modesto (11:30 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays). www.facebook.com/thesweetpotatopiecocares.
The nonprofit Parent Resource Center is taking poinsettia preorders Nov. 1 through noon Nov. 24 for its annual fundraiser. Prices are $16 for regular-size plants, $35 for large poinsettias, all sourced from Duarte Nursery. Cases also are available with local area delivery. The poinsettias can be picked up Dec. 5 after noon at the PRC, 811 Fifth St., Modesto. To place orders, call 209-549-8193.
A Buddy Drive for Children in Need will be held by Cricket’s Hope and Vintage Faire Mall. Shop for and donate a plush toy at participating mall stores for children healing from trauma, served by Cricket’s Hope. A donation bin will be in the Center Court next to the Santa set from Nov. 7 to Dec. 24. www.shopvintagefairemall.com/Events/Details/578640.
The Salvation Army’s Coats for Kids Drive returns on Nov. 8 from 9 a.m. to noon, or while supplies last, at the Red Shield Community Center, 1649 Las Vegas St., Modesto. Children must be present to receive a coat. Volunteers will help children pick out their coats or jackets. For more, call the Salvation Army office at 209-538-7111.
The Central Valley Pickleball Club is helping the Coats for Kids Drive, above, with a Pickleball Funament at the Beyer High School courts. The entry fee is one coat donation for the Salvation Army drive. Currently, there is a waiting list to play in the Nov. 5 tournament, but anyone who would like to donate a coat can drop it by the courts between 8 and 11 a.m. Call 209-404-6105 by Nov. 1 to get on the waiting list to play.
The Stanislaus County Interfaith Council’s Celebrating Gratitude in Our Community event will be held Nov. 13. It features Modesto Mayor Sue Zwahlen and several other local dignitaries. A mixer will be held at 6 p.m., presentations celebrating gratitude begin at 7. Attendees are asked to take a donation of nonperishable food for the Food Initiative of Greater Stanislaus, or FIGS. The gathering will be at the Modesto Church of the Brethren, 2301 Woodland Ave. Cash donations can be made at figs.betterworld.org/campaigns/donate-food-initiative-today or by calling 209-572-3117.
The Light the World Giving Machine returns to Vintage Faire Mall on Nov. 21 with a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on the lower lever, near the G by Guess store. The charitable vending machines allow people to select items to donate to local and global nonprofits. It will be available at the mall through Dec. 12. www.shopvintagefairemall.com/Events/Details/578699.
The Sweet Potato Pie Company Cares Program will provide sleeping bags, blankets, toiletries, food gift cards and more to those in need on Nov. 22 at Modesto’s Graceada Park from 1-4 p.m. Donations are sought including blankets, socks, toiletries, sleeping bags and duffel bags. They can be dropped off at the Stanislaus County Veterans Service Center, 3500 Coffee Road, Modesto, or at The Sweet Potato Pie Company Café, 2020 Coffee Road, Modesto (11:30 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays). Call 209-808-9504.
Through eTrans, the city of Escalon will hold its “Stuff This Bus” food drive on Saturday, Nov. 22. Donations will benefit Escalon C.A.R.E. (Community Action Resources of Escalon) to help those in need this holiday season. The event is at Mar-Val’s Main Street Market, 1900 McHenry Ave. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. An eTrans bus will be parked in front of the store and volunteers will accept perishable and nonperishable food. For information on Escalon C.A.R.E., call 209-417-2048.
The Sweet Potato Pie Company Cares Program will work with the Center for Human Services Youth Navigation Program to provide gifts for those ages 5 to 18 for the holiday season. Donations can be dropped off from at the Stanislaus Veterans Service Office, 3500 Coffee Road, Modesto; or at The Sweet Potato Pie Company, 2020 Coffee Road, Modesto (11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays). 209-808-9504.
For the 41st year, the Community Christmas Tree will go up at Modesto’s Vintage Faire Mall. It will be open Nov. 28 through Dec. 18, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. The tree on the mall’s upper level bears tags, each with a child’s name, age, clothing/shoe sizes and a Christmas wish. Select a tag, shop for the child, and return the unwrapped gift to the mall kiosk. The tree is sponsored by Soroptimist International of Modesto and Modesto Sunrise Rotary, in partnership with KHOP 95.1FM and Vintage Faire Mall. For general information and to volunteer, go to www.shopvintagefairemall.com/Events/Details/576401.
Food, meals also offered
A Thanksgiving dinner sponsored by Ceres Rotary will be held at 5 p.m. Nov. 21 at The Salvation Army Red Shield Community Center, 1649 Las Vegas St., Modesto. It’s a dine-in meal only, no food to go. Call 209-538-7111.
The West Modesto Community Collaborative, the Food Initiative of Greater Stanislaus and Valley First Credit Union will distribute food to those in need on Nov. 24 beginning at 9 a.m., until food runs out. They anticipate serving 300 families, first come, first served, at 529 California Ave., Modesto. Call 209-522-6902.
Thanksgiving at the Mission, held Nov. 26, the day before Thanksgiving, will be celebrated at Modesto Gospel Mission, 1400 Yosemite Blvd., from 2-4:30 p.m. The mission plans a traditional holiday meal for men, women and children. Guests in attendance also will be given free winter wear, including coats, sweaters, hats, gloves and scarves. Call 209-529-8259.
The annual Thanks-4-Giving meal will be presented by The Salvation Army in Modesto along with the Costa family at Modesto Centre Plaza’s Harvest Hall, 1001 K St., from 1-2 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27. Call 209-522-3209.
A Salvation Army Christmas dinner, sponsored by Teichert Construction, will be held Dec. 5 at 5 p.m. at the Red Shield Community Center, 1649 Las Vegas St., Modesto. Food pickup is drive-thu only, with up to four boxes of food per vehicle. Call 209-538-7111.
The Sweet Potato Pie Company Cares Program’s Holiday Giving Tree benefits youths age 14 to 17 who are in need and away from their families during this holiday season. A Holiday Cheer Party will be held Dec. 13 for the youths at the Youth Navigation Center in Modesto and will include barbers and hairstylist, toiletries, a meal and more. Call 209-808-9504.
This story was originally published October 31, 2025 at 10:30 AM.
