Find ways to give locally this holiday season | 2023
HAMPTON ROADS, Va. (WAVY) – This holiday season, find places to donate food or toys to families in our community.
Pay it forward this holiday season by donating food to your local food bank
If you know of additional events to add to this list, please email us with the specifics.
Virginia
27th Annual Mayflower Marathon
When: November 17-19, 2023. Times dependent on location.
What: Help local foodbanks throughout Hampton Roads through monetary or food donations. Donations benefit the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank, the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, and the Foodbank of the Albemarle. Recommended donations, include: Turkeys, hams, traditional sides, fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean canned protein. View the full list at the link here.
Where: You can make donations in-person at the five locations, below. Click here to view more information including hours of operation at each location.
Hampton: Kroger at Coliseum Central, 1050 W. Mercury Blvd.
Virginia Beach: Lynnhaven Mall, 701 Lynnhaven Pkwy.
Yorktown: Kroger, 5007 Victory Blvd.
Suffolk: Kroger, 1017 University Blvd.
Moyock: Moyock Welcome Center, 106 Caratoke Hwy.
27th Annual Mayflower Marathon Food and Fund Drive begins Nov. 17
Coats for Families
When: Through December 31. Click here to see drop-offs with the WAVY team.
What: Coats for Families collects new and like-new coats for all ages and sizes. Donations are welcome at drop-off locations and events.
Where: Click here to find full list of drop-off locations around Hampton Roads.
United Way Holiday Extravaganza
When: This holiday season 2023.
What: Drop off donations of winter clothes, hygiene products, and nonperishable food for this winter giving event.
Where: At these RnR Tire Express locations, below:
Chesapeake, 1420-L Battlefield Blvd. Chesapeake, Virginia 23320
Norfolk, 818 B East Little Creek Rd. Norfolk, Virginia 23518
Virginia Beach, 623 First Colonial Rd. Virginia Beach, Virginia 23421
Suffolk,1100 N. Main St. Suffolk, Virginia 23434
Gloucester
Gloucester County Sheriff’s Office Toys For Tots
When: Donations welcome through December 11
What: The Gloucester County Sheriff’s Office is participating in the Toys for Tots program. Toys for Tots collects and gives out toys for children during the holiday season that are less fortunate. Toys should be new, in original packaging and unwrapped.
Where: Lobby of the Gloucester County Sheriff’s Office, 7502 Justice Dr
Newport News
The Andrew Shannon FEEDING 5000 Thanksgiving Harvest and Community Celebration
When: Saturday, November 18, from noon to 2:30 p.m. or until supplies last
What: For 23 years the annual event has helped those in need.
Where: New Beech Grove Baptist Church, 361 Beechmont Drive
FEEDING 5000 community celebration in Newport News
Norfolk
Holiday Bake Sale & Toys for Tots
When: Sunday, November 19 from 1-4 p.m.
What: At this holiday event, buy treats from East Beach Circle Bakers this holiday season. Complimentary hot chocolate and cookies from Stroll East Beach magazine will be on-site. Bring a new unwrapped toy or monetary donation for the Toys for Tots program. Kids can also take photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Where: 4550 E Beach Drive
Armed Forces Brewing Company Teams Up With Patriot’s Pantry
When: Now until December 13, military families can apply to receive an Operation Holiday Joy box, complete with holiday sides and either a turkey or a ham. Military families must register in advance at this link. The distribution event will take place at Armed Forces Brewing Company (AFBC) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on December 20, 2023.
What: Armed Forces Brewing Company proudly announces its partnership with Hampton Roads
Armed Services YMCA, the Norfolk Admirals, and 106.1 Country in support of Operation Holiday Joy, an initiative to provide holiday meals to military families facing food insecurity in Hampton Roads.
Where: Armed Forces Brewing, 211 W 24th St, Norfolk, VA 23517
More information: The public is encouraged to contribute by dropping off food donations at Hampton Roads Armed Services YMCA Monday to Friday at their headquarters, 1465 Lakeside Road in Virginia Beach, VA, until December 15, 2023. The following donations are requested: Boxed mashed potatoes, boxed stuffing, boxed brownie mix, canned corn, canned green beans, canned cranberry sauce, gravy, mac and cheese. Food donations can also be brought to the November 17 and December 8 Norfolk Admirals’ games at Norfolk Scope.
Portsmouth
Dorian Finney-Smith Annual Turkey Drive
When: Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
What: On Saturday, Nov. 18, Portsmouth native Dorian Finney-Smith and The
Finney Family First Foundation will be hosting a turkey drive for the fourth year.
150 families in the Portsmouth area will receive turkeys along with other
Thanksgiving groceries on-site.
Where: I.C. Norcom High School, 1801 London Blvd., Portsmouth, Va. 23704
More information: Dorian will not be on-site due to his conflicting NBA schedule, but members of his family will be in attendance.
Virginia Beach
Salt Church of Virginia Beach Turkey Drop and Fall Fest
When: Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023 at 10 a.m.
What: Salt Church of Virginia Beach is Partnering with Dave’s BBQ to hold its annual Turkey Drop and Fall Fest outside of the Beach Cinema and Alehouse on Sunday, November 19, immediately after the 10 a.m. Worship service. Salt Church asks the community to donate frozen turkeys each year during its Turkey Drop, an event that benefits the Union Mission in Norfolk. Their goal this year is to donate at least 250 frozen turkeys. The Turkey Drop will happen in conjunction with Salt Church’s Fall Fest, a family-friendly event that will feature games, a bounce house for kids, catered food from Dave’s BBQ, face painting, and fun for the whole family!
More information: Feel free to bring a frozen turkey or two to Salt Church’s service, 10 a.m. at Beach Cinema Alehouse on Sunday, November 19, and stay afterward for a fun fall event for all ages!
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