Holiday Baskets Brings Joy to Our Neighbors in Need

CRC’s Holiday Baskets program has been spreading joy and hope for 42 years, providing relief to households facing financial stress during the holiday season. Thanks to the generosity of our compassionate community, families can celebrate the season while focusing on essential needs like rent and utilities.

This year, the 42nd Annual Holiday Baskets program included:

Holiday Shopping Experience: A “dignity of choice” opportunity for CRC clients to select gifts and essentials for their families.
Holiday Backpacks Program: Backpacks to fill with necessities and comfort items for unsheltered individuals and coffee and breakfast items served by caring volunteers.
Senior Gifts: Thoughtful packages delivered to bring care and joy to local seniors.

The success of Holiday Baskets would not be possible without the incredible support of donors, volunteers, and community partners. Thank you for helping us make the holidays brighter for so many neighbors in need. Get a glimpse of this year’s program through the photos below.

2024 Holiday Baskets participants shared:
“It means we matter to this wonderful organization, the donors and volunteers. It makes our holiday so much better.”
“Holiday Baskets means community, the feeling of not being alone.”
“I am very grateful for the help and I’m never going to forget it.”

Holiday Baskets Shopping Experience

CRC clients had a “dignity of choice” shopping experience, where they were able to select most needed and wanted items at a local store. In addition, they received a voucher for gently-used items at CRC’s resale stores, new blankets, fresh produce, personal care items and more from event resource partners.

Here are just a few photos of your kindness in action. Holiday Baskets brought joy to hundreds of households, with a dignified holiday shopping experience, heartwarming gifts for seniors, and essentials, coffee and breakfast for individuals experiencing homelessness.

Holiday Backpacks for Unsheltered Individuals

Individuals experiencing homelessness received backpacks to fill with essentials for the season at our Carlsbad and Encinitas offices. They also enjoyed receiving coffee, breakfast and warm smiles from our staff and volunteers.