2025 might be over, but we’re not done celebrating the season of giving! From a coat drive organized by one of our former Stein Fellows to all the donations for our Holiday Food & Gift Drive, we appreciate everyone who has helped make the holiday season more cheerful for local families in need.

Nearly 40% of households in Northeast Florida struggle to make ends meet every day. During the holidays, that strain often grows, stretching already tight budgets and making meals and gifts harder to manage. That’s why United Way of Northeast Florida hosts the Holiday Food & Gift Drive towards the end of the year. Through the Full Service Schools network — a collective impact initiative that helps families access health and social services — we identify families facing hardship to ensure support is given where it’s needed most.

Through the generosity of individuals, groups and organizations that hosted food drives, more than 20 families received a full Thanksgiving meal this Thanksgiving, with special thanks to the following company partners:

• Ennis, Pellum & Associates
• Florida Blue
• Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.
• Mayo Clinic
• Smith Hulsey & Busey
• Other community volunteers

Community volunteers dropping off their collected items.

Holiday gifts are about more than presents—they help children feel seen, celebrated and included. Through the Holiday Food & Gift Drive, our community came together over November and December to support more than 140 families and 400 children, providing requested gifts and food items for complete holiday meals. When additional families were identified after the official deadline, the community stepped up once again, raising over $1,000 in gift cards to ensure they were also supported. A special thank you to the individuals and groups who made this possible, including the following companies:

• Bank of America
• CSX
• Deutsche Bank
• Florida Blue
• Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.
• Mayo Clinic
• NAMI
• Regions Bank
• Smith Hulsey & Busey
• TD Bank
• Wounded Warrior Project
• Other community volunteers

In addition to our annual Holiday Food & Gift Drive, members of our community went above and beyond by collecting warm clothing and essential items for those in need — recognizing that not everyone has access to warmth as the colder months approach.

Students and school staff at San Mateo Elementary School collected over 600 pairs of socks to benefit Full Service Schools. These socks will stock the sites that offer a free closing closet for students in need of a pair. 

Catherine Kendall — a Class of 2025 Stein Fellow, Atlantic Circle member and Women United member — organized a coat drive through her church, Bridge City Church in St. John’s County. Together, they collected 140 coats and jackets to also benefit the Full Service Schools clothing closets.

Thank you to everyone who gave so generously this season to support local families and help make their holidays brighter. Want to help us continue making an impact? You can shop the Full Service Schools’ Amazon wish list or donate to the Stock the Pantry effort. You can also sign up to volunteer Jan. 17 for MLK Day of Service to help us build a community of opportunity for all.