Holiday Giving Program
Holiday Giving Program: A Season of Community Support
This season, Arlington’s Department of Human Services (DHS) invites the public to make a lasting impact by providing support for neighbors who need it most. Rising food costs and uncertainty around public benefits mean many Arlingtonians are facing tough choices. Your generosity can help bridge the gap and spread cheer during the holiday season and beyond.
Who It Helps
Your support benefits Arlingtonians who need it most:
- Older adults living on fixed incomes
- People with disabilities and different abilities
- Children and families
- Individuals receiving behavioral health services
- Low-income households across Arlington
These gift cards help with groceries, clothing, household essentials, and more — not just during the holidays, but throughout the year.
How It Works
Donations from the community allow DHS to provide essential resources by way of gift cards and other supports through our case managers to more than 1,000 individuals in the community during the holiday season and throughout the year. Our program empowers recipients with choice and dignity. It allows families and individuals to shop for and identify what they truly need — whether that’s food, clothing, or a special gift for a child.
Every gift counts, and together, all gifts add up to real impact for Arlington neighbors.
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Checks Welcome: Make checks payable to “Arlington County Treasurer – HGP” and mail to:
Holiday Giving Program
Department of Human Services
c/o Destiny Esper
2100 Washington Blvd., 4th Floor
Arlington, VA 22204
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Gift Cards Accepted: If you have unused gift cards or prefer to buy them, we gladly accept those, too! The most helpful cards include grocery stores (Giant, Safeway, Aldi, Amazon Fresh, local markets, etc.), Target, Walmart, local drugstores, and discount department stores. Gift cards in the amounts of $25 or $50 are most helpful and allow us to meet diverse community needs. If you donate gift cards, please include the amount of each if not printed on the card. Gift cards can be dropped off or mailed to the address above.
Additional information:
- You may designate cards, checks, or donations to a particular beneficiary group (see “Who It Helps” section) or leave undesignated. Undesignated gift cards are especially appreciated and will be used where they’re needed most.
- Please include a return address so we can acknowledge your gift and send a receipt.
- Please submit cards/checks by Wed, Dec. 24. Monetary donations are accepted year-round.
- Questions? Email Destiny Esper, Department of Human Services Director of Communications, at desper@arlingtonva.us.
We appreciate all donations, but some cards (e.g., Starbucks, Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works) are less practical for meeting essential needs.
Make It a Group Effort
Individuals, faith-based organizations and groups, schools, neighborhoods, apartment buildings, sports teams, and offices have all participated in the past. Organizing a group donation is a great seasonal project that brings people together for a meaningful cause.
Why Gift Cards?
Gift cards empower recipients with choice and dignity. They allow families and individuals to shop for what they truly need — whether that’s food, clothing, or a special gift for a child.