Participate in our Holiday Drives

Help spread joy, one meal and one gift at a time.

Every year, Second Story brings our community together to make the holidays brighter for local youth and families in need. Through our annual food and toy drives, we ensure every family has a comforting meal on Thanksgiving and every child has a gift to open during the holidays.

These drives are wonderful opportunities for individuals, volunteer groups, families, friends, and colleagues to come together and share in the true spirit of the season—compassion, connection, and hope. A simple meal or small gift can mean the world to someone who might not have the opportunity to celebrate otherwise. And time after time, our volunteers tell us that giving back doesn’t just brighten others’ holidays—it makes their own season more meaningful too.

Choose the opportunity that’s best for you. It’s never too early to start. You’ll notice our flyers include due dates, but those are soft deadlines that allow us to manage the distribution process. We welcome contributions throughout November and December, up until the weekend before each holiday. For questions, contact our Volunteer and Outreach Manager.

Learn more about our holiday drives.

Need Help?

If you need help right away, our 24/7 hotline provides support and referrals to services in the Washington DC metro area.
Call 1-800-SAY-TEEN or text “TEENHELP” to 855-11

Your Impact

We make every dollar count. The direct support of young people, their families and their communities, is our first priority. Here are examples of how your donation may be used.

$20,000

  • Three high school students experiencing homelessness receive a full year of rental assistance and support services so they can remain in school and graduate with their class.

$1,000

  • One teenager receives a safe haven, warm bed, food, and round-the-clock support for five nights at Second Story for Teens in Crisis, or
  • Eight months of therapy for a young woman in the Second Story for Young Mothers program.

$500

  • One teen receives daily counseling during a three-week stay at Second Story for Teens in Crisis, or
  • Twenty counseling sessions for the children and teens who are at-risk and participating in our after-school programs.

$100

  • Three teens receive a therapy session at Second Story for Teens in Crisis, or
  • Two weeks of food for a young mother and her child at Second Story for Young Mothers.

Thank you for your support!