How to Give Back in Aberdeen, MD This Holiday Season (2026)

Published Oct. 30, 2026 | Last updated: Oct. 30, 2026

Want to give back in Aberdeen this holiday season? Drop a new toy at the Aberdeen Library for the Empty Stocking Fund. Call one of Aberdeen's church pantries and ask what they need. Or order supplies for Harford Family House online and they ship straight to the shelter.

Aberdeen has a lot of church and community pantries. Here's where to give, with 2026 dates only where the group has posted them.

This is part of my county guide, How to Give Back in Harford County This Holiday Season.

Aberdeen Food Pantries

These come from HCAA's October 2026 pantry list. Call first and ask what they're low on before you drop off.

The county's main food bank is the Harford Community Action Agency in Edgewood. It takes food Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Top needs include pasta, peanut butter, canned soup, cereal, diapers and toiletries.

Thanksgiving Meals

Community Projects of Havre de Grace runs a Community Thanksgiving Dinner. Its own Thanksgiving Dinner page doesn't list 2026 details yet, like the date, how to sign up for a meal or volunteer times. Check back on its Thanksgiving Dinner page before you plan on it.

Toy Drop-Offs in Aberdeen

The Empty Stocking Fund helps Harford families at the holidays with toys, food and clothing. Its Aberdeen drop spots are:

• Aberdeen Library, 21 Franklin St.
• Harco-co Credit Union, 1028 Middelton Rd.

Confirm before you go. Breathe 379 says its 2026 drop zones are coming soon. Check back on their site. Same for Toys for Tots Harford and the Salvation Army Angel Tree.

Give to People Without a Home

Harford Family House runs a supply drive all November at 50+ spots around the county. They want non-perishable food, paper products and plasticware. You can also order from their online gift drive. Their Homegrown Hope giving day is Thu., Nov. 19.

My Take

Aberdeen has seven pantries on HCAA’s list. A bag of groceries dropped at one of them helps a family right in your neighborhood.

Thinking about living in Aberdeen? See my Aberdeen town page and the Aberdeen Proving Ground page. For more holiday ideas, see my 2026 Harford County holiday hub.

More giving guides:

• Bel Air
• Havre de Grace
• Abingdon
• Edgewood and Joppa
• Fallston
• Forest Hill
• Jarrettsville, Street and Northern Harford

FAQ

Where can I donate food in Aberdeen, MD?

HCAA's October 2026 pantry list includes Epicenter Aberdeen, Grace United Methodist, Grove Presbyterian, St. Joan of Arc, St. Paul's Lutheran and Mt. Zion Baptist CHOSEN CDC. Call first to ask what they need.

Where can I drop off toys in Aberdeen?

The Empty Stocking Fund lists the Aberdeen Library at 21 Franklin St. and Harco-co Credit Union at 1028 Middelton Rd. Confirm before you go.

Is there a 24/7 pantry in Aberdeen?

HCAA's list shows a 24/7 self-serve pantry at the Boys and Girls Club, 15 S. Parke St., Aberdeen.

How can I volunteer in Aberdeen this holiday season?

Sign up to help at the Harford Community Action Agency food bank in Edgewood. It needs help loading donations, stocking shelves and handing out food.

About the author: Josh Tessier is a Harford County REALTOR® with the Lee Tessier Team at eXp Realty, based in Bel Air. He has 16+ years in real estate and has sold 600+ homes personally (5,900+ for the Lee Tessier Team). He lives in Harford County and is raising his family here. Call or text (443) 617-2099.

Watch more on my YouTube channel, Josh Talks Harford, and follow along on Facebook and Instagram.

Header photo: “Grove Presbyterian Church, Aberdeen, Maryland (2023)” by Engineerchange, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped, with text added.

Sources

Checked Oct. 30, 2026.

1. Harford Community Action Agency, Harford County Food Pantries, October 2026 (PDF) (pantry names, addresses, phones)
2. Harford Community Action Agency, Food Pantry (address, phone, hours, wish list, volunteer tasks) (host)
3. Harford Community Action Agency, Volunteers Needed (host)
4. Community Projects of Havre de Grace, Thanksgiving Dinner (host; no 2026 details posted)
5. Empty Stocking Fund, home page (host)
6. Empty Stocking Fund, Drop Locations (host)
7. Breathe 379, Christmas with Breathe (2026 toy drive dates and wish list) (host)
8. Toys for Tots Harford County (host; would not load for me)
9. Salvation Army of Central Maryland, Angel Tree Program (Havre de Grace address) (host)
10. Harford Family House, Homelessness Awareness Month (host)
11. Harford Family House online gift drive (GiftDrive)
12. Josh Tessier, about