How to Give Back in Harford County This Holiday Season (2026)

by Josh Tessier

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

Want to give back in Harford County this holiday season? Here's the short answer. Bring food to the Harford Community Action Agency food bank in Edgewood. Drop a new, unwrapped toy at your local library for the Empty Stocking Fund. And adopt a family through Mason-Dixon Community Services or Anna's House.

That's three easy ways to help. Below I've got the full list: food, Thanksgiving meals, toys, adopt-a-family, coats, volunteer spots and fundraisers. I only list dates when the group has posted them for 2026. If a group hasn't posted yet, I tell you to check back and link you right to them.

Find Giving Spots in Your Town

I made a giving guide for each part of the county. Pick yours:

Quick List: Where to Give in Harford County

Group	What they need	Where	2026 dates
Harford Community Action Agency	Food, diapers, toiletries, money	Edgewood	Weekdays, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Community Projects of Havre de Grace	Thanksgiving Dinner	Havre de Grace	Check back
Empty Stocking Fund	New, unwrapped toys, money	Libraries and shops countywide	See their site
Harford Family House	Food, paper goods, money	50+ spots countywide	All of November
Breathe 379	Toys, stockings, PJs	Edgewood	Delivery Day Dec. 13
Mason-Dixon Community Services	Adopt-a-family sponsors	Street	Call them
Toys for Tots Harford County	New, unwrapped toys	Countywide	Check back

Where to Donate Food

Harford Community Action Agency Food Bank (Edgewood)

Where: 1321-B Woodbridge Station Way, Edgewood, MD 21040 | Pantry phone: 410-612-9899 | Site: harfordcaa.org

This is the county's main food bank. You can drop off food during pantry hours, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Here's their wish list:

Pasta and pasta sauce
Peanut butter and jelly
Mac and cheese
Canned fruit, vegetables, soup and pasta
Family-size cereal and fruit juice
Instant mashed potatoes
Baby diapers and wipes
Shampoo, body wash, toothpaste and feminine products

Short on time? Give money instead. HCAA says every $1 helps provide 5 meals, because they buy food in bulk.

Harford County Government Thanksgiving Food Drive

Harford County runs a Thanksgiving food drive that collects at county buildings for the HCAA food bank. The 2026 dates aren't posted yet. Check back on the county's food drive page.

Local Food Pantries

Harford County has dozens of church and community pantries. HCAA keeps a monthly list of food pantries with addresses and phone numbers. If you want to give to one near you, call first and ask what they're low on. My town guides list the pantries in each area.

Thanksgiving Meals

Community Thanksgiving Dinner (Havre de Grace)

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 Drives

Empty Stocking Fund

The Empty Stocking Fund is a Harford County nonprofit run by unpaid volunteers. It helps local families at the holidays with toys, food and clothing.

Drop a new, unwrapped toy, game or craft item at any of its drop-off spots. The list includes Harford County Public Library branches like Aberdeen, Abingdon, Bel Air, Edgewood, Fallston, Havre de Grace, Jarrettsville and Joppa. It also has banks, shops and restaurants across the county. Confirm before you go.

You can also mail a check to The Empty Stocking Fund, P.O. Box 189, Bel Air, MD 21014. Questions? Call 410-836-8870.

Toys for Tots Harford County

The Marine Corps Toys for Tots program has its own Harford County campaign. The 2026 drop-off list isn't something I could confirm yet. Check back on the Harford Toys for Tots site for drop-off spots near you.

Breathe 379 Toy Drive (Edgewood)

Breathe 379 has posted its 2026 toy drive. The wrapping party is Dec. 12, and Delivery Day is Dec. 13. Here's what they want:

A new toy or gift for a child, from babies up to age 17
A new red 18-inch stocking
New stocking stuffers
A new set of PJs, sizes infant to XXXL

Their 2026 drop zones aren't posted yet. Check back on their site.

Salvation Army Angel Tree

The Salvation Army of Havre de Grace is at 300 Rear Seneca Ave. It runs an Angel Tree program at the holidays. The 2026 details aren't posted yet. Check back on the Angel Tree page.

Adopt a Family

Want to make one family's whole Christmas? These groups match you with a family and a wish list:

Mason-Dixon Community Services, Street: Local groups and people "adopt" families with kids 18 and under. They give a holiday meal and gifts. They also run a Senior Secret Santa for low-income seniors. Call 410-452-9025.
Anna's House, Catholic Charities: Their 2026 Adopt-a-Family program is open. They match you with a family and send the wish list. You can also give gift cards or help wrap. Call (667) 600-2843.

Coats and Warm Clothes

I didn't find a countywide coat drive posted for 2026 yet. The Immanuel Quickley Foundation coat drive in Havre de Grace already happened on Oct. 17. For now, Breathe 379 in Edgewood runs a clothing closet called The Cabin. Reach out and ask what sizes they need. I'll add coat drives as groups post them.

Help People Without a Home

Harford Family House is the largest shelter provider in Harford County. November is Homelessness Awareness Month, and here's how you can help:

Supply drive, all November: Drop off non-perishable food, paper products and plasticware at one of 50+ spots around the county.
Shop online: Order from their online gift drive and it ships right to them.
Giving day, Thu., Nov. 19: Homegrown Hope is a full day of giving. The celebration runs 5 to 8 p.m. at Hopkins Farm Brewery, 3833 Rider Lane, Havre de Grace.

Places to Volunteer

Harford Community Action Agency: They need help loading donations, stocking shelves and handing out food. Sign up on HCAA’s volunteer page.
Harford Family House: Help with holiday events or organize their food pantry. See their volunteer page.
Breathe 379: Volunteer sign-up for the toy drive opens soon. Check back.

My Take

You don't need a lot of money to make a big difference here. One bag of groceries, one toy or one Thanksgiving morning goes a long way. Pick one thing on this list and do it this week.

Looking for more holiday fun? See my 2026 Harford County holiday hub, Thanksgiving turkey trots, where to see Santa and Christmas tree farms. You can find every post on my Harford County blog.

FAQ

Where can I donate food in Harford County for Thanksgiving?

The Harford Community Action Agency food bank at 1321-B Woodbridge Station Way in Edgewood takes food donations Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Its wish list includes pasta, peanut butter, canned soup, instant mashed potatoes, diapers and toiletries.

Where can I drop off toys in Harford County?

The Empty Stocking Fund lists drop-off spots on its site, including Harford County Public Library branches. Breathe 379 says its 2026 drop zones are coming soon. I couldn't confirm a 2026 Toys for Tots Harford County list, so check its site.

Where can I volunteer in Harford County this holiday season?

The Harford Community Action Agency food bank in Edgewood needs help loading donations, stocking shelves and handing out food. Harford Family House needs help with holiday events and its food pantry.

How do I adopt a family for Christmas in Harford County?

Mason-Dixon Community Services in Street and Anna's House through Catholic Charities both run holiday adopt-a-family programs. Each one matches you with a family and a wish list.

What is the best way to give if I'm short on time?

Give money online. The Harford Community Action Agency says every $1 helps provide 5 meals, and Harford Family House has an online gift drive that ships supplies straight to the shelter.

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.