As the holiday season approaches, toy drives and giveaways of winter coats and Thanksgiving dinners are ramping up in southwestern Pennsylvania.
Winter Coat Giveaway
The Pittsburgh Fire Fighters Foundation’s Coats for Kids giveaway will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 14 at the organization’s Local No. 1 Union Hall, located at 120 Flowers Avenue in Pittsburgh.
Coats will be given away for children in kindergarten through fifth grade while supplies last. Children must be present to receive the coats.
Thanksgiving Dinner Giveaway
The Rankin Christian Center, located at 230 Third Avenue in Rankin, is providing Thanksgiving dinners starting at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 17 while supplies last. The dinner giveaway is being held in conjunction with Walmart.
Play It Forward Pittsburgh
Play It Forward Pittsburgh collects gently used toys and provides them free to families who are having a tough time or are in need.
Its free box pick-up event will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, December 11 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, located 1000 Ft. Duquesne Boulevard in Pittsburgh.
Families who wish to participate must sign up on the Play It Forward Pittsburgh page. The link to register opens on Monday, November 16.
Toys for Tots
The 2026 Greater Pittsburgh Toys for Tots has opened its applications for nonprofits, churches, schools, and community organizations that are requesting toys on behalf of the children and families they serve. Visitors to the Toys for Tots website can also request a toy, donate online, or donate a toy.
Toys for Tots will also operate toy drives this season in several regional locations:
The Beaver County and Northwestern Allegheny County Toys for Tots will collect gifts through December to distribute to children.
Washington County’s Toys for Tots will hold registration events on four Saturdays on November 4, 11, 21, and 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Washington Financial Square Bank’s main lobby, located at 190 North Main Street in Washington.
Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program
The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program provides children and individuals with Thanksgiving and Christmas meals, winter coats, clothing, toys, and gifts. During designated dates, Salvation Army officers, case workers, or volunteers complete applications while interviewing applicants to assess their individual or household needs. Those served by the program include children from birth to age 13. The Salvation Army’s website allows visitors to make a monetary donation or shop its Amazon registry for gifts to donate.
Other Holiday Drives
Some other local holiday drives in southwestern Pennsylvania include: