Holiday Programs 2022

It is the time of year for our annual Holiday Programs including, Thanksgiving Baskets, Adopt-A-Family, and The Giving Trees! Last year we had a record breaking number of donors and the amount of families gifted food and generous gifts for the holidays. Meriden and Wallingford families are continuing to struggle to afford basic necessities during this current state of the country’s economy. Our community needs YOU to help create positive memories this holiday season. Be the reason to make children and their parents smile! Below are all the details for each event.

Please do not hesitate to contact Julia Pelletier by e-mailing – jpelletier@unitedwaymw.org OR by calling (203) 235-4403 ext.1002  with questions.

Thank you to the Meriden Foundation for partially & generously funding these programs to support Meriden Residents!

Adopt-A-Family

Companies, groups, individuals, and families can “Adopt-A-Family” this holiday season by purchasing items from the family’s “Wish List” which further includes the ages, genders, and sizes of each family member to help with your shopping. Each list includes various clothing, toys, food & household items wishes for each family member. Fill out the form linked below to pick the size of the (anonymous) family in need you would like to adopt. The form includes all the details on the basic guidelines of this program. You may help more than one family. Write in the amount of families on your form and return the form to Julia Pelletier at jpelletier@unitedwaymw.org.

We are requesting this year that the items be delivered to the agencies on or before Tuesday, December 13th               

Please sign up and return the form as soon as possible so we can ensure that more families will have gifts this year. After your sign-up form is returned, United Way will work on finding a match and then share the family’s Wish List over to you.

United Way is accepting gift card donations (Walmart, Target, Visa, Amazon) to put towards individuals and families through this program.

FORM TO FILL OUT: Registration Form

Giving Trees

The Giving Trees are now being displayed in the Meriden Mall with tags of anonymous children and adults item(s) they are wishing for the holidays! 100s of tags are hung on the trees for you to pick and then shop for the item on the tag.

Each tag includes one person in need’s wish. You may pick as many tags as you would like to fulfill. Once you are done purchasing the item(s) on the tag, you can drop off the unwrapped gift with the corresponding tag to the Mall Management Office or the Security office. Check out the trees in front of the Meriden Public Library TODAY! (the previous Old Navy location)

Thanksgiving Baskets

This Thanksgiving, put together a food basket for a needy family! The need for food this year is extraordinary and we want to make sure families in our community have food on their table this holiday. We suggest filling the basket with enough nonperishable food for at least 4 people and include a gift card for the family to buy their poultry of choice for their holiday table. You may provide for as many families as you would like!

  • Canned corn
  • Canned squash
  • Canned/box potatoes
  • Canned carrots
  • Green bean casserole ingredients
  • Gravy
  • Mac and cheese
  • Corn bread mix
  • Cranberry sauce
  • Dessert mix
  • Gift card to purchase poultry
  • Anything you think a family will enjoy!

Please contact Julia Pelletier by E-mailing jpelletier@unitedwaymw.org or calling (203) 235-4403 ext.1002 with the number of baskets you would like to put together, your contact information, and any questions you may have!

Once you sign up to provide a basket, we will connect you with one of our community nonprofit or agency partners via email to coordinate a drop-off by Thursday, November 17th to their facility so the agency can then give the food to a family in need in time for Thanksgiving.