Holiday Basket Program

Every year in November and December we provide holiday baskets to families who could use a little extra support. The annual Holiday Basket Program, designed to make a family’s holiday season a little bit brighter, is now in its third decade. We look forward to continuing to help families this way.

Make a referral

Affiliate unions of the Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO or the Northern Virginia Labor Federation, AFL-CIO are welcome to refer members to CSA’s Holiday Basket Program.

To help meet the greatest need with limited resources, we ask that Affiliates prioritize members who:

  • Are out of work

  • Would have challenges providing holidays for themselves and their families without help

  • Are facing difficult financial situations through no fault of their own

  • Not received a holiday basket in past years

2026 Referral Deadlines

  • Make referrals for Thanksgiving by Friday, November 6, 2026

  • Make referrals for December holidays by Friday, December 4, 2026


To refer a member, please complete and submit the Referral Form.

Referral Form

Make a contribution

Union leaders and members can contribute to Holiday Basket Program in the following ways:

  1. Donate directly to CSA online

  2. Mail checks to Community Services Agency, 815 16th Street NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20006. Checks should be made payable to “Community Services Agency.”

  3. Collect grocery store gift cards from our area union grocery stores and send them to CSA to distribute to families.

  4. “Adopt a family” — CSA will work with the family to make a list of needs and wants and connect them directly with your union.

2026 Contribution Deadlines

  • Contribute for Thanksgiving by Monday, November 16, 2026

  • Contribute for December holidays by Friday, December 11, 2026

50 families per year helped through the Holiday Baskets Program