Maine Children’s Home (MCH) understands that when you’re financially insecure, the holidays are stressful. We are here to try to help!
This program is intended for Maine families who need help to provide holiday gifts and winter essentials to their children between the ages of 0–17 years. It is intended only for those who have no other way of providing gifts for their children and provides a basic package of clothing, toys, and books. We do not provide game systems, video games, video game cartridges, electronics, cell phones, or “big ticket” items.
Terms of this agreement between You and Maine Children's Home:
Only parents or legal guardians should complete this application. If you are a caseworker or representative of a parent or legal guardian assisting a client, please make sure that the client is present so that they are able to provide complete and accurate information. Please communicate clearly with your client regarding pick up instructions in order to avoid confusion and unnecessary stress.
- You must live in Maine to participate.
- If you are applying for our program, it should be your only source of holiday help for your children. Attempting to obtain gifts from other sources such as your child's school, your town office, or the Salvation Army, or providing false information on this application, is considered theft by deception (and is punishable by law). We do enforce these requirements, and we check with schools, caseworkers, and other programs to ensure that applicants are not receiving help from multiple sources. We want to make sure that this support is available for people who genuinely need this help.
- Boxes are distributed at Maine Children’s Home at 93 Silver Street in Waterville. Please make sure you are able to pick up your box in Waterville or can arrange a ride to pick it up, before you apply.
- Once you’ve submitted your application, you will receive an email confirmation. Make sure to check your junk email box if you don't see it within an hour. Keep the confirmation number that is noted in your email.
When your box is ready, a member from our team will call to provide pick-up instructions. You will need to tell the caller the confirmation number, or you will not receive your box.
PLEASE NOTE, AS THIS HAS CHANGED: Gifts will be distributed this year between December 8 – December 19. Further instructions will be provided when you receive our call.
MCH offices are closed on the following dates:
Tuesday, November 11
Wednesday, November 26- Closing at 12 PM
Thursday, November 27
Friday, November 28
Wednesday, December 24 – Friday, January 2
The phone number for the MCH Christmas Program is 873-4253, and the contact is Amanda Simmons, email is essentials@mainechildrenshome.org. Please make a note of this information.
Below, you will be asked a series of questions to determine if you qualify for the Christmas & Winter Essentials Program. Please answer all questions truthfully.
Your application will not be processed if it is incomplete.
Before you continue with this application, have all this important information ready:
- A current Maine address
- Clothing sizes, shoe sizes, and interests of each child you are applying for
- A valid email address where your confirmation will be sent
- A working phone number that is set up to receive voicemail messages (Expect our call and plan to answer your phone. We cannot make arrangements with you to pick up a box if we can’t reach you)
- Total household monthly income (from all members of the household, not just the applicant)
After you’ve submitted your application, you will receive an email that contains a unique confirmation number. Keep this number for your records. You will need your personal confirmation number for pick-up. Please check your junk email folder if you don't receive your confirmation within an hour.
Income Eligibility
| Household Size |
Monthly Income Limit |
| 2 |
$2,344 |
| 3 |
$2,954 |
| 4 |
$3,563 |
| 5 |
$4,173 |
| 6 |
$4,782 |
| 7 |
$5,392 |
| 8 |
$6,002 |
| 9 |
$6,612 |
| 10 |
$7,222 |