Toys, toys, toys! Every year, the Families Forward Holiday Toy Pantry serves up to 1,000 children in the Des Moines Metro. These children's families are struggling to make ends meet, and the toys they receive at the Toy Pantry may be the only gifts that they receive. Won't you help make a child's Christmas bright? Toys are needed by Friday, December 12, 2025.
Click here to see our entire shopping list.
The Families Forward Holiday Toy Pantry serves all children ages 0 to 18.
Most Needed Items:
- Teenager Gifts
- Toys and Age-appropriate Gifts for ages 0-18
- Stocking Stuffers
- Books (new or gently-used)
- Hats & Gloves
- Stuffed Animals (new or "looks-like" new)
- Blankets & Quilts
- Gift Cards to Walmart, Target, & Amazon ($20)
- All items should be brand new.
Drop Off Location & Hours:
Families Forward Child Development Center
1203 Hartford Avenue, Des Moines Iowa 50315
Hours: Monday through Friday from 8:30am - 4:30pm
- Donations accepted from Monday, 11/03/2025 through Friday, 12/12/2025.
Donation Drop Off at Hartford Avenue:
Pull up by the back door of the yellow Child Development Center. Open the gate
behind the Child Development Center and go to the very last door. The door is up 5
steps, and the glass window says “Administrative Office”. Ring the doorbell and
someone will accept your donations. Please have gift card(s) in an envelope and hand
directly to our staff.
Questions or To Schedule a Drop Off: For questions or to schedule evening and weekend drop offs, contact Missy Reams at missy@familiesforward.org or call 515-989-8404.
About Families Forward: Families Forward (previously Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill) has four main programs: Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter (emergency housing), and The Home Connection (long-term housing). For over 100 years, our mission has been to provide compassionate, life-changing assistance to families and their path to self-sufficiency.
