Charlotte, North Carolina, January 10, 2026
This holiday season, residents of Charlotte donated nearly $84,400 to the Empty Stocking Fund, assisting thousands of children and families in need. A partnership with The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program ensured that no one was left without support, providing gifts to families and seniors across the region. Despite a slight decrease in funds compared to last year, the community’s spirit of giving remains strong, highlighting a century-long tradition of philanthropy in Charlotte.
Charlotte Residents Demonstrate Profound Generosity, Aiding Thousands of Children and Families During Holiday Season
Charlotte, North Carolina – The spirit of giving shone brightly in Charlotte this holiday season as local residents contributed nearly $84,400 to the Empty Stocking Fund, directly assisting thousands of children and families in need. The extensive outreach, facilitated in partnership with The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte, highlights the community’s unwavering commitment to ensuring a brighter holiday for its most vulnerable members. This recent outpouring of support, updated as of January 8 and 9, 2026, reflects a deep-rooted tradition of civic engagement and compassion in the Queen City.
The funds raised by community members played a critical role in complementing The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program. The Angel Tree program is designed to connect children and senior citizens in need with anonymous donors who provide Christmas presents. When individual donors did not fully cover the needs, the collective contributions from local residents to the Empty Stocking Fund stepped in to bridge the gap, ensuring no child or senior was overlooked during the festive period.
Community Impact and Outreach
The Angel Tree program achieved significant reach, providing assistance to 1,719 families across Mecklenburg and Union counties. This encompassed 3,670 children, who received gifts and support during the holidays. Beyond children, the program also extended its generosity to 1,362 seniors and 416 individuals with disabilities, providing them with gift cards. The impact of this collective effort is substantial, bringing joy and relief to many households struggling during a challenging economic climate. In a preparatory effort, approximately 40 members of The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte’s Women’s Auxiliary stuffed stockings with various toys and items in November 2025 for the Angel Tree program. Funds from the 2024 Empty Stocking Fund campaign were utilized to purchase 4,604 toys for this year’s initiative, alongside more than 700 gift cards specifically for seniors, foster children, and adults with disabilities.
While this year’s financial giving to the Empty Stocking Fund saw a modest decrease of about 29% from the previous year’s $118,405, officials note that fluctuations in donations are normal and can be influenced by broader economic factors such as inflation and rising costs.
A Legacy of Local Philanthropy
The Empty Stocking Fund has been a steadfast initiative, sponsored by local publications since around 1920, demonstrating a century-long tradition of community-supported charitable giving. Over the past seven years alone, this fund has garnered more than $1.2 million, a testament to the enduring generosity of local residents.
The broader Charlotte community is characterized by a strong philanthropic culture, with billions of dollars channeled annually through various initiatives aimed at addressing critical needs such as food insecurity, homelessness, and educational support. Local nonprofits play a vital role, often overlapping in their missions to serve the community.
Many other organizations actively contribute to holiday giving and year-round support in the Charlotte area. The Charlotte Mecklenburg Dream Center, for instance, operates a Toy Store that empowers parents to purchase new gifts for their children at affordable prices, helping over 300 children experience Christmas joy. HopeMatch provides “Merry Measure Match” financial gifts to cover last-minute needs for families, ensuring a personalized holiday experience. Crisis Assistance Ministry hosted its “Toys from Thomas” initiative, bringing toys to families working towards financial stability. The Hospitality House of Charlotte focuses on offering a “Home for the Holidays” for families grappling with medical crises. The Junior League of Charlotte supports various community service projects, including holiday parties for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. Organizations like Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina distribute vast amounts of food and household items across 24 counties, while Carolina Christmas Angels collect toys and clothing and host an annual Christmas party for underprivileged families. Furthermore, the City of Charlotte’s Community Resilience Fund allocated over $2.5 million to 93 local nonprofits this year, supporting efforts focused on racial equity and economic mobility.
National and State-Level Giving Trends
Nationwide, there has been a notable shift in charitable giving, with a decrease in the percentage of households making donations since 2015. However, households that do contribute are often giving larger amounts. Despite these shifts, North Carolina residents exhibit a particularly generous spirit, with an average donation of $4,238 in 2020, which is approximately 36% higher than the national average. Nonprofits continue to navigate challenges such as increased competition, evolving donor priorities, and reductions in government funding, underscoring the critical importance of sustained community support.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Empty Stocking Fund?
The Empty Stocking Fund is a charitable initiative that has been sponsored by local publications since around 1920, helping to provide gifts and support to children and families in need during the holiday season. It works in conjunction with The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program to cover expenses when direct donor contributions are insufficient.
How much was raised for the Empty Stocking Fund this holiday season?
Local residents in Charlotte donated nearly $84,400 to the Empty Stocking Fund this holiday season.
How many families and children did the Angel Tree program help?
The Angel Tree program helped 1,719 families in Mecklenburg and Union counties, including 3,670 children. Additionally, it provided gift cards to 1,362 seniors and 416 people with disabilities.
What other organizations contribute to holiday giving in Charlotte?
Other organizations contributing to holiday giving in Charlotte include the Charlotte Mecklenburg Dream Center, HopeMatch, Crisis Assistance Ministry, Hospitality House of Charlotte, Junior League of Charlotte, Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, and Carolina Christmas Angels. The City of Charlotte’s Community Resilience Fund also awarded over $2.5 million to 93 local nonprofits.
What are the general trends in charitable giving?
Nationwide, there has been a decrease in the percentage of households that make charitable gifts since 2015, although affluent donors who do give are contributing more. State-level data indicates that North Carolinians tend to be more generous, giving an average of $4,238 in 2020, which is about 36% higher than the national average.
Key Holiday Giving Initiatives in Charlotte
| Initiative/Program | Primary Focus | Impact/Details | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Empty Stocking Fund | Providing gifts and support for children and families during the holidays. | Raised nearly $84,400; complements The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program. | Local |
| The Salvation Army Angel Tree Program | Matching children and seniors in need with anonymous donors for Christmas presents. | Helped 1,719 families, including 3,670 children, and provided gifts to 1,362 seniors and 416 people with disabilities in Mecklenburg and Union counties. | Local |
| Charlotte Mecklenburg Dream Center’s Toy Store | Empowering parents to purchase new gifts at affordable prices. | Helped over 300 children experience Christmas joy. | Local |
| HopeMatch’s Merry Measure Match | Providing financial gifts to fill last-minute needs for families. | Ensures a personalized and joyful Christmas experience for served families. | Local |
| Crisis Assistance Ministry’s “Toys from Thomas” | Distributing toys to families working towards financial stability. | Assists families with holiday needs. | Local |
| Hospitality House of Charlotte’s “Home for the Holidays” | Offering comfort and support to families facing medical crises during the holidays. | Provides a ‘home away from home’ near hospitals. | Local |
| Junior League of Charlotte’s Done-In-A-Day projects | Volunteer support for various community events, including holiday parties for children. | Focuses on mental and physical health needs of children from kindergarten to fifth grade. | Local |
| Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina | Providing food and household items to people in need. | Distributes over 70 million pounds of food annually across 24 counties. | Regional (24 counties) |
| Carolina Christmas Angels | Collecting toys and clothing, hosting an annual Christmas party for underprivileged families. | Provides the only Christmas gifts many families receive and hosts a community event with hot meals and activities. | Local |
| City of Charlotte’s Community Resilience Fund | Granting funds to local nonprofits to foster racial equity and economic mobility. | Awarded over $2.5 million to 93 local nonprofits in 2025. | Local |
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