Thanksgiving & December 2026

Together for the Holidays

This season, Aldea families are helping each other.

Aldea is starting with a $1,500 gift for Thanksgiving groceries & December gifts for kids. We may expand that giving as needs come up.
Every family can take part, whether you'd like to give, would welcome some support, or both!

I'd like to help Ask privately

Asking is private. Only Aldea's 3-person Holiday team will know.

Two ways to take part

If you'd like to help

Give a gift, a card, or your time

  • Fulfill one anonymous gift wish for a child.
  • Drop off a grocery or store gift card.
  • Help at Giving Night, at no cost.
I'd like to help

If you'd welcome support

Ask privately, no paperwork

  • A grocery card for Thanksgiving.
  • Gifts for your kids under 20 in December, given to you unwrapped.
  • A clear, private answer between Nov 18 and 23.
Ask privately

Key dates

Gift sign-ups stay open until gifts are due on December 10.

  1. Nov 9–23Families can ask for support, and anyone can sign up to give.
  2. Nov 18–23Private answers sent.
  3. Nov 18–25Thanksgiving grocery cards delivered.
  4. Dec 10Gifts and cards due in the lobby bin.
  5. Dec 10–16Private December handoffs.

Privacy comes first

Families who receive support stay private, from givers, other families, and most of our own team.

Only Aldea's 3-person Holiday team will know who asked. And receiving support never comes with strings attached:

No photosNo storiesNo thank-you notesNo meetings

Quick answers

Who is this for?

Every family with a child at Aldea. Everyone gets the same invitation to give and the same invitation to ask.

Can my family give and ask for support?

Yes. Many families do both, and no one connects the two.

Do I have to give?

No. Giving is optional, and help that costs nothing counts just as much.

Is giving tax-deductible?

Aldea has no non-profit status, and unfortunately, contributions are not tax-deductible.

What happens to the money?

Aldea's starting gift of $1,500 pays for grocery cards, gifts and anything givers can't cover, and Aldea will add more as needs come up. After the holidays, Aldea will send every giving family a financial statement for the program. Depending on amounts, anything left will be split among local charities such as Bakersfield Angels (support for foster families) and Morning Star Fresh Food Ministry.