*Original publication date: October 22, 2025*

Kidsgiving is Back on November 22!

Kidsgiving, a free annual Thanksgiving dinner for Cortland area children and their families, supports YWCA Cortland’s mission to empower families and ensure every child feels seen, valued, and cared for—especially during the holidays.

For many in our community, the holidays are a time of stress due to financial hardship, food insecurity, or isolation. This dinner provides comfort, community, and a festive experience in a safe, welcoming environment. By donating food and supplies, you help us deliver nourishment, joy, and dignity to families who need it most. Every item—whether a single pie or a case of water—makes a direct and meaningful difference in someone’s day.

To provide this free meal, we need your help! We are accepting food or monetary donations, and we need event-day volunteer help. All donated food items will be used to prepare and serve a warm, family-style meal to youth and families who may not otherwise have the opportunity to enjoy a Thanksgiving celebration.

Donate Food | November 17 – November 20

Please bring all food donations labeled “Kidsgiving” to the YWCA , no sooner than November 17 and no later than November 20! For larger donations or delivery coordination, call (607) 753-9651 ahead of time, so we can make sure are ready for you.

Can’t get out to shop for food? Make a monetary donation, and we’ll use it to get what we need.

Here’s a list of what we need to make this dinner a success!

Click to enlarge in a new window

Volunteer Your Time | Saturday, November 22

We need lots of volunteers to make this happen! Volunteers will assist with set-up, serving, clean-up, and will help plan and run fun, safe, and engaging recreation activities (like crafts, games, and movement stations) for those attending the dinner.

Sign up to volunteer

Any questions?

Contact Mentoring Director Mindy Gardner at (607) 753-9651 or email bridges@cortlandywca.org.

Together, we can create a warm and welcoming celebration for families who may not otherwise be able to enjoy a holiday meal. Thank you in advance for your support!

*Content included in this post was accurate on the date it was published. All information and pricing are subject to change without notice.*