Our Mission
Every child deserves the wonder and excitement of Christmas morning, yet thousands of children in Orange County go without a gift each year. The Bag of Hope Project (BHP) was created to change that by inspiring people to fill a gift bag with thoughtful Christmas gifts for a child whose family is homeless or in transition.
How it Works
At BHP, we believe that simple acts of generosity can change lives. When you fill a gift bag for a child, you’re doing more than purchasing presents. You’re sharing hope, kindness, and the joy of knowing that a family facing difficult circumstances will experience the magic of Christmas.
Whether you participate as an individual, family, group, or organization, the experience of selecting and purchasing gifts creates a meaningful connection that leaves a lasting impression on everyone involved. Together, we can help children feel seen, valued, and remembered during the holiday season.
Children selected for the program are verified through the McKinney-Vento Act in partnership with the Family Oasis Center, ensuring support reaches families experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity.
01
Sponsor a child
Click here to sign up. Once registered, you will receive your sponsored child’s name, age, and gender, along with a suggested shopping list to help guide your gift selection.
02
Shop for your child
Purchase gifts from our BHP Shopping List to help ensure each child receives a thoughtful and complete gift bag.
The approximate cost to fill one gift bag is $100.
03
Return your items to our workshop
2026 details coming soon
Gift bags will be distributed to families at our BHP distribution event.
Shopping Guidelines
Please use the appropriate shopping list for your assigned child's age and gender to help ensure they receive gifts they'll love.
As you shop, please keep the following guidelines in mind:
Choose gifts that will make Christmas morning feel special. All items should be brand new, unopened, and of good quality.
Please avoid dollar-store items.
Do not include used items or hand-me-downs.
Select gifts with the same care and thoughtfulness you would for a child in your own family.
Thank you for helping make the holidays brighter for a local child. Your generosity brings joy, hope, and the excitement of Christmas morning to families who need it most. ❤️
Bag Return Information
Please return all filled bags to our workshop no later than November 23rd.
Available Drop-Off Times
Saturday, November 21| 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Morning)
Monday, November 23 | 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM (Evening)
Workshop Location
2026 workshop address coming soon!
Sharing hope.
“We would like to thank you for all that you do so our children can enjoy Christmas. ”
You can make a difference.
No gift of time, talent or money is too small in the face of such great need.
Donate
No time to shop? Let us do the shopping for you.
Your tax-deductible donation helps us provide thoughtful, high-quality gifts to children and families experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us reach more children and ensure every gift bag is filled with care.
Volunteer
The best way to spread Christmas cheer is to volunteer with BHP!
If you're passionate about spreading hope in your community, we'd love to welcome you to the Bag of Hope Project volunteer team. Volunteers are the heart of our mission, helping bring joy and encouragement to local children and families during the holiday season.
Whether you're helping organize and pack gift bags at our workshop or assisting families at our festive distribution event, your time and service make a meaningful difference.
