Project Holiday | Get Involved | The Crisis Center of Johnson County

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Project Holiday volunteer opportunities in Iowa City from December 18 - 21

Happy 25th Anniversary to Project Holiday

This is the 25th year The Crisis Center has hosted Project Holiday, our annual food distribution to brighten the holidays for families in need. Project Holiday is made possible through generous donations from individuals, businesses, churches, and service groups. These contributions are used to purchase holiday foods, including special entrees, fresh produce, baking supplies, and more. Financial support and volunteers from the Johnson County community are critical. Help us create a memorable, hope-filled holiday season for those less fortunate and continue the tradition of community spirit.

Brightening the Holidays

Project Holiday began as a partnership in 1988 between the Domestic Violence Intervention Program (DVIP) and The Crisis Center where DVIP distributed toys and The Crisis Center organized food baskets for Johnson County families. After many years of sharing a single distribution site, client feedback led The Crisis Center to begin distributing food directly from the Food Bank instead of an off-site location. Another big change was to offer clients more diversity and choice of foods, rather than a pre-packed box of items as in previous years. Families were given the option to choose from several main entrees, additional baking items and other ingredients for traditional ethnic recipes.

New Locations & Rising Costs

As a way to be more accommodating for current clients and reach families that aren’t able to get to The Crisis Center, additional distribution sites have been added in Coralville and North Liberty. This will also reduce congestion and waiting times at The Crisis Center during distribution efforts.

Due to food prices increasing, the cost to provide a family with holiday food has increased from $15 to $20. Just $20 can help a family in need celebrate the holidays with their favorite recipes and traditions.

Project Holiday "tags" with information about how you can provide holiday food for a family are displayed at local businesses and churches. Look for a tree or bulletin board display filled with red and white Project Holiday tags. You can pick one up and return it with a donation to The Crisis Center (scroll to the bottom of this page for a list of locations). Or you can donate now online!

Is Your Donation a Gift?

A donation to The Crisis Center in lieu of a gift is a lovely gesture. We created a downloadable Project Holiday donation card that you can print on 8.5" by 11" paper, then fold and mail or deliver so the recipient knows how much your thoughtfulness will help our efforts!

Food Distribution Locations:

The Crisis Center located at 1121 Gilbert Ct in Iowa City

Tuesday, December 18 12:00 - 7:00 pm

Wednesday, December 19 12:00 - 4:30 pm

Thursday, December 20 9:30 am - 4:30 pm

Friday, December 21 12:00 - 4:30 pm

The Coralville Recreation Center located at 1506 8th St

Wednesday, December 19 from 11:00 am - 7:00 pm

North Liberty Recreation Center located at 520 W Cherry Street

Thursday, December 20 from 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Register for Holiday Food at The Crisis Center

Registration for individuals and families who would like to receive holiday food will begin on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at The Crisis Center’s Food Bank during operating hours -- Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 12:00 pm - 4:30 pm, Tuesdays 12:00 - 7:00 pm and Thursdays 9:30 am - 4:30 pm-- and will continue through November 30. Families can register at any time and there will be no loss of choice if registration is completed at the end of November.

Off Site Registration

The North Liberty Recreation Center located at 520 W Cherry Street

Thursday, November 15 from 4:00 - 6:30 pm

Saturday, November 17 from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm

The Coralville Library located at 1401 5th Street

Thursday, November 15 from 4:00 - 6:30 pm

Saturday, November 17 from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm

While we prefer to have at least one member of a household come in and register in person, you may register by phone if you are unable to be here during operating hours if you have visited the Food Bank at least once in the past year. New families need to register in person at the Food Bank or at one of the alternate sites.

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The Crisis Center employs and assists people without regard to race, national origin, color, creed, religion, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, associational preference, or any classification that would deprive the person of consideration as an individual.