Rockville’s community warmth and holiday spirit were on display during the 2022 Holiday Drive, with 223 donors donating $40,829 in cash to families and people in need throughout November and December. This was the first year the Holiday Drive returned to food and toy donations since the COVID-19 pandemic began. In-kind, or non-monetary, donations totaled $42,500. More than 700 hours were poured into supporting the drive by 300-plus volunteers. Hundreds of families were helped during the two-month campaign. In November, 616 families and seniors, a total of 2,119 people, were helped with the Holiday Drive’s distribution of food. Families and seniors in need were provided with $15 grocery store gift card, a box of nonperishable food, a bag of produce, a baguette and a pie, via an in-person drive-thru pickup at Elwood Smith Community Center or home delivery.

In December, 1,102 children from 441 families were served through the Holiday Drive Toy Shop. Each child aged up to 11 received toys and books, as well as a board game for the family. Each teenager aged 12-17 received a $25 Target gift card and books. To find out more about Rockville’s annual Holiday Drive and make tax-deductible donations year-round, visit www.rockvillemd.gov/holidaydrive.