Giving Trees Missoula

The nostalgia of the holidays is what many look forward to as the season changes from bright colored leaves of fall to glistening white snowflakes. Gathering with family and friends, gift-giving, festivities, and comfort food consume our days when we’re not out shopping for that perfect gift for our loved ones. But beneath the surface of the holiday excitement is a population of children, families, and elderly having a different experience.

For a foster child, the thrill of opening a gift on Christmas morning may not happen because they may be in transition between homes. For families who find themselves homeless for the holidays, finding that perfect present for their children my be lost amidst the anxiety of finding a warm place to sleep for the evening. And for an elderly person, the excitement and joy of being with family may not happen because perhaps their loved ones live too far away to visit during the holiday.

Each year, our community comes together to bring holiday joy to those in need. Many businesses, schools, and other organizations display a “giving tree” filled with individual tags. You can help make a child, family, or elderly person’s holiday extra special by fulfilling the need listed on their tag.

WHERE TO FIND A GIVING TREE:

Here are some locations you can find a giving tree in Missoula. If you have a giving tree you’d like us to list, please submit that info below.

• Donation Warehouse

  Wishes and needs for children and families from The Parenting Place. Gifts due back by Dec. 20th. Click here to contact them with questions or location.

• Fuel Fitness

  Gifts for local elementary school students. Please return by Dec. 20th.

• Missoula County Public Schools

  Many of the elementary, middle and high schools have a giving tree for their students in need. If you don’t have a student at one of the public schools, contact MCPS at (406)728-2400 to see how you can help.

• Missoula Aging Services

  Click HERE for specific locations.

• Mountain of Giving

  Mountain Broadcasting has multiple trees at local businesses. Click HERE for specific locations which support numerous area nonprofits. Please return gifts by December 17th.

• Toys for Tots

  Multiple businesses around town are accepting new, unwrapped toys. For a complete list of drop locations, please visit the website here.

• Southgate Mall

  Tree is located in front of Eddie Bauer with wishes to support four nonprofit organizations. Please return gifts by Dec. 18th. For more information, visit their website here.

• Walmart and Target stores

GOOD TO KNOW INFO:

• Pay close attention to the gift drop off deadline. Each giving tree has its deadline that they’d like gifts dropped off to get the gift to the individual or family in a timely fashion.

• Please follow the purchasing instructions carefully. Generally speaking, most organizations are looking for new (not used) items or specific gift cards for the individuals on their tags. There are other opportunities to donate gently used or used items to those in need. You can reach out to many of our local nonprofits and inquire about donating those items year-round.

• Follow gift-wrapping directions carefully. Your wrapping skills may be extraordinary; however, the majority of organizations hosting a giving tree also have a group of volunteers ready to wrap items from fulfilled tags and label them accordingly. Dropping off your unwrapped gift also allows the organization to track the tags have been fulfilled and those that haven't.

• Can’t fulfill a tag that you picked up? Try to return it to the tree you selected it from or ask a friend or family member to consider filling the tag or purchase a gift card for the organization to fulfill the items on the tag. Each unfulfilled tag can may be an added expense to the organization hosting the giving tree.