Application forms for the 2026 Stockton Christmas Baskets Program are available beginning Oct. 1 at the Cedar County Library, Stockton Branch, 717 East St.; the SAMA Food Pantry and SAMA Thrift Store, 903 East St.; the Korth Senior Center, 309 Englewood Road; Begin Again Thrift, 811 Owen Mills Rd.; Head Start; Tiger Tasters Backpack Program; School Nurse; Premier Health Care; and local SAMA churches. This year applications also are available online.
To qualify to receive a food basket, applicants must live in the Stockton R-1 School District and possess a SNAP card. Those unable to meet these criteria but needing to receive a basket should meet with a SAMA pastor to explain their circumstances. All applications must be returned to the Stockton library no later than 3 p.m. on Friday, Nov 13.
Applicants who are approved will receive ample food for a Christmas dinner as well as gifts for their children ages 0-18 who are permanently living in the applicant’s household. Each child will receive two gifts with a value of $25-$30 per gift. Applicants should consider what gifts their children might like or need prior to filling out their application, keeping in mind it is important to provide clothing sizes as age alone does not provide enough information. Requests for gift cards will be denied.
The program is sponsored by the Stockton Area Ministerial Alliance (SAMA).
