Yes! FGT partners with more than 300 agencies to gather the exact wishes of Bay Area residents in need. The names and wish you see are actual children, seniors, and adults transitioning from homelessness being helped by our partner agencies.
When FGT commits to providing a gift, we take that commitment very seriously. Generally, about 40% of all wish cards are not returned with a gift, so warehouse volunteers shop at our Holiday Wish Drive Community hub “store” to find a gift that best fits the wish. That gift is then given to the recipient so no one goes without.
FGT still matches the wish. Every single recipient whose name is on a wish card will receive a holiday gift from FGT, whether their wish tag is returned or not. Unfulfilled wish cards are matched with the best option from our Holiday Wish Drive Community Hub “store.”
The Holiday Wish Drive “store” at the Community Hub holds thousands of donated and Family Giving Tree bulk-purchased items for distribution during the Drive. Gifts donated without a wish card or duplicate gifts are placed here until a volunteer matches them with an unfulfilled wish card.
With over 350,000 children living in-need right here in the Bay Area, there is unfortunately always a greater need for holiday gifts than FGT is currently able to fill. Any gifts left in our warehouse “store” at the end of the Holiday Wish Drive are distributed to agencies on our waitlist who are always excited to receive the items.
