What We Do
From Christmas to Career Opportunity Funds
Supporting children and families in Benton County
Committed to Our Community
Every year, Sharing & Caring supports thousands of children and families across Benton County through holiday assistance, career training, scholarships, and essential resources. Last year alone, Sharing & Caring impacted thousands of lives across Benton County—supporting 4,386 children and 1,181 families through Hope at Christmas, while investing $125,000 in career training and certifications for 1,397 high school students.
Making the Holidays Brighter
Hope at Christmas
Hope at Christmas ensures children in Benton County experience the joy of the season—without families having to choose between essentials and celebration.
Through this program, families receive holiday gifts, winter essentials, and support during one of the most financially stressful times of the year.
Families apply online and attend in-person interviews each fall.
Community members can get involved by:
- Applying for assistance
- Participating in Adopt & Shop
- Donating gifts or essentials
- Volunteering during the interview and distribution days
Who Qualifies for Assistance?
To receive support through Hope at Christmas, families must:
- Be a Benton County resident
- Have children ages 0–18 (pregnant mothers qualify)
- Receive SNAP benefits (automatic qualification)
Families may only receive Christmas assistance from one organization. Applications are cross-checked with other community partners. Receiving assistance from multiple organizations may result in denial and ineligibility for up to two years.
How to Apply:
🎄 Step 1 – Fill Out an Application
Starting at 12pm on September 25, 2026, you can fill out your application online. You will also upload pictures of the documents we need to see (like ID and proof of income). If you don’t have a computer, ask your local library — they can help.
⚠️ IMPORTANT: Families may only receive Christmas assistance from one organization. If we find your family is receiving support from multiple groups, your Sharing & Caring application will be denied, and you may be ineligible for two years. We do cross-check with other community partners.
📑 Step 2 – Wait for a Response
After you apply, our volunteers will look at your form and documents. If you meet the rules, we will send you a message that says you are “Conditionally Approved.” This means you are almost done — but there is one more step!
⚠️ IMPORTANT: Interviews will begin on October 15th. We strongly encourage you to attend an earlier interview session to avoid any unnecessary wait times!
🗓 Step 3 – Come to an Interview
Every family must come to an in-person interview. This is where we double-check your documents and talk with you about your children’s wishes and needs for Christmas.
🎁 Step 4 – Pick Up Your Gifts
After the interview, your family will be able to pick up gifts on:
📅 Friday, December 11, 2026
🕢 From 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM
📍 Benton County Fairgrounds
Required Documentation
✅ Who You Are
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Driver’s license or photo ID
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Social Security card or ITIN letter
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Tax return (optional, but very helpful!)
⚠️ IMPORTANT: Documentation must be provided for all parents/guardians. To authorize another individual to pick up in case of emergency (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!), you will need a copy of their photo ID.
✅ Where You Live
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A bill or letter with your name and your Benton County address
(Like a light bill, rent paper, or doctor’s bill)
✅ How Much You Make
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SNAP letter (from DHS)
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Pay stub (after August 20)
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Tax return or benefit letters (child support, SSI, VA, etc.)
⚠️ IMPORTANT: We no longer accept cash payment verification letters. You must upload on of the listed documents to qualify for assistance.
✅ Who Your Kids Are
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Birth certificate or guardianship papers
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Social Security card or school record
- If your child is over 18 and still enrolled in Benton County Schools: Student Summary Profile
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If you are pregnant: doctor’s note or ultrasound (due before April 1, 2026)
Info We Need About You and Your Kids
🧑 About the Parent(s)/Guardian(s)
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Info (Address, Phone Number, Email, Date of Birth) and documents for both parents (if they live in the same home)
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Photo ID for each parent
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Proof of ID (SSN/ITIN/Foreign ID)
📞 About the Alternate Contact
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Name and phone number
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If they might pick up gifts, upload a photo of their ID
💵 About Your Household’s Income
- SNAP letter, tax return, pay stub, or benefit letter
(This is used to confirm you qualify for help)
🎄 About Each Child
For every child, please tell us:
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Name and birthday
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School name (or select “None” if too young)
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Height and weight
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Sizes: Jacket, Shoes, Pants, Shirt
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Christmas Needs (4 things they need)
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Christmas Wishes (4 things they wish for)
🎁 Sharing & Caring will not provide: gift cards, oversized items (i.e. Bikes, Basketball Hoops, or TVs), or items over $75.
Cómo Solicitar:
🎄 Paso 1 – Complete una Solicitud
A partir de las 12pm del 25 de septiembre de 2026, podrá llenar su solicitud en línea. También deberá subir fotos de los documentos que necesitamos ver (como identificación y comprobante de ingresos). Si no tiene computadora, visite su biblioteca local — ellos pueden ayudarle.
⚠️ IMPORTANTE: Las familias solo pueden recibir asistencia navideña de una organización. Si descubrimos que su familia está recibiendo ayuda de varios grupos, su solicitud con Sharing & Caring será rechazada y podría quedar inelegible por dos años. Verificamos esta información con otras organizaciones de la comunidad.
📑 Paso 2 – Espere una Respuesta
Después de enviar su solicitud, nuestros voluntarios revisarán su formulario y documentos. Si cumple con los requisitos, le enviaremos un mensaje diciendo que está “Aprobado Condicionalmente.” Esto significa que casi ha terminado — pero falta un paso más.
🗓 Paso 3 – Venga a una Entrevista
Cada familia debe asistir a una entrevista en persona. Aquí verificaremos sus documentos y conversaremos con usted sobre los deseos y necesidades navideñas de sus hijos.
⚠️ IMPORTANTE: Las entrevistas comenzarán el 15 de octubre. ¡Le recomendamos encarecidamente asistir a una de las primeras sesiones de entrevistas para evitar tiempos de espera innecesarios!
🎁 Paso 4 – Recoja sus Regalos
Después de la entrevista, su familia podrá recoger los regalos en:
📅 Viernes, 11 de diciembre de 2025
🕢 De 7:30 AM a 2:00 PM
📍 Recinto Ferial del Condado de Benton (Benton County Fairgrounds)
Documentación Requerida:
✅ Quién Es Usted
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Licencia de conducir o identificación con foto
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Tarjeta del Seguro Social o carta de ITIN
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Declaración de impuestos (opcional, pero ¡muy útil!)
⚠️ IMPORTANTE: La documentación debe presentarse para todos los padres/tutores legales. Para autorizar a otra persona a recoger los regalos en caso de emergencia (ALTAMENTE RECOMENDADO), debe subir una copia de su identificación con foto.
✅ Dónde Vive
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Una factura o carta con su nombre y dirección en el Condado de Benton
(por ejemplo: factura de luz, contrato de renta o factura médica)
✅ Cuánto Gana
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Carta de SNAP (de DHS)
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Talón de pago (después del 20 de agosto)
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Declaración de impuestos o cartas de beneficios (manutención de hijos, SSI, VA, etc.)
⚠️ IMPORTANTE: Ya no aceptamos cartas de verificación de pago en efectivo. Debe subir un documento aprobado.
✅ Quiénes Son Sus Hijos
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Acta de nacimiento o documentos de tutela emitidos por la corte
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Tarjeta del Seguro Social o ITIN del niño
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Si su hijo tiene más de 18 años y todavía está inscrito en las Escuelas del Condado de Benton: Perfil de Resumen Estudiantil
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Si está embarazada: nota del médico o ultrasonido (con fecha de parto antes del 1 de abril de 2026)
Información que Necesitamos de Usted y Sus Hijos:
🧑 Sobre los Padres/Tutores
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Información (Dirección, Teléfono, Correo electrónico, Fecha de nacimiento) y documentos de ambos padres (si viven en la misma casa)
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Identificación con foto de cada padre/tutor
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Prueba de identidad (SSN/ITIN/ID extranjera)
📞 Sobre el Contacto Alternativo
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Nombre y número de teléfono
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Si pudiera recoger los regalos, suba una foto de su identificación con foto
💵 Sobre los Ingresos de su Hogar
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Carta de SNAP, declaración de impuestos, talón de pago o carta de beneficios
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(Esto se utiliza para confirmar que califica para recibir ayuda)
🎄 Sobre Cada Niño
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Nombre y fecha de nacimiento
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Nombre de la escuela (o seleccione “Ninguna” si es muy pequeño)
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Estatura y peso
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Tallas: Chaqueta, Zapatos, Pantalón, Camisa
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Necesidades de Navidad (4 cosas que necesita)
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Deseos de Navidad (4 cosas que desea)
🎁 Nota: Sharing & Caring no proporcionará: tarjetas de regalo, artículos grandes (ej. bicicletas, aros de baloncesto o televisores) ni artículos con valor mayor a $75.
Opening Doors to the Future
Career Opportunity Fund
The Career Opportunity Fund helps Benton County students access career-focused education, certifications, and workforce training programs—especially those who may not be college-bound.
Since launching in 2016, this initiative has supported students pursuing vocational training, healthcare certifications, construction programs, and other industry-recognized credentials. In 2024 alone, we awarded 1,426 scholarships, more than doubling the impact from the previous year.
Our goal is simple: ensure every student—regardless of financial background—has access to education, opportunity, and a clear path forward.
Your Support Fuels Every Program
Be Part of the Impact
Every coat donated. Every scholarship funded. Every Christmas gift given. It all starts with community support. When you give to Sharing & Caring, you’re investing directly in Benton County children and families—today and for the future.
Upcoming Events
Our Year at a Glance
Sharing & Caring of Benton County serves children and families through year-round nonprofit programs, community initiatives, fundraising events, and volunteer opportunities. From Hope at Christmas to the Career Opportunity Fund, we provide essential support, education assistance, and local resources that strengthen Northwest Arkansas families. Explore our programs and discover how you can donate, volunteer, or partner to support children in Benton County.