You must live, work or attend school in Hamilton County, Indiana. A letter of referral or denial from your specific township trustee is required as the first step. Specific documents are required in order to apply for GSN client financial assistance.

Yes. Some restrictions may apply and information provided is varified. Rental assistance is available for one month of current or past due rent, or for the first month’s rent in a new home/apartment. Payments of late fees and/or deposits are not available. A limited amount of rent assistance is available annually. GSN direct utility assistance is available for one month of current or past due utility bill, which may or may not be the amount needed to restore service. Payments of late fees and/or deposits are not available. All information will be verified with the utility company. Only $200 is available in utility assistance directly from GSN within a 12-month period, per household. Also, during the winter heating season you may be able to apply for LIEAP (Low Income Energy Assistance) in Hamilton County.

Who receives Holiday client assistance? Everyone will receive some form of assistance from only ONE Hamilton County agency or source. No one will receive assistance without submitting an application (digitally/online or hard copy/mail). ONLINE applications are preferred.

Once a Holiday assistance application is received you will either be assigned to a 1) private sponsor or 2) you will be sponsored by GSN. If you are sponsored by GSN you will receive a letter or a phone contact directing you to attend the Holiday event/location. You cannot request a private sponsor. If you are assigned a private sponsor you will NOT need to attend the Holiday distribution site/location, delivery of your Holiday items will be arranged directly thru your private sponsor.

Are there requirements and or restrictions for Holiday client assistance? A fully completed application is required Proof of Hamilton County residency Photo ID Valid contact information Participation in GSN’s Holiday assistance program is a privilege and not a right. We reserve the right limit acceptance to this program for any reason.

How can I sign-up for Holiday client assistance? An annual application for Holiday assistance is required by everyone. No exceptions. We prefer that Holiday applications are completed ONLINE. If necessary, applications can be completed via a hard copy - available through GSN’s website or office, or by contacting any Hamilton County social service agency.

Whenever possible, we prefer you use our website to volunteer, which provides online sign-up for multiple volunteer opportunities. Various categories of sign-up are listed for selection and will indicate the number of volunteers needed, dates and times available. Holiday volunteer (Thanksgiving and Christmas) dates are published mid-October annually.

Volunteers must be 16 years of age or older. Any volunteer younger than 16 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or responsible adult.

We regularly have group volunteering opportunities. Group volunteering is available by using our “iVolunteer” page. Group volunteer work must be coordinated and scheduled through the Executive Director.

Besides cash gifts, our greatest need is NEW or GENTLY used toys and clothing for all ages. Of course we constantly require nonperishable food items. Gift cards are invaluable for extenuating circumstances with clients (all year long and during the holidays). Other donation suggestions can be found on our donation page. What types of donations will GSN not accept? It's hard to say "no thank you" to a donation when those donations could help GSN clients. However, we do need to refuse some items for being non-recyclable or containing hazardous materials, or just impractical for our ability to coordinate or repurpose. Items may be refused because it costs more to transport, repair or refurbish than is practical. Our staff will help guide you concerning the types of donations we are unable to use. NOTE: No household chemical products such as pesticides, paint, paint thinner, drain cleaner, oven cleaner, aerosols and other environmentally-unfriendly waste products. No automotive hazardous waste such as tires, lead acid batteries, additives, gasoline, oils, antifreeze, etc. No mattresses/box springs, including waterbed mattresses and waterbed frames. No carpet or carpet padding. No plumbing fixtures or building materials. No traditional recyclables such as glass, newsprint, office paper, cardboard, plastics, magazines, junk mail, etc. No weapons such as guns, bows and arrows, ammunition, hunting knives, etc. Should you question your donation acceptability contact GSN for more information or visit our donation page.

Our ability to provide assistance to underserved individuals and families is in direct relationship to available money and in-kind goods that are consistently contributed to GSN. Donor contributions and Grant funding are extremely critical in having available resources in being able to assist Hamilton County clients.

iSponsorships can be for Thanksgiving and/or Christmas. Most sponsors elect to do both. It’s your choice. Thanksgiving iSponsorship involves food boxes only; while Christmas iSponsorship involves gifts and food boxes.

How do I become a private sponsor for the Holidays? iSponsorship is available by online sign-up at our website. We welcome individuals, organizations, businesses, corporations and churches to request one or more families to sponsor during the Holiday season.