10/12/2026
🎄❤️ An Important Announcement from The Giving Barn ❤️🎄
This is not a post we ever imagined having to write, and certainly not a decision we have made lightly.
After many difficult conversations and a lot of consideration, we have made the heartbreaking decision that we will not be hosting Christmas at the Barn for 2026. 💔
For those who have followed and supported The Giving Barn over the years, you know just how much this program means to us. Christmas at the Barn has always been about so much more than presents under a tree. It has been about bringing hope, spreading kindness, easing the burdens of struggling families, and reminding people that even during their hardest seasons, their community cares.
Unfortunately, the reality is that so many families, individuals, and businesses are struggling right now.
Last year was incredibly difficult. With the uncertainty surrounding our economy, finding sponsors became harder than ever before. We found ourselves in the heartbreaking position of having to turn away more families than we were able to help.
And here we are in 2026, with no signs that things have gotten any easier. If anything, we know the need in our communities is going to be even greater this holiday season.
As much as our hearts want to say YES to every family who reaches out, we also have to recognize the reality of what we can reasonably provide with the resources available to us.
Please know that this decision does not mean The Giving Barn is stepping away from helping our community. Far from it! ❤️ Throughout the holiday season, we will continue sharing any Christmas assistance programs and resources we come across for families in Livingston and Shiawassee Counties. We want to help connect families with organizations and programs that may be able to provide the assistance they need.
And to our incredible supporters who look forward to giving back through Christmas at the Barn each year, WE STILL NEED YOU! ❤️
We have some ideas for ways you can continue spreading kindness and making a difference this holiday season. Opportunities that will allow us to continue supporting individuals and families in need throughout the season, rather than through one large Christmas program. If you are interested in helping, please send our page a message. We would love to connect with you!
Making this announcement breaks our hearts because we know there are families who count on programs like ours. We wish more than anything that we had the resources to help everyone who needs it.
To every sponsor, volunteer, donor, and supporter who has helped make Christmas at the Barn possible over the years, THANK YOU! You have helped us create beautiful memories, bring joy to children, and remind families that they are not alone.
Our Christmas program may be taking a pause this year, but our mission, our love for this community, and our commitment to helping those in need will never stop. ❤️
Because The Giving Barn has always been about more than one event or one season. It's about showing up for one another, lifting each other up, and reminding people that kindness and compassion still exist, even during the hardest times.
We may not be able to do everything we wish we could, but together, we can still make a difference. Every act of kindness, no matter how big or small, matters.
And no matter how difficult the times may be, we will always believe in the power of people coming together to help one another.
❤️ Community Helping Community.
❤️ Unity in the Community.
❤️ Love Always Wins.
With love and gratitude,
The Giving Barn ❤️🎄
