December 13
The Holiday Train is a great way to get into the festive spirit. It’s about 1,000 feet in length with 14 brightly decorated rail cars. Each one is lit with hundreds of thousands of LEDs and holiday designs celebrating the spirit of the giving season.
Depending on the day, visitors can enjoy free musical performances by Tenille Townes and Breland or Dallas Smith and MacKenzie Porter. Any food or cash donations will also benefit the local community.
12/13 Buffalo at 5th Street NE railway crossing (5:45 p.m.)
The Local Impact
Buffalo Toys for Tots 2023
| 2,788 Toys Distributed | 486 Children Supported |
We provide toys for families in the cities of Buffalo and Montrose only. Distribution Day for toys for 2023 will be on Saturday, December 9, 2023.
Applications
Applications will be received November 1 – December 1, 2023. Applications should be mailed to: Buffalo Rotary Toys For Tots, PO Box 501, Buffalo, MN 55313
Applications will be available at the following locations after November 1, 2023:
Applications may also be submitted electronically through this website starting on November 1, 2023.
Verification/Documentation for Distribution Day
This year we will, again, be very strictly enforcing the requirement that parents present an ORIGINAL (not photocopy) birth certificate or a CURRENT YEAR school photo identification for each child, as well as an identification card for the parent (and if the identification card does not have a Buffalo or Montrose address, a current utility bill with a Buffalo or Montrose address). Toys will not be provided if this information is not brought with them on registration day.
Donations
Cash donations are very much appreciated and may be made via this website or by mailing a check to Buffalo Rotary Toys for Tots, P.O. Box 501, Buffalo, MN 55313. Any donations that you make through this local Rotary Club of Buffalo Toys For Tots website will stay local and will be used to purchase a toy for a child in Buffalo or Montrose.
Toy donations (new and unwrapped) may be made at any of the drop boxes located throughout the Buffalo and Montrose community (available approximately mid-November – mid-December). For a list of locations, please see the link on this website.
Sunday, November 19
9:00-1:00
If you would like to volunteer for a grocery bagging shift, please email buffalofoodshelfvolunteer@gmail.com
Or do your grocery shopping one of these days and have someone bag your groceries for you!
This is a fun and easy way to help raise money for the food shelf. Get a group together-friends, neighbors, bible study groups, NHS, or co-workers! Our community is very generous- especially when we bag groceries for them!
Coats for Kids event will be at Zion Lutheran Church on Saturday, October 28- appointment Only
Once a Month on a Tuesday from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
2022: Mar 8, Apr 5, May 10, Jun 7, Jul 12, Aug 8, Sep 12, Oct 10, Nov 7, Dec 12
Address: 1200 MN-25, Buffalo, MN 55313
January 10, 2023, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Fare for All – Trinity Hall
Fare for All is a non-profit, cooperative purchasing program that sells packages of frozen meat and fresh produce for up to 40% off retail prices at Zion and around the state. Sales are open to all, no questions asked.
*Sales are subject to change last minute.
January 5, 2023, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Blessing Closet Diaper Distribution – Narthex
Zion’s Social Ministry Committee’s role is to go beyond the walls of Zion and respond to Zion’s vision of ‘creating a community where people are connected in relationships and supported in need.’ The Blessing Closet has identified another need in our community where it can expand its services to help clothe people in need by providing diapers to children! The lack of a sufficient supply of diapers to keep a baby or toddler clean, dry, and healthy remains a serious issue that impacts both children’s and families physical, mental, and economic well-being.
Coats for Kids event will be at Zion Lutheran Church on Saturday, October 22- appointment Only