Applications open for Empty Stocking Fund

LUMBERTON — Applications are now open for the 2026 Empty Stocking Fund, which helps provide Christmas gifts for children in families who otherwise might not be able to provide them.

Applications are available both in person and online this year. In-person applications will be accepted at the Robeson County Church and Community Center, at 600 West Fifth Street in Lumberton, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday.

Online applications are available through Friday at https://robesontogether.org/empty-stocking-fund-2026.

“We know how much it means to the families, and with us having almost a one-third poverty rate in the county, how important it is to be able to give families an opportunity to have some assistance providing Christmas,” said Brianna Goodwin, executive director of the Robeson County Church and Community Center. “Even though it’s not essential to have Christmas presents, it’s something that means a lot to the kids and it’s something that can affect their school performance and lot of other factors as well. So it’s just important for us to pour into kids in as many ways as we can.”

Applicants must be Robeson County residents with qualifying children ages 4-15 (age as of Dec. 25). Parents must provide a photo ID and proof of income, plus the birth certificate for each qualifying child. Must be a parent or legal guardian to apply.

All approved participants will receive a $50 voucher per child, for up to six children, from Roses in Lumberton or Roses Express in Fairmont.

RCCCC is “solely responsible” for vetting all applications which are submitted this year, Goodwin said.

Last year’s Fund raised $78,130 and served 1,302 children. The Fund has raised nearly $1.8 million since 1996, enough to help about 36,000 children.

“It’s about us getting together as a community,” said Adrian Lowery, executive director of HACL. “This is a community event every year that really benefits our citizens, and so it was really just us coming together as a community to make sure we continue that.”

The Empty Stocking Fund was launched in 1978 when staff members at The Robesonian put an idea forward to boost the power of a simple Christmas gift, and has continued through recent years with the Robesonian’s partnership with the Robeson County Department of Social Services. The Fund, however, has a new look for 2026, as the Robeson County Church and Community Center has partnered with the Housing Authority of the City of Lumberton and the Lumberton Bowling Center to administer the Fund’s work.

“Working with the Housing Authority, a lot of my residents meet the basic requirements,” Lowery said. “It’s really helped out with, especially the kids, this time of year for Christmas, the thought of some kids not being able to enjoy Christmas … it was a coordinated event where, if it’s not going to happen traditionally, let’s get together and put something together.”

Donations can be given at the Housing Authority of the City of Lumberton, at 307 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, or the Lumberton Bowling Center, at 2205 Godwin Avenue.

“We anticipate a lot of involvement from local businesses and those who sponsored in previous years, and we thank the community for supporting this effort,” Goodwin said.

The Robesonian and Robeson County DSS will not be application or fundraising sites this year.