FAQ
HOLIDAY GIFT PROGRAM
The Empty Stocking Fund Holiday Gift Program serves families in Greater Metro Atlanta with children from newborn through age 17. This year, we have over 200 products to choose from that are grouped by age ranges (0-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 and 13+). Each parent/guardian can select up to 3 products for each child.
- Register and create your account
Create your account in the ESF Parent Portal and save your email and password. You’ll need them to check your status and schedule pickup. - Add your children and upload proof of benefits
Enter each child’s information, then upload your proof of benefits. You can upload documents for all your children at once. Make sure every name matches your registration exactly. - Our team reviews your application
Every application is reviewed by a real person. You’ll get an email and see your status in the portal once a decision is made. If your application is denied, the reason will be listed, and you can fix the issue and submit again. - Approved families join the queue
Once you’re approved, your family is placed in a queue based on your children’s age ranges. We’ll notify you when it’s your turn to choose gifts. - Shop and pick up
When you’re notified, choose your children’s gifts online, select a pick-up location and pick up at your scheduled appointment date and time.
Every gift we give is donated or bought with donor support, so our inventory is limited. Each year we serve more than 27,000 children, and demand is always higher than what we have.
Please keep in mind:
- Approval does not guarantee gifts. Once approved, families are put in queue and invited to shop as supplies last.
- Register as early as you can. The sooner your application is complete and approved, the sooner you enter the queue.
- Pick-up locations are throughout the Greater Metro Atlanta area.
To register, you must:
- Be the parent or legal guardian of the child or children you are registering
- Have children who currently receive at least one of these forms of public assistance:
- Medicaid
- PeachCare for Kids
- SNAP (food stamps)
- TANF
- SSI
Proof of benefits is required. Your documents must show current coverage, and the names of the parent or guardian and each child must match your registration exactly. We accept:
- Medicaid/SNAP Notice of Eligibility Decision
- SSI Benefits Verification letter
- Foster care placement letter from DFCS or an approved agency
- CAPS Certificate (childcare)
Foster parents and kinship caregivers (such as grandparents raising grandchildren) are welcome to apply with a DFCS placement letter or proof of the child’s benefits in their name.
Not in Metro Atlanta? Dial 2-1-1 to find holiday help in your area.
HOW TO CREATE & MANAGE ACCOUNT
Watch this video to understand the registration process.
Please save your email and password in a safe place.
Once you have registered, click here to log into your account.
After successfully logging in, you can proceed by clicking here (or navigate to Account Settings). Next, enter your previous password (point 1). Then, follow the steps shown in the screenshot below to set a new password (points 2 and 3). Don’t forget to save the changes by scrolling down and clicking the “Save Changes” button (point 4).
If you’re experiencing difficulties logging in, no worries! Simply click here to access the reset password page. Fill in your Email Address and click the “Reset Password” button. After submitting the form, please check your email inbox for a step-by-step guide on how to reset your password. If you can’t locate the email, don’t forget to check your spam folder or consider submitting the form again. Typically, it takes approximately 2-5 minutes for the email to arrive.
Your password strength must be good or better, which is shown in the strength indicator below. Use special characters such as &!@$, and upper and lowercase letters. You cannot proceed if your password strenth is not strong.
If you cannot login, this may be due to website cache. Website cache occurs when your browser or computer is holding a saved version of the page to help it load faster – which can cause login issues. You can follow the following steps to clear your cache or override the issue.
HOW TO MANAGE YOUR CHILDREN
Parents and guardians of children receiving any form of public assistance including Medicaid, PeachCare for Kids, TANF, SNAP, and SSI, may shop in the ESF Holiday Store for school-aged children via your ESF Parent Portal.
HOLIDAY ORDERS
Have an issue with your order? Use this form to report missing or damaged items.
If you missed your pickup for any reason, you must wait to hear from us. Calls and emails about missed appointments will not be returned. Our priority is filling all orders for distribution as scheduled. Once we have done this, we will make every effort to accommodate missed appointments. If we are able to offer you another chance to pick up your gifts, we will let you know.
Login to your ESF Parent Portal to Report an Issue and we will do our best to make it right.
Login to your ESF Parent Portal to Report an Issue and we will do our best to make it right.
