Needy families in Clay County either make application through various agencies and churches, or are identified as needy by concerned individuals, service organizations, schools, etc. All clients of the Northland Christmas Store are screened by the Northland Christmas Bureau and Metropolitan Ministries, as to their need for assistance.

Those wanting to go through the Christmas Store must fill out an official application with the Christmas Bureau. Required information includes: address with zip code, contact phone number, social security number, and birth certificate for dependent children. Information pertaining to monthly gross income and proof of address will be requested during pre-registration.

Once the application is completed and the paperwork is on file, the family or person requesting assistance will receive an appointment date and time to go through the Christmas Store. After signing in, a volunteer takes the parent to the gift rooms for his/her age children. Only children 18 and under and enrolled in elementary, middle school or high school or are of special needs and living full time in the household, are eligible to receive toys/presents from the gift rooms.