Amid all the Christmas shopping, tree-trimming and holiday parties, thousands of residents have taken the time to celebrate the season in a different way. From stuffing police cruisers with toys for needy children to preparing winter night accommodations for the homeless, to simply dropping a few dollars in the Salvation Army kettle, residents of Wareham have been sharing the wealth they have with the less fortunate this season.

The Wareham-based Dick Melloni Toy Drive, celebrating its 23rd year, will provide toys to more than 700 needy children this year. Donations to the effort came from sources too numerous to mention – from the Police Department’s Stuff-a-Cruiser drive at Wareham Crossing to a collection organized by the high school girls basketball team.

And those donations are in addition to the hundreds of toys donated to the US Marines’ national Toys for Tots program, with drop-off locations at a range of local businesses.

The volunteers at Damien’s Place Food Pantry in East Wareham have been working overtime, in anticipation of the holiday season, said pantry volunteer Carol.

The pantry opened its doors more than 20 years ago, and operates through the Greater Boston Food Bank. Though the pantry doesn’t rely exclusively on community donations, Carol, who declined to give her last name, said they appreciated everything the community does donate, especially during the holidays.

Those served by the pantry “always want some kind of meat, either a turkey or a Christmas ham,” Carol said. “We try to give all the trimmings to those particular foods. Meat is always an issue, because it is so expensive. They are also looking for sweets – something to supplement the dessert table.”

Carol estimated that about 800 families visit the pantry each month during the holiday season.

The pantry is located at 3065 Cranberry Highway, B20 in the rear, and may be reached at 508-295-3486.

Even before the holidays, the Veterans of Foreign Wars hosted a free festive meal for seniors, veterans and those in need last Saturday. That followed a VFW kids Christmas party earlier in the month.

Pastor David Shaw of the Emmanuel Church of the Nazarene has been helping to run the Nights of Hospitality for the last eight years, providing overnight shelter for the homeless during winter months.

The “Nights” started as a clergy association project with host responsibility rotating among several churches. Each free overnight stay includes a hot dinner and breakfast the following morning. This year’s program begins Dec. 27 at St. Patrick’s Church, but will be rotating amongst other churches in town.

Shaw said the first couple years saw only a small, all-male turnout, but that is changing.

“I can only assume it was an issue of trust,” he said. “That had to be built up. This past year, there were 49 unique individuals who took advantage of the shelter, 11 of whom were women.”

Each night sees an average of seven people, but can host as many as 14 or 15 people, Shaw said. He estimated one-third of those are chronically homeless for more than a year.

Shaw also said the nights were “wet shelters,” meaning anyone who has been drinking or is inebriated may stay.

“We recognize that a good number of people we serve have been drunk, or drinking, and that, if we exclude them, they will die of exposure,” Shaw said. “We only escort them off the property if they are belligerent.”

To date, Shaw said there have been no serious incidents, though he has noticed an “uptick” in drug use, likely caused, he said, by the general rise in opiate abuse in the area. “I am a little nervous about what we will find this winter.”

Turning Point, based out of the Church of the Nazarene, assists the working poor, victims of domestic violence, the disabled, people in bad housing situations, families in crisis, and those who are dealing with illiteracy, inadequate job skills, or substance abuse problems.

Supported exclusively by donations, most of them local, Turning Point has what Shaw described as a “fairly narrow” ability to directly help people. However, the organization can direct people to other organizations around town who may be able to help.

Going forward, Shaw said he is hopeful there will be enough money for Turning Point to help more people find housing.

“I heard at our board meeting the other night that 15 people [have found housing] through our Turning Point program, or programs that they administer,” Shaw said. “It’s been a great year for us.”

Shaw said the organization also collects and distributes toys for children. This year, they partnered with the Dick Melloni Youth Foundation, and that 400 children will be receiving toys.

“This year, they are using our basement,” Shaw said. “It looks like Santa’s Workshop down there! And it’s all pretty much new stuff.”

The Wareham-New Bedford Lodge of Elks distributed 40 baskets filled with food and other items to Wareham and New Bedford families in need.

Though the deadline to request a basket has passed, community members shouldn’t feel shy about asking the Lodge for assistance. Exalted Leader Bob Hurley said families may come to the Lodge if they need assistance with anything.

“We will do anything in the world for a family in need,” Hurley said.

He also noted the Lodge holds fish frys for veterans once per month, and that the Lodge donated both a check and toys to the State Police’s Toys for Tots initiative on Wednesday. The Lodge may be reached at 508-295-6000.