The Californer - 22k Expected to Attend Rock Church's 23rd Annual Toys for Joy Helping Underserved Families

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SAN DIEGO - Californer -- On Saturday, December 14, 22,000 San Diego children and their families will experience the hope of the Christmas season in a unique way at the 23rd annual Toys for Joy event. The event, which is free and open to the community is located at four locations, including Lincoln High School, Cajon Valley Middle School, Guajome Park Academy, and Castle Park High School and runs from 9AM-2PM.

Families start lining up as early as 3pm the day before for an opportunity to receive a brand new toy, clothing and groceries for the holidays. Last year alone, Toys for Joy gave away over 17,160 toys, 7,000 bags of groceries, 191,200 articles of clothing and shoes to brighten the lives of many San Diego kids. This event is free and open to the community.

Toys for Joy is more than just a toy. Not only will children birth to 11 receive a free toy, but families will have the opportunity to receive free lunch, groceries, hair cuts, activities, gently-used clothing (at the Lincoln site) and more. Many volunteers, sponsors, businesses, and community partners work together to spread hope through this event.

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In tough economic times, everyone needs hope. Of San Diego County's 3.2 million residents, 486,000 people face food insecurity every day.* Of this number, 163,000 are children. Nearly 19 percent of San Diego County's children are living in poverty, according to KidsData.org. An analysis of two Census Bureau surveys — one conducted between 2006 and 2010 (https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US06073), and the other between 2011 and 2015 (https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/15_5YR/DP03/0500000US06073) — shows that the countywide poverty rate grew from 12.3 to 14.5 percent. That's an increase of 94,000 people living on incomes below the poverty line, enough to fill two Petco Park Stadiums.*

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"The holiday season is a time for us to really appreciate what we have. A lot of us wouldn't stand in line, sometimes in the rain for hours to get a toy. If a family has to do that, we should be there to help them. More than ever, people need to step up and help those who are in need this year," said McPherson. "Christmas is a time when God showed His love for us, and we're ready to show God's love in the communities where we live and serve. That's the purpose of the church."

WHEN: Saturday, December 14, 2019 9 AM - 2 PM
Locations: www.sdrock.com/toys