The Californer - 26th Annual Toys for Joy Serves 6,600 San Diego Children and Families With Toys and Food

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SAN DIEGO - Californer -- 6,600 San Diego children and their families will experience the hope of the Christmas season at the 26th annual Toys for Joy event at four locations throughout San Diego County on Saturday, December 10. Families have been selected by schools and partner agencies to attend this event.

For 25 years, families have received much needed help during the holiday season at Toys for Joy including brand new toys, clothing and groceries. Last year alone, Toys for Joy gave away over 18,000 toys, 243,034 pounds of groceries, 12,500 articles of clothing and shoes to brighten the lives of many San Diego kids.

Rebecca Jones, San Marcos Mayor shares, "Toys for Joy is one of my favorite events to be a part of. For the past six years, I've had the opportunity to volunteer and hand out toys at the event. Even in the midst of the pandemic, it was amazing to see the joy on children's faces as they received a toy and the families got much needed groceries and diapers. The impact of Toys for Joy goes beyond the one day distribution. I encourage others to think how they can use their time, talent or treasure 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 and more.

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Of San Diego County's 3.3 million residents*over 1 million people face nutrition insecurity.** That is similar to filling Petco Park twenty-three times! Of this number, 284,500 are children.** San Diegans facing nutrition insecurity are unable to provide three nutritious meals a day for themselves or their households. Currently, 2 in 5 children are nutrition insecure.**

Pastor Miles McPherson reflects, "When we first started Toys for Joy 25 years ago, we gathered in the parking lot of neighborhood churches and gave toys and Christmas trees away to the local community. Over the past three years, the needs of the San Diego community have only increased. These toys are a way to change the lives of families in San Diego, and fulfill the main mission of the church to bring people together and transform the lives of San Diego by sharing the meaning of Christmas."

How to be part of Toys for Joy:

Give. Purchase a toy from the online wish list at toys-for-joy.org/toys
Partner. Monetary and/or in-kind gifts can be contributed online at toys-for-joy.org/donate
Volunteer. Sign up to volunteer with family and friends at toys-for-joy.org/volunteers

Toys for Joy is made possible by the generosity of Feeding San Diego and Vessel Bags