PRESS RELEASE
Massive Toy, Food Shortages Threaten Merry
Christmas for Needy Families
ROSEVILLE, Minn. – December 11, 2007 – The Twin Cities Salvation Army is experiencing an unexpected, record increase of families needing Christmas assistance. The result: massive toy and food shortages.
Compared to last year, the number of metro area families registered for Christmas assistance – toys and grocery gift cards – has jumped more than 30 percent.
The unforeseen increase has left The Salvation Army $120,000 short of providing a grocery gift card to every registered family.
Toys are in limited supply not only because of the increase in families, but because toy donations have decreased significantly.
“Last year on this day we had nearly twice as many donated toys as we do now,” said Major Paul Fleeman, commander of the Twin Cities Salvation Army. “The sad reality of this year’s Christmas campaign is that some kids might wake up on Christmas morning with nothing under the tree and no food in their belly.”
So far more than 32,000 children are registered to receive Christmas assistance, and the numbers are rising.
“Our shortage increases with every new family that signs up,” Fleeman added. “We don’t want to turn people away, but without an increase in support we will have to.”
The Salvation Army is urging the public to donate new, unwrapped toys in collection bins located at metro area Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club stores until Dec. 23.
Financial donations can be made by clicking on “Donate a Toy Online” and “Donate a Grocery Gift Card Online.”
The Salvation Army serves more than 200,000 people in the Twin Cities and is a safety net for those with no place to turn. We serve 1,100 hot meals every day and house more than 700 people every night. Donations can be made by mailing a check to 2445 Prior Ave, Roseville, MN 55113 or by clicking below.
