Families across Orange County are getting ready to celebrate winter holidays like Christmas, Kwanzaa and Hanukkah as well as the end of 2024 in the next couple of weeks – but many families are struggling to put food on the table.
With 10% of Orange County’s roughly 3.1 million population living under the poverty line, many of those families will be able to feed their children and give them some toys through the help of nonprofits and donations.
The efforts come at a time when food bank leaders are warning that hunger in OC is quietly rising to a level they haven’t seen since the start of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
[Read: Hunger is on a Sharp and Silent Rise in Orange County This Thanksgiving]
It also comes on heels of a new county report showing the number of kids local school districts deem homeless and the number of kids eligible for free lunches are on the rise in Orange County – a historic indicator of poverty.
Ahead of the holidays, Voice of OC has rounded up a list of food and toy drives hosted by nonprofits this month and opportunities for people to donate or volunteer.
Winter Toy Drives & Distributions
Share Ourselves, a community health clinic who helped scores of underserved residents in the pandemic, is hosting their 55th annual Adopt A Family drive that this year is aiming to provide gifts for over 1,200 families in Orange County.
The group works with local school districts and nonprofits to find families who can use some assistance during the holidays and help them create a wish list of toys and gifts for those people.
“These are really struggling families in our communities that may not otherwise be able to afford or have any kind of holiday celebration,” said Christy Ward, CEO of the organization, in a Thursday phone interview.
Donors can sponsor unidentified families and purchase gifts off their wishlist and drop them off at Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa on Dec. 15 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and Dec. 16 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
The window to sponsor a family ended earlier this week but those wishing to volunteer to help out with the program can do so by emailing volunteers@shareourselves.org.
Ward said the holiday season can produce a range of emotions.
“It can be a time of great joy and it can be a time of sadness, but it always feels like it’s a time that many people want to get involved, to uplift or bring the holiday spirit to others,” she said.
“There’s the season of giving, and this is that time that on both the giving and the receiving end, that kind of comes to life.”
On Friday Dec. 13, Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken in partnership with the United Across Borders Foundation will be hosting a toy and food giveaway at the Anaheim Convention Center from 9 – 5 p.m.
The giveaway in Anaheim will be on a first come, first serve basis. Kids will also have to be present to receive a toy.
The foundation is also hosting a drive-thru toy distribution with OC Supervisor Doug Chaffee on Saturday Dec. 14 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Loara High School on a first come, first serve basis. Children must be present.
On Saturday Dec. 14, The Power of One Foundation – a nonprofit who helped feed families across the county during the pandemic – will give out toys to registered families at the Tamalfest in Downtown Santa Ana for the annual Winter Wonderland distribution.
Those who wish to get a toy must register online and must have the child present to receive a toy. Registration for the event opened on Dec. 4 and quickly filled up within hours.
On Saturday Dec. 14, Orange County Rescue Mission – a faith-based group that strives to address homelessness – will host their 16th annual Miracle at the Mission Christmas party and gift giveaway for hundreds of homeless people at the Village of Hope shelter in Tustin.
The group is asking for donations for both kids and adults like beanies, socks, $10 dollar gift cards, water bottles, blankets, paint sets, coloring books, dolls, LEGO sets, toy trains and cars and more.
“Many children will have the opportunity to select holiday gifts to express gratitude to their mom and dad, often for the very first time. It’s these moments of love and connection that capture the spirit of the holidays at the Rescue Mission,” said the group’s president Bryan Crain in a news release.
“Through these donations, we’re able to help our residents create cherished holiday memories with their families while ensuring they continue to receive the essentials for basic needs and comfort.”
Donations can be dropped off at the Village of Hope shelter in Tustin from 8 a.m to 5 p.m. everyday through Friday Dec. 13.
The Friendly Center is also doing a toy and gift drive and accepting donations of new, unwrapped toys worth $25 or more for kids up to 17 years old.
Donations can be made through Dec. 16 on an Amazon Wish List or can be dropped off by appointment in Orange or Buena Park.
For more information on the Friendly Center toy drive, click here.
Pathways of Hope in Fullerton is also organizing their 39th annual holiday food and toy drive to help over 500 families.
The interfaith group is asking for donations of nonperishable food and new unwrapped toys. Donations may be made on this Amazon Wish List or can be dropped off at the HUB of Hope pantry in Fullerton.
In Santa Ana, the Seva Collective is expected to hold a free holiday food distribution and give out clothes, toys, and books on Saturday Dec. 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Raymond A. Villa Intermediate School.
The Orange County Heritage Council will also be hosting a toy giveaway on Dec. 21 at the New Covenant Church from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
On Sunday Dec. 22, the Artesia Pilar Neighborhood Association will be hosting a toy giveaway and Posada – a celebration of the Virgin Mary and Joseph’s search for a place to stay where Jesus could be born.
The event will take place between 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. at the El Salvador Recreation Center in Santa Ana and will include a procession where kids are encouraged to dress up as angels or shepards.
Editor’s note: Ashleigh Aitken’s father, Wylie Aitken, chairs Voice of OC’s board of directors.
Hosam Elattar is a Voice of OC reporter and corps member with Report for America, a GroundTruth initiative. Contact him at helattar@voiceofoc.org or on Twitter @ElattarHosam.
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