When you think of the upcoming holidays, you think about children sharing food, memories, and religious and cultural events with their families. You don’t think about hunger, or sadness, or poverty so cruel that there might not be any gifts, or family dinners, or a warm house. But this is the reality for many families in our area, a reality that Loaves & Fishes has worked for over 25 years to change.
The holidays are approaching fast, and more families than ever are struggling to pay their utility and food bills. With little or no money available for toys, the holidays can look pretty bleak. But you can help make the holidays a magical time for hundreds of children.
Loaves & Fishes’s annual “Shop for Your Kids Day” will be held on Dec. 20 at the Devens Community Center, 100 Sherman Ave.
Last year, more than 210 clients “shopped” for their kids. They had a wide selection of new toys, books, jewelry, and gift cards, all donated by generous residents of nearby towns. Thanks to the efforts of more than 100 volunteers working to prepare and run the event, over 500 children received gifts from their parents or guardians; many of these children would not have received anything without your help.
We are looking for donations of new, unwrapped gifts valued up to $25, or gift cards in denominations of $10, $15, or $25. Please visit our web site at www.loavesfishespantry.org for a list of the most desired toys, books, stocking stuffers, and gift cards. (We particularly need gifts for teens and tweens.)
Again this year, the Ayer, Groton, Harvard, Littleton, and Shirley Police Departments are collecting toys for Shop for Your Kids; so are the local post offices. Toys may also be dropped off at Ayer’s Cottage Restaurant, the Shirley Public Library, Littleton’s Reuben Hoar Library, Littleton High School, and Donelan’s Supermarkets in Groton and Littleton. Middlesex Savings Bank and North Middlesex Savings Bank have collection boxes, too. (We will be updating our list of drop-off locations on our web site, so check it regularly to see the location closest to you.)
If you would like to deliver the toys yourself, stop by the pantry (234 Barnum Road, Devens) any Wednesday or Friday from 9:45 a.m. to noon, except Nov. 23; Dec. 1 or 15 from 8:45 a.m. to noon; and Dec. 11 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Toys may be dropped off at the Community Center on Monday, Nov. 26, from 6 to 8 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 2, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Monday, Dec. 2, from 6 to 8 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 9 (time to be determined, check the web site.) The last day for toy donations is Saturday, Dec. 15, at the pantry or at the Community Center between 10 a.m. and noon.
When you do your holiday shopping, please consider buying an extra toy or two. See if you can organize a neighborhood or company toy drive. It’s all about helping local kids! We can also use volunteers to inventory toys, do toy pick-ups and deliveries, set up or work at Shop for Your Kids day. If you can help, please e-mail Deb Roufos (dlroufos@gmail.com) or call her at 978-448-0447. We need many hands to make this day a success.
Judy Grande is publicity coordinator for Loaves & Fishes.
