24th Toys for Joy Continues Amidst Pandemic

SAN DIEGO - Dec. 8, 2020 - PRLog -- SAN DIEGO, CALIF. --- For the 24th year, the annual Toys for Joy event will take place and serve over 3,700 families. The drive-thru style distribution will take place Saturday, December 12th at four locations throughout San Diego.

Over the past 23 years, Toys for Joy has served over 166,900 children and their families. During the holiday season, it can be difficult for families to provide toys and food without sufficient funds and resources. This is true now more than ever with the impact of COVID-19. The Rock Church alongs with its partners will host a drive-thru style version of Toys for Joy. Children will each receive a brand new toy and families will receive groceries. Toys for Joy has tripled the amount of groceries being distributed due to the impacts of COVID.

While it will look different than in the past, Toys for Joy hopes that children and families will still be able to experience the joy and hope of the Christmas season. Toys for Joy will be adhering to the County's safety guidelines. As a result, all attendees are  pre-registered and have a reserved time at which they will come and experience the Toys for Joy drive-thru contactless distribution.

Toys for Joy has been working with over 60 schools and agency partners all over the county to distribute toys and groceries to families that they serve. They are the ones recommending the families. Due to complexities of COVID this opportunity has been extended to invite only and walk-ups will not be able to be accommodated. All attendees must have pre-registered through one of the partner agencies in order to participate.

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.

Miles McPherson shares, "As human beings we are made to give. We are made in the image of God, who gave His Son. Which is why celebrate giving at Christmas time."

Here are some ways that our community can help make this event a success

• Donate toys-18,000 new, unwrapped toys are needed to make this event possible. With safety in mind due to COVID, we will buy the toys for you. With an average wholesale cost of $7.50, you can buy toys for 10 children for only $75.00! The more toys, the more joy!  http://toys-for-joy.org/donate
• Partner with the event-Many items are needed to support this event. Partnership information can be found here: https://www.toys-for-joy.org/sponsor