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The drive, called Operation Cover Chicago, doesn’t have the funds needed to buy enough gifts for the roughly 10,000 kids expected to show up to receive toys Dec. 20.
While it may seem like the thousands of toys collected at Another Chance Church is significant, organizers of the annual holiday toy drive say the numbers paint...
Toys cost more now due to inflation. And corporations that have donated to the church’s charity, Operation Cover Chicago, have cut back this year amid fears of a recession, said Pastor Kenyatta Smith.
Kenyatta Smith, pastor of the church and CEO of Operation Covered Chicago, says that the church received more than 20,000 requests this holiday season, as families seek a little bit of help before the holiday season. That number is nearly double what the church received last year, and while the church regularly hits its goals, the coronavirus pandemic has put a dent in its efforts so far. “I’m seeing desperation,” Smith said last week. “I’m seeing a lot of hopeless situations and we just feel like it’s our mission to help change that narrative for a family.” The church says it will accept a wide variety of toys, including games, dolls, Hot Wheels cars and headphones, but any help is deeply appreciated with the toy drive nearing.
That number is nearly double what the church received last year, and while the church regularly hits its goals, the coronavirus pandemic has put a big dent in its efforts so far. “I’m seeing desperation,” Smith said. “I’m seeing a lot of hopeless situations and we just feel like it’s our mission to help change that narrative for a family.” Church officials say that they normally have pews stacked with toys for the event, but this year they have just one table full of toys. The church says it will accept a wide variety of toys, including games, dolls, Hot Wheels cars and headphones, but any help is deeply appreciated with the toy drive nearing.