TOY DRIVE FOR CHRISTMAS UNDERWAY

The Courier is once again collecting children’s items for Bethany Food Pantry

Families from the larger Freeman and Menno communities are once again being invited to help make Christmas a little merrier for those less fortunate through The Courier’s Community Toybox Toy Drive.

Beginning this week and continuing through the month of November, items are being collected at The Courier’s Main Street office that will be distributed through the Bethany Food Pantry next month. The pantry serves families the first and third Friday of every month, which means the toys will be available to those families Dec. 3 and Dec. 17.

Items should come to The Courier office unwrapped and may include toys, games, clothes and/or anything else that a youngster might enjoy opening at Christmastime.

Sam Sorensen, who oversees the food pantry with his wife, Linda, says the previous four Community Toxbox Toy Drives have been overwhelming.

“The response has been outstanding,” he said. “Most of the people who come here are so appreciative of the ‘extras’ they’re getting, where they don’t have to go out and spend the money.”

Because of the generosity shown by the public, most families are able to take at least two items from the toy drive per child, said Sorensen.

And he said the food pantry also appreciates other items donated in anticipation of the winter season, like coats, hats, gloves and boots.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s toys, coats, extra food — anything,” he said. “It’s these items that are spendy, and people really need that stuff.”

To learn how to donate winter clothing or food to the food pantry, contact Sorensen at 605-553-4129. Toys can be dropped off at The Courier during regular business hours Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.