The Center of Hope and Kent Social Services are once again gathering food and toy donations for their annual Hope for the Holidays food and toy giveaway to families in need this holiday season.
Each year, over 1,500 holiday food boxes are distributed to families, seniors, veterans, and disabled individuals in Portage County, and over 650 children receive toys and gifts through the drive.
To help support their efforts, the programs are accepting donations of holiday food items as well as $15 gift cards from Aldi, Giant Eagle, Marc’s, or Walmart until Monday, November 6th for Thanksgiving and Friday, December 8th for Christmas.
Desired food items include: Jell-O, stuffing, rice or pasta, boxed potatoes, applesauce, soup, cranberry sauce, cake or muffin mix, and canned vegetables, fruit, sweet potato, and pumpkin. Toy donations that value between $20-$25 each for children ages 0-13 are preferred. Toys must be new and unwrapped.
Donations can be dropped off at the Center of Hope (1081 W. Main Street, Ravenna) or Kent Social Services (1066 S. Water Street, Kent) between the hours of 9am and 3pm. Gift card donations can also be mailed to each site.
Families in need of assistance for Thanksgiving or Christmas food and toys can sign up from now until October 31st, Monday-Friday from 9am-3pm by calling the Center of Hope at 330-297-5454 ext. 3, or Kent Social Services at 330-673-6963.
Monetary donations to support the drive are also being accepted. Checks can be made out to either the Center of Hope or Kent Social Services with “Hope for the Holidays” in the memo line and mailed or dropped off at 705 Oakwood Street, Suite 221, Ravenna, OH 44266. Donations can also be made online at fcsserves.org/hope.