With Christmas getting closer, the Salvation Army in London is in dire need of donations for the city's youngest children.
Earlier this week, the Salvation Army put out a desperate call for donations for their annual Christmas Hamper program. However, as of Wednesday evening, donation tables at the Western Fair Progress Building for children in the 0-2 age range remained empty.
Spokesperson Shannon Wise said the greatest need is for new, unwrapped toys, games, craft sets and hats/mitts.
“We’ve never seen it this dismal before. We only have what is on the tables, there is no surplus to be unpacked. The need is so great in our community. Hidden poverty is a real issue. We will be providing toys for close to 7,000 local children again this Christmas. Thousands of families in London struggle to make ends meet,” Wise told Blackburn News this week.
Toy donations can be made at any London Fire Station, White Oaks Mall, CF Masonville Place, Westmount Mall, and the Progress Building at Western Fair Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm.
Donations can also be made through the Free 98-1 Rockin’ the Stockin’ Toy Drive, which benefits the Salvation Army. Donations can be dropped off at White Oaks Mall.