With the coronavirus pandemic raging on, the 30th annual West Hollywood Toy and Food Drive will be different this year. Instead of physically collecting toys and clothing, they are asking people to donate money only.
Monetary donations will safeguard community health and prevent the risk of accidently spreading the COVID-19 virus which may linger on physical objects like toys or clothing.
The West Hollywood Toy and Food Drive will be accepting monetary donations until Dec. 18, with the goal of providing nearly 1,000 families with meals and holiday gifts.
Donations may be made online at www.weho.org/holidaydrive. New users must create an account and click on the Donations tab to make a contribution; existing users may simply login to start the donation process.
“For the past 29 years, the generous contribution of toys and clothing from local businesses and individuals has helped provide more than 9,400 local families with a holiday meal, as well as two toys for every child in the family,” said Mayor Lindsey Horvath.
“The amazing people of the city of West Hollywood never cease to amaze me with their kindness,” Horvath added. “While we are celebrating differently this year due to the unprecedented global coronavirus pandemic, we can still make the holidays a little brighter for families in need. With much gratitude, I wish you all a safe holiday season.”
With the money donated online, gift cards to stores such as Pavilions, Ralphs, Trader Joe’s or Target will be distributed this year. The cost to help one family is $65; up to 10 families can be helped with $575.
The annual West Hollywood Toy and Food Drive is a partnership between the City of West Hollywood and the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station to help give back to those in need this holiday season.
The decision to focus exclusively on the distribution of gift cards instead of the physical collection and distribution of toys and clothing is based on guidelines set out in the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s Safer at Home Order.
For more information, please contact the City of West Hollywood’s Recreation Services Division at recreation@weho.org. For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, please call TTY (323) 848-6496.
