Philadelphia’s Toys for Tots operation is struggling to collect more donations this year. Donations are down nearly 80 percent, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The Inquirer reports the operation has only collected 25,000 toys so far. Last year the operation delivered 113,000. The toys are being distributed in Bristol and Philadelphia on a first-come, first-served basis to registered charities, according to the Inquirer.
Marine Staff Sergeant Marc Palos, the leader of the effort, told the Inquirer that the stagnant economy has hurt people’s ability to donate. The processing center for the operation moved to a warehouse on 2501 Ford Road in Bristol this year. Palos claims the warehouse is “twice as small and twice as empty” compared to the center last year in Northeast Philadelphia.
Final delivery of the toys is set for next Tuesday through December 22, according to the Inquirer.
Toys can be dropped off at any Philadelphia fire station. You can also drop them off at the Toys R Us stores on Cottman Avenue, South Third Street, Aramingo Avenue and Franklin Mills Circle.
Visit the Toys for Tots website for more information.
