According to an article by the Denver Post, Denver’s Toys for Tots is facing severe shortage of toy donations this year. The U.S. Marine Corps’ charitable program is reporting that it has distributed less than 10,000 toys and still has over 100,000 requests to fulfill.
“[We] can’t do it without the support of the community. It will always be community driven,” said Staff Sgt. Jon Kilpela, coordinator of the program, to the Post.
This year’s numbers are a stark contrast to 2015’s donations which included over 90,000 toy donations. But despite the shortage, not all local Toys for Tots programs are on the hunt for gifts. Pueblo’s Toys for Tots branch reported it has received double the toys needed, despite the fact they’ve also seen an increase in requests.
Barbara Berv, vice president of philanthropic services for the Denver Foundation, gave one explanation for the Denver shortage, telling the Post that it might be due to economic stressors.
“People are very, very generous and if they are not giving, it is not because they’re not generous, it’s because there’s more economic hardship,” she said elaborating that the struggling oil industry could be a factor.
Donations are being accepted now through December 22 at 3410 Brighton Boulevard, Denver from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Donations can also be made online at aurora-co.toysfortots.org.