Will Santa need a little help with Christmas in your house this year?
Then now’s the time to register for the annual Holiday Toy and Food Distribution, through the United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties.
Starting Monday and running through Nov. 15, registration will be from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the side entrance of the United
Way’s Morgantown offices, 278 Spruce St.
After that, registration will be from 1-7 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from Nov. 18-22, at that same location.
Janette Lewis, the United Way’s community impact director, said the outreach lives up to her job title.
“This will be our 38th year,” she said. “And it really does help our families. It really does make a positive impact.”
The local United Way is hosting the outreach with Christian Help, the outreach organization on Walnut Street that tends to those in less fortunate circumstances.
Serving as corporate partners will be the Monongalia County Humane Society and the U.S. Marines Toys for Tots Foundation, which is supplying toys for the giveaway.
To register, you must show a Social Security card for each household member taking part, Lewis said.
International families who may not be in possession of the cards may sign up by presenting passports or visas, she said.
“We’re not going to turn anyone away,” she said, “but we do need the documentation.”
Families wishing to take part must be current residents of Monongalia County, Lewis said.
While the Marines are providing the toys, the food part of the distribution always comes from a very generous community, she added.
The United Way this year is asking for non-perishable food items with a bent toward healthy, Lewis said.
“We always want people to think about everything it would take to make a good holiday meal,” she said.
“And we ask that you watch for expiration dates,” she said. “If it’s past the date, we won’t be able to give it away.”
This year’s distribution is Dec. 12, she said.
As in past years, area schools will be active participants in the food collection for the drive.
The event is expected to serve 800 families this year, Lewis said.
For more information, call the United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties at 304-296-7525.
“This is a caring, giving community,” she said. “And that’s why lots of families are able to have a good Christmas.”
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