COSTA MESA : Food, Toys Brighten Holiday for Needy
After a month of collecting toys, food and even Disneyland tickets, the city’s police and fire departments last week held their Sixth Annual Food and Gift Giveaway for needy families.
For Wednesday’s event, a fire engine full of toys and food was driven to the Interfaith Shelter, a local homeless shelter on Wallace Avenue, where needy families were waiting. Food baskets with enough for two or three days were given to almost 200 families. Toys donated by local businesses and residents were given to children under 12.
“It was a real community effort,” said Jeanette Chervony, a community service officer who organized the effort with Costa Mesa Police Officer Tom Pipes. “A lot of our local businesses partake with (donations of) paper wrap to money and tortillas, and even food to help feed the volunteers.”
Most of the 200 food baskets contained turkeys, potatoes, bread and tortillas. One family received tickets to Disneyland from their sponsors.
The extra food will be given to the Soup Kitchen, another local homeless shelter.
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