Community Corner
Evanston to Start Annual Toy-Food Drive
Eight drop-off centers around the city will be collecting from Nov. 21 to Dec. 19.
The city of Evanston and community organizations will be asking residents to help make holidays a bit brighter for those in need.
Letters will be going out to the community as early as next week seeking donations of money, non-perishable food, family gifts and toys for the annual Holiday Toy and Food Drive.
Volunteers also will be needed to help give out boxes of food and gifts just two days before Christmas.
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A long-time effort sponsored by the city that for the last couple of years has included community groups, this program will be especially crucial this year because this season will be challenging for many families, said Zollie Webb, the city’s community outreach coordinator who is overseeing the effort.
“We’re seeing a lot more need. A lot of people are hurting here in Evanston,” he said.
Find out what's happening in Evanstonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The entire effort begins Monday, Nov. 21 when eight drop-off centers will be up and running to accept items, city officials said.
New, unwrapped toys and/or non-perishable food items can be brought until Monday, Dec. 19 to the following sites:
- Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Ave., Room 1100 (Recreation Office), Mon.-Fri., 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- The main , 1703 Orrington Avenue, Mon.-Thurs., 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Fri. & Sat., 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sun., Noon to 6 p.m.
- Chandler-Newberger Center, 1028 Central St., Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sat., 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- , 2024 McCormick Blvd., Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sat., 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- , 1655 Foster St., Mon.-Fri., 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sat., 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- , 300 Dodge Ave., Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sat. and Sun., 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- , 927 Noyes St., Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Robert Crown Center, 1701 Main St., Mon., 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tues.-Thurs., 9 a.m. to 8 p.m; Fri., 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sat., 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sun., Noon to 4 p.m.
Approximately 100 families will be able to get boxes of food. Call 847-448-8138 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. to enroll.
People will be needed to help pass out groceries and gifts between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Dec. 23 at the Fleetwood-Jourdain Center. Log on to Volunteer Evanston to sign up.l
