SUNBURY, Pa. — Bags of toys are everywhere at the United Lutheran Church near Sunbury. This is the 37th year for the toy distribution for Northumberland County Children and Youth Services.
"We have a very poverty-stricken area, so we have a lot of families who are not making an income that they are able to survive on," said Carla Clark, director of social services for Northumberland County CYS.
Clark says this year's distribution provided presents for around 850 kids—everything from shoes to toys to diapers.
"This is one way that we're able to help families in need that not necessarily would get those things any other way."
Community members, businesses, and organizations donate the toys.
We had a hospital, we had churches, we had schools. It's just really nice to see the support that we see from those entities in the community because they came through for us," Clark said.
The families are very appreciative.
"I just adopted two grandchildren, and money is so tight for everybody nowadays with the cost of living going up, so it helps out," said Shamokin resident Lorri Moore. "Every little bit helps out."
"This is so helpful because being a single mom is hard, but as long as the community comes together, it takes a village, as they say," said Misty Tononi of Mount Carmel.