Toy Town In Need Of Toys

SIOUX FALLS, SD - Every year, giving to those in need is a priority to the Salvation Army. The organization's Toy Town officially kicked off Monday and will continue to run through the week. But this year is proving to be a little more difficult than usual.

Every year, the community comes together to donate money and toys to the Salvation Army's Toy Town. 

"We have been truly blessed by the community with some beautiful gifts that we can give to the children," Salvation Army's Major Judy Mills said.

Even with all the gifts that have been given this year, it's a little different from the past and the economy seems to have something to do with it. 

"We have been given some beautiful, beautiful gifts.  Our problem is we are seeing there aren't as many as we have had in the past. I truly believe part of that is because of the economy and that every family is affected with what's happening nationally," Mills said.

With the need for assistance rising, the good news is it's never too late to donate.

"We still need the toys through today, tomorrow and the next day.  Toys will still be distributed to the children if we can just get them here so that we can get them out to be processed for the family," Mills said.

The toys that are not picked over the next few days will still go to families in need. 

"The toys that are left over from toy town are still taken to the Salvation Army. We still do last-minute intake.  We don't want any family to go without food of toys at Christmas time," Mills said.

Each family that participates in Toy Town gets a toy for their child along with a stocking stuffer and a ham for the whole family. The mission is to make sure every child has a Merry Christmas.

To guarantee that these children have at least one toy to open this Christmas, you can drop off gifts at the Salvation Army on North Cliff Avenue, at the Angel Tree in the Empire Mall or money donations can be dropped in any of the red kettles.