Salvation Army Distributes Toys to Families in Need

For the last several weeks the Salvation Army has been collecting toys to give to families in need. They’ve been a part of spreading holiday cheer for 150 years. Without their generosity many families in the Twin Cities wouldn’t have toys for their children.

“We just moved here from out of state a couple of months ago,” says Gabriela Haywood who picked up toys for her kids on Tuesday in Brooklyn Park. “We are struggling a bit. I never thought I would be in need. It’s beautiful to be able to do this.”

Haywood just moved to Brooklyn Center from California . She has two young girls under the age of five.

“I have no family here,” added Haywood. “It’s just rough having to go through this on your own.”

If not for the Salvation Army, she says Christmas gifts would be nonexistent.

“A heartfelt thank you to the Salvation Army,” added Haywood with tears in her eyes. “They don’t know how much they are affecting families like ours positively.”

Serving over 7,000 Families in the Twin Cities

At the Salvation Army in Brooklyn Park alone, they are serving around 1,000 families. That equals out to 3 kids per household that have something special to open on Christmas day. Throughout the Twin Cities the nonprofit provides toys for seven thousand families. They pride themselves on making the toy distributions a shopping experience for parents.

“We aren’t just giving them a bag and they walk out the door,” says Cali Budnick with the Salvation Army. “They get to pick out what’s important to their kids, just like someone would be able to if they could afford toys.”

Seeing the smiling faces of parents, is why the Salvation Army continues to be a pathway of hope for those in need.

“We get to be the hands and feet of Christ which is really important,” added Budnick. “I love being able to take care of families and I think it’s what we are meant to do.”