South County Outreach seeks toy donations for local children

The annual South County Outreach toy drive is under way. The local nonprofit is seeking new toys for younger children and gift items for teens whose families are unable to afford holiday presents.

South County Outreach provides food and housing programs to 3,000 people each month and almost half are children. Once a year the organization’s food pantry is transformed into a toy store and parents can choose from a variety of donated gifts for their children. Toy donations are accepted through Dec. 18.

Recommended donations include:

· Arts and crafts sets

· Books for children and teens

· Learning toys

· Hero action figures

· Board games

· Soccer balls, footballs and basketballs

· Legos

· Toy cars and trucks

· Pajamas, slippers and socks

· Spa gift sets and nail polish

· Curling irons, flat irons, blow dryers

· Purses and wallets

· Movie tickets

· Gift cards for teens: Target, Forever 21, H&M, Kohl’s

In addition to the holiday toy drive, South County Outreach is also seeking food donations and requesting holiday food drives. Local businesses, organizations, faith groups, service clubs and individual host food drives – often in conjunction with their holiday functions – can collect nonperishable food as well as monetary contributions to fund fresh food. The food pantry is busy during the holidays and these donations go a long way toward providing holiday meals. To host a food drive, call 949-380-8144, ext. 203.

For the past 26 years, South County Outreach has been providing hunger and homelessness prevention services to low-income individuals and families in crisis. South County Outreach helps the under-employed and the unemployed reach self-sufficiency by providing the following services: food pantry, rapid rehousing, utility and rental assistance, homelessness prevention counseling, computer training and clothing from our Upscale Resale thrift store.

Based in Irvine, South County Outreach serves the communities of Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano.