Volunteers with Jefferson County Toys and More feared the coronavirus pandemic might diminish its annual food, clothing and toy drive and make it tougher to provide a happy holiday for families in need all across Jefferson County.
Surprisingly, though, circumstances have provided a new location and a bright future for the event.
“It’s been crazy, with the whole COVID-19 thing,” head volunteer Kathy Ogle said. “But I think this year will end up being even better than before.”
Registration is now open for families in Jefferson County, and the distribution will take place on Saturday, Dec. 19, at the Pevely Flea Market, 8773 Commercial Blvd., in Pevely.
The group works closely with the Jefferson Franklin Community Action Corporation, Toys for Tots, local food pantries and area school counselors to identify and pre-register families dealing with poverty (a common database prevents duplication).
An adult representative of each family is then invited to come and “shop” for toys and clothing to help make the children’s holidays brighter.
“Each child gets new toys, underwear and socks, gloves and hats. Each family member gets a personal hygiene bag, and each family gets a board game,” Ogle said.
In the 2019 distribution, each child got at least five toys, an outfit of clothing, a bag of food and stocking stuffers.
Room to spread out
Ogle, 70, of Bloomsdale started Toys and More in 1983 and has spearheaded the collection and distribution of food, clothing and toys ever since.
“We’ve been at the Eagles (hall in Crystal City) for close to 10 years now, and we’re really outgrowing it,” Ogle said. “They’ve been able to donate the use of it, but starting this year, they were going to have to charge us $700. We understand that, and we are so grateful, but we were looking for something free.”
After someone mentioned the Pevely Flea Market, Ogle contacted owner
Stephen Voyles.
“He asked a lot of questions, and he agreed to let us use the building and property at no charge,” she said. “We just have to pay the heating bill.”
The 24,000-square-foot main building will give Ogle and her army of volunteers nearly 10 times the space to set up and operate the giveaway while maintaining the COVID-19 protocols that help ensure public health safety.
“At the Eagles, we had three mobile containers parked outside with stuff stored in them,” she said. “We had stuff on the stage, stuff everywhere. Sometimes we would have to shut down (the distribution event) for a while so we could go out with dollies and restock.
“This year, we will be able to have everything in the same place, with better parking, and we’ll be able to social distance. People won’t be standing outside waiting for long periods in the cold.”
The Toys and More distribution event is open to Jefferson County families with children under 18.
“The criteria is a total household income not exceeding 150 percent of the federal poverty income guideline,” Ogle said.
The 2020 poverty income guideline is $26,200 for a family of four, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. So, the baseline for Toys and More would be a total household income of less than $39,300.
“When they apply, they need to have documentation of income,” Ogle said. “If the family receives food stamps, they are automatically eligible. Also, they can only apply for assistance for children living in the same home.”
The deadline to apply is Dec. 7.
Changes forced by pandemic
The application process looks a little different this year, Ogle said.
“(Agencies) are not letting clients come in to the office, so they have to do everything by phone,” she said. “We’ve been calling clients from last year. We’re going to have a couple of satellite sites, and we want to get the word out about those.”
Families are encouraged to call Jefferson Franklin Community Action at 636-789-2686; they will be directed to someone who can help with the application process. They also can call Judy, a volunteer, at 314-795-5011 for phone applications.
In-person options also are available.
“They can call Darla, who is the assistant manager at Festus Garden Apartments, at 636-931-4121, and she can set up an in-person appointment there,” Ogle said. “Any local food pantry that is open, clients can do an in-person appointment there. I recommend calling to make sure they are open.
“Or people can always call or email me.”
Once all the applications are turned in to the Community Action office, families will be assigned a time for distribution day.
“We are planning to start at 7 a.m. and go until 5 p.m.,” Ogle said. “We are hoping to serve 60 families an hour. With an assigned time, they won’t wait more than an hour at the most.”
Ogle said the new location has space to design an efficient work flow for the event. “We’ll have everything set up so they can come in one door, register, shop, then leave out another door,” she said. “Maybe that will keep people from coming at midnight and camping out. It was just crazy.”
Still seeking donations
Jefferson County Toys and More is actively seeking donations of cash, toys, food and gifts.
A fundraising pasta dinner is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 8, at VFW Post 3777 in Crystal City. The menu features spaghetti, chicken fettucine, salad, garlic bread and dessert.
“It’s carryout/curbside only,” Ogle said. “You can call in advance or just show up. The cost is $10 for adults, $5 for kids 10 and under. We also have a silent auction on our Facebook page.”
Cash donations may be mailed to HOAF/Toys, P.O. Box 28, Herculaneum, 63048.
Donations of new toys, new clothing and unopened gifts are gratefully accepted.
Donors may drop off items at the Pevely Flea Market starting Dec. 1.
“They should call first to make sure one of us is there,” Ogle said. “We also can have somebody go out and pick it up from them, or even meet them someplace.”
Volunteers are needed to help organize and run the Dec. 19 event.
Contact Ogle at 314-520-1536 or email jeffcotoydist@gmail.com.