Looking to gather about 1,200 toys

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake food bank is gathering toys for underprivileged children to enjoy for Christmas.

Operation Friendship is a toy drive conducted for low income children in Moses Lake, Assistant Executive Director Peny Archer said.

Archer hopes to get toys to all the children in need.

"We actually had to turn parents away (last year)," she said. "That was heartbreaking."

Last year there were more than 1,200 children in need and there were not enough toys for everyone, Archer said.

"It's hard to get that many toys for that many children," Archer said.

She expects many more children this year.

They are looking for all types of toys, she said. So far nearly 100 toys are collected.

Monetary donations are accepted too.

"If it is obvious we are running short on an age group, shoppers get that stuff," she said about monetary donations.

All toys donated go to Moses Lake children, she said. All the money collected goes to purchasing toys because everyone working with the program is a volunteer, she added.

On Monday parents can sign their children up to receive a toy at the Community Services building. Parents can pick up toys on Dec. 23.

The food bank is located in the Community Services building at 1075 Marina Drive. They are open Monday through Thursday, noon to 3:45 p.m.