EASTON, Pa. — Two donation drives at City Hall aim to help support area families through the holiday season.
The annual Toys for Tots drive is this year joined by a food drive, with both collections based out of the building, 123 S. Third St.
“I think the need for food is not a seasonal or yearly challenge, that is a year-to-year issue that we always have to deal with, and that's not going away, no matter how many times people try to snap it away with their fingers,” Brandon Sullivan, the city's sustainability coordinator, said.
“So, hopefully, this food donation box becomes a consistent yearly drive effort, along with the internal food drive that the city already does, and the Toys for Tots drive, the drive that the city does.”
Toys for Tots
The Toys for Tots drive, organized and run by Easton's Human Resources Department, runs through Dec. 10.
“So, every little individual toy, especially in the city of our size, matters a lot. You know, that one toy can make or break a kid's Christmas, and that says something.”Brandon Sullivan, city sustainability coordinator
“I think now, especially with the cost of living being so high, a lot of families are going to be hard pressed to choose between rising electricity cost, food on the table — holiday dinner — gifts for the kids or rent,” Sullivan said.
“So, every little individual toy, especially in the city of our size, matters a lot. You know, that one toy can make or break a kid's Christmas, and that says something.”
Residents can drop off brand new, unwrapped toys at the collection box.
“When you residents come into City Hall, and they specifically want to donate to Toys for Tots, we do have a greeter downstairs who can guide you to that box,” Sullivan said.
“I believe it's on the second or third story. You can just take the elevator up and then put it in the box. It's convenient. I think if you're coming to pay your bills or if you have to talk to someone in City Hall, it can be a very convenient way to still donate to a charitable and a good cause.”
The chapter of Toys for Tots that covers both Lehigh and Northampton counties last year distributed nearly 132,000 toys, supporting 32,132 children, according to its website.
Food drive
While city staff annually participate in an internal food drive to help support hungry residents, this year, officials decided to open it up to the public, too.
Sullivan said he took inspiration from City Councilwoman Crystal Rose’s recent efforts, as well as the recent pause on SNAP benefits during the federal government shutdown.
Earlier this month, Rose held a food drive at the Easton Farmers' Market, with donations going to ProJeCt of Easton and The Neighborhood Center.
“This food drive donation box really was there to help supplement a very chaotic, unaffordable and unreachable time for a lot of members in this community and the general area around Easton,” Sullivan said.
“People deserve to eat. People deserve to eat no matter who you are, what you are, what you do in your life. I think that's a basic necessity, and everyone has the right to it.”
The donation box is situated in the lobby of City Hall, and will be there through Dec. 12.
Already, Sullivan has taken 31 pounds of donated food, equivalent to 31 meals, to The Neighborhood Center, he said. He plans on dispersing donations to area food pantries and banks as the donation box fills.
“Generally speaking, I would say, consider [donating] canned goods that don't need additional material or additional supplies to be able to be cooked,” he said.
“Peanut butter is great. Pasta is great. Rice cereal — all of those are really great options where, really, if you do need anything additional, it’s just water, and that's a lot more accessible and easy to get.”
Because both donation boxes are in City Hall, residents can only donate during open hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
