Heartland Hope Mission provides more than just food. They also offer clothing, hygiene and special holiday programs as well as financial classes and job information.
Chelsea Salifou, Executive Director for Heartland Hope Mission, says they work with families in many ways to help them get back on their feet.
This year, the mission has 1,400 kids registered for their Christmas program. Salifou says that’s 200 more than last year.
She says for those who are looking for ways to help, Heartland Hope Mission is accepting new, unwrapped toys all this week for kids ages newborn-17.
"We have a huge party with face painting and a bounce house. They can also get a family photo or a picture with Santa Claus. And then the parents get to go shopping for the kids’ toys. So they will get to choose presents for their kids and then they’ll also get wrapping paper so they can wrap the gifts for their kids.”
Salifou says parents will also get to take a turkey or a ham home that day to have for their holiday meal.
She says a donation of $124 provides a month supply of food for a family of four which breaks down to just .33 cents a meal.