Supporting our Community

How Toys for Tots Works

The U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is directed by the Commander, Marine Forces Reserve, with the assistance of his staff, from the Marine Forces Reserve Headquarters in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, an IRS recognized 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charity, is the authorized fundraising and support organization for the Toys for Tots Program.  The Foundation provides the funding and support needed for successful annual toy collection and distribution campaigns.

Local campaigns are conducted annually in over 700 communities covering all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.  One individual, either a Marine, member of a Marine Corps League Detachment, or member of a local community organization, is designated the Toys for Tots Coordinator for that community.  The Coordinator is responsible for planning, organizing and conducting the campaign in his/her community.

Local toy collection campaigns begin in October and last until mid to late December.  Toy distribution also takes place mid to late December.  Members of the community drop new, unwrapped toys in collection boxes positioned in local businesses.  Coordinators pick up these toys and store them in central warehouses where the toys are sorted by age and gender.  At Christmas, Coordinators, with the assistance of local social welfare agencies, church groups, and other local community agencies, distribute the toys to the less fortunate children of the community.  Over the years, Marines have established close working relationships with social welfare agencies, churches and other local community agencies which are well qualified to identify the needy children in the community and play important roles in the distribution of the toys.

While Toys for Tots Coordinators organize, coordinate and manage the campaign, the ultimate success depends on the support of the local community and the generosity of the people who donate toys.

Local business leaders play key roles.  They allow Coordinators to locate drop-off/collection boxes in their stores; provide free warehouse space for storing and sorting toys during October, November and December; provide vehicles to collect toys from drop-off sites; sponsor toy raising events; and help Coordinators arrange media exposure for Toys for Tots in the local community.

Lunches of Love, is a non-profit organization, is committed to helping end childhood hunger in Rosenberg-Richmond by providing a free nutritious sack lunch during extended school holidays and weekends.

WISH LIST:

• Granola bars
• Peanut butter or cheese filled crackers
• Goldfish (individual or bulk)
• Individual fruit cups and applesauce
• Fruit juice boxes
• Jif peanut butter (to-go sizes)

Children who rely on free or reduced lunch during the school year go home to little or no meals on weekends.  With your help, Lunches of Love is working hard to end the very real problem of childhood hunger in our community.

Many children living in families facing food insecurity rely on school lunch as their only meal of the day.  Lunches of Love is here to help fill the gap during extended school holidays (spring break, summer vacation, Thanksgiving and Christmas break) and weekends. We offer children in need a nutritious sack lunch and a snack.

HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS:

On Fridays, approximately 1,200 children will take home healthy nonperishable care packages. The counselor or school appointed coordinator ensures that the proper children receive these take-home meals.  The food is given to the children in a very discreet manner.