b'but after the first year, the parentsRice, DMin. They donated them to insisted on paying something,us, and we made them available to Angela said. The items are discount- our men to give to their kids. ed so it wont break budgets, butThis church donation inspired the [parents] are the ones providing forstaff in the early 1990s to collect toys their families. from supportive churches and other Each HousewarmingThis year, an anticipated 200community members. Today, staff Box includes a plasticparents will shop for 600 kids at aand volunteers give toys to dads and Cincinnati church that houses thegrandpas theyre assisting and to tote of householdfour-day-long store. Shoppers payrecent program graduates. More just $10 per child for wrappingthan 1,500 men have benefited from itemssuch as bedsupplies and two new gifts: eitherthe Toy Giveaway for 8,000 of their linens, cleaningtwo toys, or one toy and one piecechildren and grandchildren. of clothing. The idea of our Toy Giveaway supplies, and kitchenPhiladelphias Whosoever Gospelis to allow dads in our program to Mission organizes a similar seasonalselect, wrap, and give gifts to their essentialsand a boxeffortthe Toy Giveawaywithchildren, Heather said. Its a way of hygiene items,a somewhat different approach. to help the bridge-building thats [A local church] had some giftshappening between them and including towels, soap,left over from a toy giveaway theytheir families.did, said Executive Director HeatherAbout a week before Christmas, \x02 and toothbrushes, worth a total of $150 to $200. Using a detailed list, supporters package each containers contents and add a Christmas greeting.Photo courtesy of Denver Rescue MissionNOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 WWW.CITYGATENETWORK.ORG 27'