Annual Food & Toys for Tots Drive

This holiday season, On Top of the World Communities is partnering not only with the local not-for-profit organization Interfaith Emergency Services (IES) but also with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots.

On Top of the World is IES’s designated “Bring the Harvest All Year Long” food drive champion for December. Residents and employees have always been very generous in donating large amounts of non-perishable food items and various sundries during the drive. A donation of 7,101 pounds of food was given in 2023. With this in mind, we are asking again this year for any help you can lend. This year, we have set a goal to collect 7,500 pounds of food.

As you can see by the following message, the need has never been greater:

“Except for the grace of God, there go I.”
Do you find yourself saying that more often these days? That is why Interfaith Emergency Services exists. IES is here to help people make ends meet when times get tough. Over the past year, we have seen an average of 130 new clients turning to our food pantry for monthly help. Many are from hard-working families and retirees who have worked their whole lives, but retirement plans don’t count on economic times like these. With the support from those who can help, no one needs to go without a meal. If everyone donates even one can of beans or one box of pasta, God will bless it and make it enough so that we never have to turn anyone away. Please consider helping if you can during this year’s food drive. As always, we at IES and the people we support are so grateful.”

Thank you,
Karla Grimsley
Executive Director, Interfaith Emergency Services

The following items are needed:

Food Items:

Canned Vegetables & Fruit
Peanut Butter (plastic container)
Jelly or Jam (plastic container)
Canned Meats (tuna, chicken)
Canned Soup
Canned Spaghetti Sauce (26 oz)
Macaroni & Cheese
Cereal and Oatmeal
Canned Beans
Pasta & Rice
Coffee or Tea
Hamburger Helper Meals
Fruit Cups (lunch box size)
Instant Oatmeal (single serve)
Pop Tarts
Ramen Dry Noodle Soup Packets
Pudding Cups (lunch box size)

Hygiene Items:

Shampoo & Conditioner
Deodorant
Feminine Products (pads)
Diapers (all sizes)
Toothpaste
Razors & Shaving Cream
Bar Soap
Toilet Paper
Combs
Baby Wipes
Toothbrushes
Cloth Bags
Used Plastic Bags

The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys each year and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the local area.

The 2024 Food and Toys for Tots drive will take place from Monday, Dec. 2, through Monday, Dec. 16. Your donation of any of the above-listed items would be of great help. Please place your item(s) in one of the collection boxes below.

Let us all join in making this effort a success and reflecting on the caring community On Top of the World, especially for those in need!