CHICAGO (WBBM) — A pastor in the West Pullman neighborhood who usually provides Christmas toys to hundreds of needy children says he missed a deadline this year – and because of that, he says the toy chest is bare.
“I’m upset mainly with myself because I should have checked,” said Pastor Virgil Jones.
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Jones, of Mother Jones Food Pantry, says he usually gets most of the Christmas toys for needy children from the Marine Toys for Tots program.
But this year, he says, the deadline for requests was moved up. Unbeknownst to him. And when he called Toys for Tots, it was too late.
“We won’t be getting anything from them this year.”
Pastor Jones says more than 500 children from infancy to age 13 need toys, and he says he’d also like for about 100 needy children from 13 to 17 to get something.
“We’re just between a rock and a hard place, and I just wish someone would reach out and help us.”
Pastor Jones says if he does manage to find some toys, he’ll give them out at a party on Christmas Eve.
For more information, check the website: motherjonesfoodpantry.com, or call Pastor Jones at 773-301-3053.
Pastor Jones is associated with Noble Evangelistic Ministries in West Pullman and the adjacent food pantry, 711 West 120th Street, Chicago.
