SFPD’s Toy Drive is on!
Release your inner child—buy a toy for a kid who needs one.
• • • • • • • • November 2024 • • • • • • • •
At the beginning of November, SFPD announced that it is asking for donations from the community to help needy families. Last year the San Francisco Police Department collected and distributed over 6,000 toys.
November 8th was the kick-off of its annual toy drive; SFPD officials asked that anyone wanting to donate can purchase or drop off a new, unwrapped toy at any San Francisco Walgreens or any district police station.
For the past nine years, SFPD has worked in collaboration with Walgreens. “At Walgreens, we believe in being a partner in the communities and neighborhoods we serve,” said Quyen Trinh, Store Manager at Walgreens on California Street - (not far from Laurel Village and Jordan Park).
“With that said, we are thrilled to host this event.” And, taking the opportunity to mention, Trinh added, “we are also here to provide flu immunizations to our Veterans for the seventh year in a row.”
While Walgreens has experienced setbacks due to a rise in competition from online internet sales, resulting in the closure of many locations, the presence of Walgreens in San Francisco remains.
In addition to serving as a pharmacy, Walgreens has replaced the longtime “Five & Dime” stores that used to be in neighborhoods like the Sunset, Richmond & Parkside Districts.
As more San Francisco families rely on assistance in some way, such as food banks and prepared meals, SFPD is asking for the community to be generous.”
For many in San Francisco, especially ‘out in the Avenues’ and the Westside of the City, Walgreens is the ‘go-to-place’ for frequent shoppers.
Walgreens offers many brands of toys for all ages. From the familiar and traditional LEGO sets to something new and exciting like a Pickleball set, Walgreens has something for just about every child.
And Walgreens has some of the holiday season’s most popular toys; even those toys listed on Good Housekeeping’s “Hottest Toys List” for 2024.
As more San Francisco families rely on assistance in some way, such as food banks and prepared meals, SFPD is asking for the community to be generous.
In 2023, the San Francisco Department of Public Health reported that food insecurity increased by at least 32 percent.
The San Francisco Chronicle recently reported that more than 870,000 people remain food insecure in the wider San Francisco Bay Area.
As inflation continues and wage stagnation causes many people to do without, families with children struggle. For some families, toys are out of reach as food on the table is more important.
Officials at SFPD note that when the community responds generously to needs, it makes a profound and positive difference.
Trinh reiterated that. “We are also extremely proud to be collaborating with the San Francisco Police and the community to collect new toys for underserved children in San Francisco.”
And, said Trinh, “we hope we can help provide a happy holiday season for kids throughout the local area.”
The annual toy drive collects unwrapped gifts at all 40 Walgreens stores in the City and all SFPD stations. They will collect toys from November through Friday, December 20th .
The police department will collect toys and donate them to needy children this holiday season. Last year, San Franciscans donated 6,000 toys at the City’s Walgreens stores.
Jonathan Farrell is a local reporter.
November 2024
