Dot Foods is pleased to announce a donation of over 90 gifts and toys to St. Patrick Center and Youth in Need for underprivileged families in need around the holidays.
"This is a special time of year, especially for children," said Dot Foods' St. Louis Charitable Committee Chair Chris Connolly. "Everyone deserves to have a happy holiday and it's our hope that these gifts can be a great start to these families having that."
Funding for the gifts was donated in part from Dot's Charitable Committee and also from employee donations. Along with monetary donations, employees also contributed gifts and toys to the campaign. The 91 gifts will reach 16 families through St. Patrick Center, while Youth in Need is distributing gifts to their Head Start, foster care and counseling programs, residential youth centers and residential homes.
"We're so thankful for donations like this. They help put a smile on so many faces," said Nancy Clark, community relations manager for Youth in Need, a St. Charles-based nonprofit child and family services agency. "Dot has been a great charitable partner for us over the years and it's great to have their continued support."
St. Patrick Center will use the items as part of the agency's commitment to provide housing, employment and health opportunities to more than 9,000 people each year.
"There are many underprivileged and at-risk families in this area," said Christian Niswonger, event specialist at St. Patrick Center. "Gifts like these go a long way for children and their families. It's so important for them to feel included in the holidays."
About St. Patrick Center
St. Patrick Center provides opportunities for self-sufficiency and dignity to people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Individuals and families build permanent, positive change in their lives through safe and affordable housing, sound mental and physical health, and employment and financial stability.
About Youth in Need
Youth In Need, a proud member of the United Way, is an eastern Missouri regional agency serving more than 20,000 children, teens and families each year with residential group homes, homeless street outreach, education, counseling and support groups, foster care case management and infant, child and family development programs.
Youth In Need's mission: Believing in the power of potential, Youth In Need's mission is to provide nurturing environments and educational opportunities so children, youth, and families will find safety and hope, achieve their goals, and build a positive future. Visit www.youthinneed.org to learn more about the continuum of services that Youth In Need is able to provide across six counties.