The Sunnyvale Community Services (SCS) opened its annual Community Christmas Center to help families in need on this holiday season.

There are dozens of green and red shelves are filled with pajamas, Barbie dolls, teddy bears, sports balls and other gifts waiting to be given away.

According to the SCS volunteers, they give each family a shopping cart to store three toys per child. Gifts for teenagers and infants are ready to be wrapped and placed under the tree.

The organization aims to serve over 1,000 families this year, an increase from the 925 they served in during last year. SCS says rising rental prices have increased the number of families looking for help.

Carolyn Alexander, director of operations at Sunnyvale Community Services said that, “Every family wants to provide a wonderful holiday experience for their children, and so families will buy the presents if they can afford it or if they can’t afford it.”

"Then what ends up happening is when January shows up, they don’t have enough money to cover rent.”

“That’s what we’re in the business to do to make sure people can cover their rent and to provide a wonderful experience for their children and their families,” Alexander added.

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Nandini