Gifts and Volunteers needed for Shop for Your Kids

Toys, Games, Puzzles and Volunteers for Shop For Your Kids Day

Image of candy canesImagine what the holidays would be like if your children didn’t have toys to open. Sadly, many local families find themselves struggling to pay their health insurance, rent, heat, food, and medical bills, with little or no money left over for holiday gifts. With your help, the holidays can still be a magical time for hundreds of local children.

Shop for Your Kids Day will be held on Thursday, December 14th at the Bob Eisengrein Community Center, 100 Sherman Avenue, Devens for registered Loaves & Fishes clients. Last year, 352 of our clients’ children received new toys, games, puzzles, books, jewelry and gift cards, all donated by generous residents and companies from nearby towns. Many of these children would not have received anything without this program. Thanks to the efforts of the more than 100 volunteers working to prepare and run the event, these children received gifts from their parents or guardians.

When you are out doing your “Black Friday” or holiday shopping for your kids, grandkids or other relatives, please consider buying a game, puzzle or toy or donating a gift card to Shop for Your Kids. We are asking for new, unwrapped gifts, valued up to $25 (for children 12 and younger), as well as gift cards in denominations of $10, $15, $25, or $30 and other gifts for teens. We are most in need of gifts for ‘tween and teen boys.

You may drop off toys any time at the Ayer, Groton, Devens, Littleton, and Shirley police departments and post offices; Littleton High School; and Donelan’s in Littleton and Groton, Middlesex Savings Bank, and other locations. Gifts and donations may be delivered directly to the Eisengrein Community Center from 6:00pm to 8:00pm on November 27, 5:00pm to 7:00pm on December 3, 6:00pm to 8:00pm on December 4, 10am to noon on December 9, and 6:00pm to 8:00pm on December 11.

Due to storage space constraints, we would prefer that gifts not be delivered directly to the pantry. However, if necessary, they can be brought to Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry, 234 Barnum Road, Devens, any Wednesday and Friday morning between Thanksgiving and December 11th, or on Saturday morning, December 9.

Can you help us set up the toy distribution room on Saturday morning December 9th or work at the event on Thursday December 14th (morning or evening)? Just e-mail Karen at LFShop4YourKids@gmail.com and let us know It’s an amazing experience – one that will keep you smiling for weeks! Thank you for helping so many children have a happy holiday.

Gift and Gift Theme Suggestions

For Girls

  • Disney Doc McStuffins
  • Frozen
  • Play Food
  • Dress up clothes
  • Superhero (Avengers, Spiderman, Batman, Superman)
  • Sophia the First
  • Legos
  • Disney Princess
  • Jewelry Making Kit
  • Shopkins
  • Minions
  • Mickey Mouse and Friends
  • Little Living Pets
  • Dreamworks Trolls
  • Littlest Pet Shop
  • Project Mc2Dolls
  • Moana

For Boys

  • Spy Toys
  • PJ Mask
  • Power Rangers
  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
  • Superhero (Avengers, Spiderman, Batman, Superman)
  • Paw Patrol
  • Nerf
  • Legos
  • Sports team items
  • Tools
  • Disney Cars
  • Skate Board
  • Thomas and Friends
  • Mickey Mouse and Friends
  • Star Wars
  • Ninjago
  • Pokemon
  • Minions
  • Minecraft
  • Magformers

For Teens

  • Adult Coloring Books
  • Color Pens, Pencils and Markers for Adult Coloring Books
  • Air Hogs (Remote Control Helicopter)
  • Make-up
  • Pokemon Cards
  • Art Supplies
  • Marvel and DC Comic
  • Emoji Items
  • Nerf Items
  • Sports Team Items
  • Hair Supplies
  • Scarves
  • Hats (Knit and Baseball Cap)
  • Gloves
  • Remote Control Car
  • Minions
  • Minecraft
  • Leggings

PLEASE – NO BASKETBALLS, MATCHBOX CARS, BARBIE DOLLS, OR TODDLER TOYS