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The TODAY toy drive has been a beloved tradition for more than 25 years. Since its inception, viewers have helped to make it special each and every year by showing up in Rockefeller Plaza with toys to donate to kids and families in need. While the toy drive is going virtual this year, it's especially important right now to support our communities this holiday season.
TODAY is working with Walmart Registry for Good, which helps nonprofits share their needs, whether it be food, clothing or toys. Each week, we'll update this list with another featured organization.
This week, we're featuring two: Little Essentials and Lotus House. To make a purchase, click the name of the respective organizations here or below to visit its Walmart Registry for Good page, select your items and check out online. The items are sent directly to the organization.
Little Essentials
Little Essentials, a Brooklyn-based organization, helps provide "at-risk families living in poverty with urgently needed children’s supplies and parenting education to promote the health, wellbeing and safety of their children under five years of age," according to the organization's website. Since 2011, Little Essentials has helped over 50,000 children. This time of year, Little Essentials is looking for diapers, baby toys, face masks and more.
Lotus House
Lotus House, created by the Sundari Foundation, serves 1,000 women annually and 500 women and children daily, according to their website. The establishment provides shelter, access to services such as medical and mental health care, parenting education and much more. This holiday season, they're seeking donations for bedding supplies, such as pillows, sheets and blankets.
Jumpstart for Young Children
Jumpstart focuses on giving attention to children before they enter kindergarten and to advance "equitable learning outcomes for young children in underserved communities by recruiting and supporting caring adults to deliver high-quality programming to children and drive systems change through teaching, advocacy, and leadership," according to the organization's mission statement.
Heritage Youth Sports Foundation
The Minneapolis-based Heritage Youth Sports Foundation uses sports and athletic growth to promote sportsmanship, self-esteem and the development of life skills. This holiday season, they are seeking donations for games, toys, sports equipment and more.