(WHAS11) - We just got past Halloween but many non-profits are jumping to Christmas.
This week marked the beginning of the holiday donation season.
WHAS11 News spoke to several local charities and as WHAS11’s Rachel Platt found out, they say the challenge this year is making the donations last.
Dwan Turner wheeled her shopping cart up and down the aisles at the Goodwill store on Broadway Friday looking for holiday bargains.
“It really helps out the family and stuff, their needs, because you can find pretty much anything here at Goodwill,” says Dwan Turner.
At St. Joseph's Bargain Barn, other shoppers were taking advantage of charity sales.
“If I can pick up a few little odds and ends for the holidays at a bargain price, then I'm always interested in a bargain,” says shopper Kim Brumleve.
The holiday season is upon us and that means charities, and the people who rely on them are out in full force.
Although it’s been said the recession is over, Louisville's charities say it takes six months to feel an economic rebound. They're more in need of donations than ever.
“We’re not as strong as we historically have been and so that makes it tough because we have to get more out of everything that was donated,” says David Cobb of Goodwill Industries.
“Last year, we served some 15,000 children. This year, in the first week of registration, we had more than 15,000 and it’s a two week registration,” says Bill Klein of Marine Toys for Tots.
Bill Klein volunteers with the Marine Toys for Tots program. The week before Christmas, they pass out gifts to Louisville-area children. But this year, there's more pressure.
“There are so many more children that will now qualify for contributions. This year, we may have to modify that a little, but we will make sure every child gets a toy,” he says.
For those of you who want to help, Toys for Tots will accept donations at the Babies-R-Us store on Shelbyville Road through December 6th.
The Christmas sale benefiting the St. Joseph Children's Home continues until next Monday.
It runs 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. each day.
Louisville's Goodwill stores welcome walk-in donations anytime.
