Mankato Toys for Tots distributes gifts to over 3,000 kids

MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) - Mankato Toys for Tots hosted their toy distribution Saturday.

The program, which collects new, unwrapped toys for kids in need, distributed gifts to over 3,000 children this year.

Children from infants to 14 year-olds received prebagged toys donated from area locals.

This year, there was a 12 percent increase in families who needed gifts.

Thanks to the Mankato area, 1,156 families and 3,155 children were served.

“It’s different to see. It’s more of a reality [that] comes to play when you see all of the cars coming through. We had to do two cars a minute to get everybody through in six hours, and we’re probably not gonna quite make our goal, but it’s going to be close,” said volunteer Bernie Thompson.

Though fewer volunteers were able to help with distribution this year, a handful of veterans came together to make it happen.