Thank you, everyone, for making the Toys for Tots an incredible offering of the greatest toys! I hope all of you can imagine those smiling faces on Christmas Day when the gifts are eagerly opened. Everyone can remember those days of delight for sure! Special thanks to Vidya and Madhuri for having a beautiful shopping spree for others, and bringing so many things for Austin Street and Toys for Tots in a surprise visit! Wow! And thank you, Laksmi and Raga, for more great clothes, food, and toys.. Thank you, Maitri and Supriya, for organizing, collecting and delivering the toys! Thank you everyone for sacrificing for others to have a great Christmas and blessed year!

Hoping everyone has a happy holiday season, enjoying the moments! There was a great article in AARP about Tina Turner, who suffered demoralizing abuse as a child, and mostly as a wife. Through it all, she said that she had learned to cherish the moments in life, enjoying and taking note of the preciousness of small things, that life was made up of these things, the small things that often go unnoticed in the rush of life, the true gifts and treasures of life, “heartfelt focus”. We so appreciate all the kindnesses shown this year from each and all in supporting other souls who are extremely challenged, forgetting our own struggles in the giving.

The last pickup for this year will be this coming Monday, the 14th. We will be taking a break, and will resume the service after the New Year begins. Please find below the items requested by the Austin Street Shelter, so if you have anything you would like to end the year with that we can pick up on Monday, please let us know by Sunday noon. We will text you and let you know on Sunday evening what time we will be by. If you have not heard from us, please give us a call, and we will get you on the schedule.

Thanks again for all your encouragement and support in 2020!

Please, no children’s items or household goods. Clothing donations should be clean and in good condition and neatly in boxes or on hangers.

Frozen Breakfast foods only like waffles, pancakes (frozen), frozen breakfast sandwiches (please no meat as this is a vegetarian service) ONLY frozen, as they do have a place to store these. I did mention Beyond Vegetarian Sausage and she was ok with that.

Special request for bottles of baby oil (the folks there like it for dry skin)

Especially XL and XXL underwear for both men and women

INDIVIDUAL cereal boxes (not large boxes) and no milk, as they have plenty. (can be found on Amazon)

INDIVIDUAL water bottles

INDIVIDUAL juice boxes

No granola bars are needed as they have too many at this point, and actually nothing else is needed but the things above.

  • Sanitizing Wipes (must contain 60% alcohol)
  • Antibacterial Hand Soap (individual container or refill bottle)
  • Clamshell Take-Out Food Containers (to use for serving meals). See Amazon Wish List
  • Individual packets of sugar and creamer
  • Large and extra-large underwear for men and women
  • Flip flops or shower shoes
  • High strength reading glasses
  • Feminine products: pads and panty liners
  • Ethnic haircare products (oil-based shampoo and conditioner, edge control hair gel, herbal gro)
  • Disposable razors
  • Towels (new or gently used)
  • Twin-size Blankets or Throws
  • Jeans
  • Short-sleeved t-shirts (for men and women)
  • Shoes (for men and women), preferably tennis shoes and shower shoes

Have a relaxing holiday season! With love and blessings, Eric Biskamp 214-235-8324 and Shakti Biskamp 214-394-0583