With less than two weeks before Christmas, Pastor Kenyatta Smith of Another Chance Church issued an urgent plea Monday for public support to help close a critical gap in donations for the 14th Annual Operation Cover Chicago, the city’s largest toy distribution for children in need. Surrounded by elected officials, community leaders, and volunteers, Smith announced that the toy drive is still 9,000 toys short of its 30,000-toy goal.
Operation Cover Chicago, founded by Another Chance Church, has become a lifeline for thousands of families across the city who continue to struggle amid rising inflation, elevated unemployment, and lingering financial distress linked to earlier delays in SNAP benefits. Smith said those economic pressures have made it impossible for many parents to provide gifts for their children this holiday season.
“Parents simply don’t have the resources to offer their children a productive Christmas holiday,” Smith said. “We’ve seen steady donations since our first appeal, but we are still far short of where we need to be. The number of children expected to line up on December 22 has now exceeded 5,000.”
Each year, families arrive outside the church—located at 9550 S. Harvard—before sunrise, hoping to secure holiday gifts they otherwise could not afford. Volunteers and supporters recall lines stretching around the block, with children leaving the event clutching dolls, bikes, board games, headphones, action figures, and learning toys.
This year, however, the organization finds itself caught in an economic storm that has driven toy prices up by as much as 70 percent, straining Operation Cover Chicago’s already tight budget. Smith said the dramatic price increases have made it nearly impossible to keep pace with the organization’s historic level of giving.
“Inflation and massive layoffs have hurt families all across Chicago, and those same forces have crippled our toy budget,” Smith said. “We are praying for a 14th-hour Santa—whether individuals, churches, businesses, or corporations—who will step in and help us make Christmas possible for thousands of children.”
Community partners and clergy have echoed the call. Bishop Larry D. Trotter of Sweet Holy Spirit Church urged supporters across Illinois to stand behind Operation Cover Chicago.
“For Pastor Smith and Operation Cover Chicago to continue this act of service, generous people must dig deep,” Trotter said. “This is an 11th-hour clarion call. Their goal is to bring joy to children who would otherwise go without. We need the community to help meet that goal.”
The annual toy distribution, held December 22, has grown into one of Chicago’s largest holiday events. Photos from previous years show families smiling as children receive new bicycles, scooters, dolls, STEM toys, and holiday gift sets. Volunteers—many dressed in festive shirts and elf hats—are pictured handing gifts to children bundled in winter coats, capturing the spirit that Operation Cover Chicago hopes to recreate again this year.
But reaching this year’s 30,000-toy goal remains a challenge.
Smith said recent donations have brought in thousands of toys, but the organization is still facing a significant deficit and needs immediate support to purchase additional gifts before distribution day.
Residents and supporters are encouraged to donate $50 for one child, $250 for a family of five, and $500 for a family of ten. Monetary donations can be made through GoFundMe at https://gofund.me/1f9a12f7d, via Cash App at $OCCHICAGO, or by texting OCC25 to 44321. Checks may also be made payable to Another Chance Church.
“We’ve never turned a child away,” Smith said. “Our promise for 14 years has been to bring smiles to over 5,000 children. With the community’s support, we will keep that promise again this Christmas.”
For more information, visit Another Chance Church’s Facebook page or call (773) 253-7474.