Thousands of San Diego residents will have a brighter holiday season this year thanks to a local organization.
The annual Holiday Baskets Program kicked off at the Del Mar Fair Grounds Friday and continues this weekend. This year a record number of families signed up for this program and there is still a waiting list of people who are hoping they can still participate.
Organizers have been working on this event for the last six months. Low income families get to pick out bikes for their children, toys, clothing, baby blankets, strollers and diapers.
"All of a sudden you find yourself out of work and many families live pay check to pay check in terms of paying rent., so this is going to allow them to have a holiday Christmas for their families that they may not have been able to afford," Community Resource Center Spokesperson Laurin Pause said.
1,200 families signed up for the program in November. Shoppers say what helps out the most in their household are food donations.
"It helps a lot, a lot, a lot, especially the food. I have a 13 year old and he's been eating like a horse," shopper Estela Li said.
This year food donations have descreased by about a third from last year. Donations will be accepted Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
