Citizen Staff Writer
By IRENE HSIAO
ihsiao@tucsoncitizen.com
The Holiday Sharing Center has been moved to Foothills Mall.
The center, in its 19th year, wanted to be in a busier location, said Amy Brazier, its coordinator. Visits to El Con had dropped in recent years.
This year’s goal is to raise $200,000, she said. The center at the mall has taken in $1,000 in donations. Another $15,000 to $20,000 has been mailed in, Brazier said.
About 15,000 food boxes are distributed to families through more than 30 local organizations, she said. The center distributed 7,000 Thanksgiving food boxes, and 8,000 will be distributed for Christmas, Brazier said.
She encouraged would-be donors to contribute cash, not canned goods from their kitchens, because it’s easier to assemble food boxes from scratch instead of incorporating donated items.
The change in location hasn’t had a big impact on donations, she said.
“I’m fairly certain we’re about the same pace as we were last year in terms of the donations,” Brazier said. “I think the bulk of the donations come in just before Christmas.”
The center is in a trailer parked near Barnes & Noble Booksellers at the mall, 7325 N. La Cholla Blvd. It is accepting toys and nonperishable food items.
TO DONATE
Toys, nonperishable food items and money donations can be dropped off at the Holiday Sharing Center during Foothills Mall hours through the holidays.
Hours may vary; call the mall, 742-7191, for updates.
Donations can also be mailed to the Holiday Sharing Center, P.O. Box 64867, Tucson, AZ 85728-4867.
For more information, call 323-1303 Ext. 220 or visit www.holidaysharingcenter.org/.