The Multi-Service Center’s (MSC) “Christmas House” program is reporting that toy donations for the program are light so far, prompting worries that they may not be able to fulfill the needs of children and families around the region when Christmas Day arrives.

“Because we have one week less between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, we are afraid that we won’t have enough toys and gifts for all the children of the families who use the Federal Way Food Bank,” said Jan Gibson, Christmas House co-chair.

According to MSC, the Christmas House program provided more than 900 MSC families with gifts for their children in 2012. MSC and Christmas House anticipate that 2013 will see an increased demand, following the trends of the last few years since the economic downturn. Christmas House co-chair Debra Hansen said in these difficult times, Christmas should be the one time that all can enjoy.

“We want every child to have something to open on Christmas morning, to be smiling, and not to be worried for at least one day,” Hansen said.

There are multiple locations to drop off toy donations for children from infants to age 18. MSC encourages donations at The Giving Tree, located in The Commons Mall. Boeing Employees Credit Union, Centerstage Theatre, Columbia Bank, the Federal Way Farmer’s Market, Red Canoe Credit Union, Sterling Bank and Woodstone Credit Union are also participating in the toy drive. MSC needs all the gifts by Dec. 15 so they can get them wrapped and distributed to their families.

To learn more, visit www.multi-servicecenter.com.