By Karen GutiÈrrez
Cincinnati Enquirer

A desperate situation is developing at a charity store in Cincinnati, which needs Christmas gifts for 1,394 children by next Wednesday but so far has enough for only 850.

Angela Allen works to set up the stock room for the Christmas Store at the Philippus United Church of Christ Friday. (Mike Simons photo) | ZOOM |

The store, operated annually by the multi-faith CityCURE organization, depends on donations of new toys and clothing from suburban churches. But their contributions have dwindled this year, while at the same time more families need help, coordinator Angela Allen says.

"I know God is really big. He certainly knows that all of a sudden we have 1,400 kids we never had before," Ms. Allen says. "I'm really not afraid, but I don't know where those extra gifts will come from."

Parents are referred to the store through area churches. From Dec. 11-14, they pay $7 per child to select gifts totaling at least $35 per child.

HOW TO HELP

What to donate: New, upper-body clothing, $20-$25, for infants to 18-year-olds. New toys, $10-$20, same age range. Sports equipment, educational toys, dolls, Walkman-style radios, etc. No violent or horror-related toys. Where to drop off items: City Gospel Mission, 1419 Elm St., Cincinnati. 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. weekdays until Dec. 12. Donations also accepted this weekend but call first: (513) 241-5525. Information: Diann Wertz at above number.

The approach is great because it preserves the parents' dignity, says Deonne Schenk of Vineyard Community Church in Springdale. It referred 100 families this year, compared to 30 last year.

Parents "get to go in and pick their own gifts," Ms. Schenk says. "They are contributing, so it's not just given to them. It's like a regular shopping experience that anyone would have."

The Vineyard's referrals are up because more families are visiting its MercyWorks outreach center, Ms. Schenk says.

The depressed economy may be a factor, as well as word-of-mouth advertising about the service, she says.

Meanwhile, fewer churches are participating on the donation end of the CityCURE effort.

Some seem to have shifted their focus from Greater Cincinnati children to those in foreign countries, says Ms. Allen, the coordinator.

E-mail kgutierrez@enquirer.com