'Tis the Season of Giving and no one needs your help more than the homeless at this time.

To help make it easy for you to give Annika's Art Shop and the Little Hippie & Company are organizing a Toy Drive & Pantry Collection to support The Coalition for the Homeless on December 13th from 6-8 pm in Williamsburg at the Little Hippie store located at 250 Kent Ave.

Sadly nearly 18,000 children in New York City will spend this holiday season in homeless shelters. Let’s ensure these kids don’t miss out on the magic and warmth the holidays have to offer.

Here's how you can help:

Please bring an unwrapped new Toy or Food Pantry to gift.

Suggested/Requested Food Items are:

• Peanut Butter

• Jelly

• Soft Granola Bars

• Trail Mix

• Soups

• Oatmeal

• Cereal/Cereal Bars

• Crackers

• Packaged meats (chicken, tuna, vienna sausages, corned beef, etc.)

• Packaged fruits (including applesauce, fruit cups, peaches, etc.)

• Microwavable meals

• On-the-go snacks

• Juice boxes/jars

*Please note The Coalition for the Homeless cannot accept canned foods unless they have a pull tab.

Live music will be provided by Little Hippie staff, Sophia Bondi and Frances Rodriquez, and artists Annika Connor and Taylor Swope will be on hand collecting goods onsite on December 13th from 6-8 pm.

We will then deliver the items to The Coalition to the Homeless the following day and they will distribute the gifts and food to those in need.

Need an idea of what toys to give?

• Check out The Coalition for the Homeless's Amazon Wish List. If you would like a tax receipt, please complete this form.

• Want to give money instead? Then please make a donation to support the Holiday Toy Drive.

Not able to attend? No worries! You may drop off an unwrapped new gift at the Little Hippie Store before the event during normal store hours, or you may buy a gift online from The Coalition for the Homeless's Amazon Wish List and have it shipped directly to the Coalition's offices.

To get you in the holiday spirit and to encourage you out of the house, we suggest that you dress in your best holiday or Santa gear when attending this event as photographers will be on hand to capture the fun!

Please note, this event is open to all ages. So while we will be serving complimentary holiday cookies, this is a non-alcoholic event, so those who are over 21 who are interested in gathering for a cup of cheer will be directed to a nearby pub where we will gather for a seasonal toast after the collection is complete.

Since this is an indoor and in-person event, please be sensible and stay home if you are experiencing any COVID-related symptoms.

This event is FREE to attend, but please RSVP so the organizers can get an estimated head count. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tis-the-season-of-giving-holiday-toy-drive-pantry-collection-tickets-482033634577