Donations of toys and cash are down this year for the Center for People in Need's Toyland for Kids toy distribution this coming weekend.

"Everybody's hurting this year, both the low-income families we serve and our donors. We saw this during our Thanksgiving food distribution and now we're seeing it for Toyland for Kids," said Beatty Brasch, executive director of the Center for People in Need. "We're hoping that our donors, and maybe those who haven't given to us before, will think of children this holiday season and donate a new toy or two or a few dollars so we can buy toys to help these kids who otherwise wouldn't receive a gift."

Especially needed are toys for boys ages 9 to 12, but toys for any age are welcome.

Toyland for Kids is this weekend, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19, and 3-7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 20, at the Center for People in Need, 3901 N. 27th St. Unit 1. New, unwrapped toys may be brought to the main office at Door 1 (the westernmost door on the south side of the building). Office hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays.

The Center for People in Need can now take online donations through a link on the website, which can be found through the link below, or checks can be mailed to the Center for People in Need, 3901 N. 27th St. Unit 1, Lincoln, NE 68521. Donations are tax deductible.