Kate Mock, 34, of Nuremberg, stood holding her 9-month-old son, Jacob Vega, outside Foursquare Gospel Church in Pottsville on Wednesday waiting for toys and food for Christmas.
Mock wasn't the only one there to receive help from the Salvation Army's holiday assistance program.
The program provides toys to children 12 and younger and a Christmas meal to those who qualify. Items were also available to pick from tables in the gymnasium of the church.
Wednesday was the countywide distribution, and today is the city giveaway from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
"I haven't been able to get a job," Mock said, since the birth of her son, who has medical issues.
She had worked in construction.
Volunteers with the church gave out free coffee, hot chocolate and hot dogs to those in line. The Sheetz on the Gordon Nagle Trail provided most of the refreshments. Mary Waitkaitis, Sheetz manager, said it is a way to give back.
"Sheetz likes to make a difference in the community," she said.
Salvation Army volunteers, six teenagers from the Minersville Leo Club and two alumni also helped during the day.
Capt. Tammy Hench of the Salvation Army in Pottsville said 710 families will benefit from the kindness of others.
Last year, about 650 families were able to give their children a better Christmas through the program.
Boxes and bags of toys, bicycles, board games, sleds and even telescopes were in the gym. Winter apparel was also available for those in need.
Gifts provided to those in need mostly come from the Toys for Tots Program and Angel Trees, where people buy gifts for children. Businesses also gave donations, Hench said.
The food - a chicken for a family of three or fewer or a turkey for a larger family, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, corn, fruit and other items - was given away. The Salvation Army, individuals and businesses donated the food.
Hench said gifts from the heart show "that the community cares for them and we're all in this together."
Mock said this isn't the first time she has fallen on hard times. Three years ago, she also needed help because her job just didn't give her the financial ability to provide Christmas gifts for her son, Hunter Mock, now 8.
"This year, we weren't able to get anything for the boys," she said speaking of how her boyfriend, Carlos, and she were unable to buy gifts for Hunter, Jacob and her stepson, Christopher Vega, 10.
The assistance means the children will have a gift to open on Christmas.
AnnaMarie Vanderpluym, 25, of Minersville, was waiting for a ride after receiving food and toys.
Her son, Nathan Weikel, 2, played with a doll and a large green ball as her daughter, Starr Brennan, 1, sat in a stroller.
Vanderpluym said she appreciated the help. Those receiving gifts should be thankful for what they receive, she said.
She just started a new job and couldn't afford gifts, she said.
Pushing a small bike for his son, Connor, 5, Justin Wise said he knew his son would be happy with his gifts such as the bike, puzzles and smaller items.
The new black bike will replace one that is broken, he said.
Wise said he is thankful for the gifts and food.
"I'm on a tight budget," he said.
He told his son Santa Claus would be bringing gifts.
"Got to keep kids believing in Santa Claus as long as possible," he said.