OPERATION COVER CHICAGO ONCE AGAIN STIFLED BY NATION'S ECONOMY, PRIOR PROBLEMS IN SNAP DELAYS, RISING INFLATION AND MASSIVE RISE IN UNEMPLOYMENT

Pastor Kenyatta Smith of Another Chance Church. Photo provided by STH Media
Pastor Kenyatta Smith of Another Chance Church. Photo provided by STH Media



OPERATION COVER CHICAGO ONCE AGAIN STIFLED BY NATION'S ECONOMY, PRIOR PROBLEMS IN SNAP DELAYS, RISING INFLATION AND MASSIVE RISE IN UNEMPLOYMENT

 

"PARENTS SIMPLY DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES TO OFFER 

THEIR CHILDREN A PRODUCTIVE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY"

 

CHICAGO'S LARGEST TOY DISTRIBUTION FORCED AGAINTO MAKE PUBLIC OF HARDSHIPS IN DISTRIBUTING OVER 30,000 TOYS TO OVER 5000 KIDS

 

RECENT DONATIONS HAVE BEEN STEADY BUT FAR SHORT OF GOAL “9000 SHORT OF GOAL”

 

TUESDAY, December 9th, 2025 @ 11:00 AM (EMERGENCY PRESS CONFERENCE)

Another Chance Church, 9550 S. Harvard, Chicago, Illinois

 

(Chicago, IL) Pastor Kenyatta Smith- Pastor of the Another Chance Church of Chicago – will be joined by several Chicago Aldermen, State Representatives and Cook County Commissioners in a compassionate public appeal to potential donors to drop off toys for the 14th Annual Operation Cover Chicago. The 30,000 Toy Drive is just under 9,000 toys short of its 30,000 goal.

 

“We are blessed to have received an influx of donations stemming from our appeal of a week ago. However, we are still short of our goal. Our expected confirmed number of kids who will line up early on December 22nd, has now exceeded 5000.

 

Though the nonprofit organization has been dedicated to the hearts of Chicagoans in filling in the gaps needed, this year it now finds itself in an urgent need for public support. As the economic inflation across America has increased nationwide, many families are in desperate need of tremendous support this holiday season. That effect is now being felt within Operation Cover Chicago in its mission to bring smiles to the faces of over 5000 kids that will line up outside their doors in two weeks.

 

The organization’s goal is to ensure every child has a gift under the tree this Christmas. Another Chance Church’s initiative to help meet the needs of residents comes at a critical time, as Pastor Smith is hoping they receive thousands more in donations.  Operation Cover Chicago’s budget has been greatly challenged by the current economic crisis. Many of the toys it would normally purchase have increased in cost by as much as 70%.

 

“This holiday season is tremendously special for many people around the globe. Many Chicagoans have been challenged by the current economic crisis which includes prior pauses in SNAP funding, massive layoffs, and alarming levels of inflation numbers. This year we want to ensure we can meet the needs of people who have fought to survive and present them with a bit of relief this holiday season. Every year we aim to never disappoint anyone by making sure that over 5000 children have gifts for Christmas. says Pastor Smith.

 

Pastor Smith continues, “However 2025 has been very stressful on our budget. We have exceeded the amount we spent from the previous year. The rising price of toys has crippled our ability to reach the goal of 30,000 toys for the over 5000 kids we distribute annually. We are praying for an 14th hour Santa which includes Illinois residents and corporations stepping   up for the children.”

 

Bishop Larry D. Trotter of the Sweet Holy Spirit Church added, “For Pastor Smith and Operation Cover Chicago to continue with this act of service, they will need generous people to dig deep and give to this 11th hour clarion call for help. Their goal as a nonprofit organization is to provide the necessary support that will bring an abundance of smiles to the faces of children at Christmas time. We need our community to make donations from across Illinois to continue that effort.”

 

Donations are being accepted online at https://gofund.me/1f9a12f7d  or via Cash App at $OCCHICAGO. Checks can be made payable to Another Chance Church, or donors can also text and give. Simply text OCC25 to 44321.

 

Residents are encouraged to donate $50 for one child's gift, $250 for a family of (5), and $500 for a family of (10). For more information, contact Another Chance Church of Chicago’s Facebook page or call their offices at (773)-253-7474.

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