Sherry Gordon of Youngstown, left, takes a box of food from Heather Kennedy at the toy and food giveaway at Gleaners Food Bank on Pyatt Street in Youngstown on Wednesday. Volunteers helped at least 300 children have a better Christmas. Staff photo / Ed Runyan

YOUNGSTOWN — Large garbage bags full of new toys came off of a semi tractor-trailer Wednesday at Gleaners Food Bank on Pyatt Street so that volunters could place them in the vehicles of families of 300 children.

In some cases, people came to pick up toys for three families, meaning they received three bags full. In several cases, the bags didn’t all fit very well into their car.

“I did not expect it to be this much,” said Sherry Gordon of Youngstown, who came to pick up Christmas toys for nine grandchildren from three families.

“This is great because of the struggle and income this year. They wouldn’t have gotten a lot of these things,” she said of her grandchildren.

Her son, Isaac Gordon, 39, sat in the front passenger seat with a bag on his lap. It only left a little space above his head. The back seat was similarly crowded.

The toys and food were given away at Gleaners Food Bank, but individuals and families affiliated with the Mahoning County Veterans Services Commission did most of the organizing, receiving applications from the families in advance and filling each bag for a specific family and child.

That way the toys are age appropriate, said John Rea of Salem, who was manning the truck along with his little nephew, Isaac Parry. Rea and Issac were finding and delivering the bags to other volunteers based on a number associated with each family.

While the bags and food were placed in the vehicle, Santa Claus mingled with the families.

Rea said it seemed like the amount of toys being given was larger than usual.

“This year they went over and above,” he said.

Gleaners Food Bank has been having an annual toy giveaway for about 30 years at St. Patrick Church on Oakhill Avenue. But because of COVID-19 restrictions, Gleaners Executive Director Joe Lordi and volunteers Katey and John Rea changed the event to a drive-up only this time.

Another grandmother who had trouble fitting everything in her car was Suvella Ravenell of Youngstown.

“I have 25 grandkids, and every everything will help,” she said when explaining why her car was stuffed so full that it took several tries to get all of the gifts and food inside.

“They’re all going to get something,” she said. “Even if they get one thing, it’s all good. God is good.”

Katie Parry said about 300 people had registered this year to receive presents and more than 200 had come by the halfway point of the event.

Lordi said letters were sent to businesses in the communty asking for toys, and they responded, especially Valley Industrial of Youngstown, whose employees bought presents. The company also donated money. The Marine Corps Toys for Tots also provided some.

On Monday, Gleaners distributed 17 full pallets of boxed food to 30 area churches so that they could in turn distribute it to needy families, Lordi said.

On Tuesday, Gleaners held its regular weekly boxed food distribution for about 300 people and gave out gifts that day also.

Leo Connelly Jr., a member of the Mahoning County Veterans Service Commission, said most of the volunteers involved in Wednesday’s event were connected to the commission.

erunyan@tribtoday.com