Qld Salvos need warehouse for 2021 Christmas toy donations

Queensland’s Salvos are in a bind with 40,000 donated toys for Christmas but nowhere to store them. Can you help?

The Salvation Army is on the hunt for a home for nearly 40,000 donated toys, but the real estate grinch is stealing Christmas, and if they don’t find a somewhere soon they won’t be able to take donations.

A very limited and tight commercial and industrial lease market has left the church charity empty-handed, so it is calling for a good Samaritan to lend it some space and make a huge difference.

The annual Christmas toy appeal helps more than 3000 families in South East Queensland who rely on food and receive toys for Christmas from the appeal.

Queensland Salvos public relations secretary Simon Gregory said a number of factors could leave the toys without a home.

The Salvos’ Simon Gregory with just an armful of the tens of thousands of toys donated to their Christmas appeal. Picture: Liam Kidston

“It has been so difficult finding a place that is willing to put us up for the two months leading up to Christmas,” Mr Gregory said.

“Our Christmas warehouse really is the linchpin of our whole Christmas campaign.

“It’s where the majority of toys donated in Brisbane come to before being delivered to locations around Queensland.”

They need 1000sq m or 2000sq m of warehouse or bulky-goods space in the Brisbane region to help save Christmas for thousands of families.

“This year we are expecting to receive more than 40,000 gifts, as well as tonnes of food and without a suitable warehouse space, it will make it extremely difficult to support those who come to us for help, including another 50 smaller charities who we also support,” Mr Gregory said.

Anyone who could help is encouraged to email the Salvos.