There are only nine shopping days left before Christmas. For charities planning to hand out thousands of toys the window is even smaller as toy giveaways are scheduled next week.
The Salvation Army in San Francisco said current donations will not meet the demand.
"This year we're having a little bit of a struggle with it," said Larry Rowe of the Salvation Army.
Hundreds of toys are on display in the warehouse on Stevenson. But Rowe said 1,300 families signed up for help and that translates to thousands of toys.
He's counting on a last-minute surge so no one will be disappointed.
The San Francisco Firefighters Union Local 798 is also hoping for a late save.
At a toy drive Friday at Cafe Trieste, empty bins slowly filled with donations. Firefighters said they hope to hand out more than 200,000 toys before Christmas.
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Hundreds of kids sent letters asking for help.
Jessica Bay was one resident who donated at a toy drive in North Beach. After hearing more about the need, Bay wondered if she is doing enough.
"Now I feel like I should go buy a couple more actually," she said.
In the South Bay, Sacred Heart Community Church is only a third of what it needs to provide toys for the less fortunate. The non-profit organization has collected about 6,000 toys to date, with gifts scheduled to be distributed next week.
As the countdown intensifies charities throughout the Bay Area said they are grateful for any help people can provide.
Donation locations:
- Any San Francisco fire house
- The Salvation Army toy warehouse on 519 Stevenson Street, in San Francisco
- Sacred Heart Community Church, 1381 S. First St., in San Jose
