DES MOINES — Fareway recently presented a check for $100,000 to the U.S. Marine Corps for their Toys for Tots campaign, which provides toys to less fortunate children during the holiday season.

More than 70 pallets of toys were collected and donated. Monetary and toy donations were accepted at all 122 Fareway store locations from Nov. 25 through Dec. 21.

“We want to thank our generous customers, and vendor partner Coca-Cola, for helping make the Toys for Tots program a success and providing for both monetary and toy donation support,” said Reynolds W. Cramer, Fareway president and CEO. “We are proud to partner with the U.S. Marine Corps and help spread joy to thousands of children during the holiday season.”

In 2019, the U.S. Marine Corps reported that 20,124 children were served, 71,000 toys were collected and total campaign proceeds topped more than $161,000.

“Every year, their (Fareway’s) involvement takes the Toys for Tots program to the next level and allows us to reach far more children than we ever could alone,” said Staff Sgt. Shane Paonessa, United States Marine Corps. “Fareway’s involvement is pivotal to the success of the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program year after year.”