Local leaders make special Christmas delivery to homeless in Salinas

SALINAS, Calif. (KION) Kids living at the Salinas Warming Shelter got toys and even a visit from Santa Monday evening, something they might have gone without this holiday if not for community leaders.

While on Christmas, Santa travels in a sleigh, he rode into Salinas atop a fire truck, ready to deliver toys and meet children living at the shelter on West Alisal Street.

This year, there’s a record number of homeless children and women staying at the shelter. There are 54 children among nearly a couple dozen families who sleep there each night.

“Many families without this shelter would be out in the cold, out without food, restrooms," Monterey County Supervisor Luis Alejo said.

Monday evening the kids took pictures with Saint Nick and received toys, as well as backpacks filled with giftcards, school supplies and items to help them stay warm this winter.

This special delivery in Salinas meant the world to families. 

“This is the occasion where the community comes together and brings some toys to my family and that’s a great deal," said a shelter resident. "For all these families, it’s another smile. It’s something about the stress that we’re going through and that helps a little.”

This is the third year for the event, all made possible by donations from Salinas residents and the help of community leaders, like Supervisor Luis Alejo and Mayor Joe Gunter. 

Salinas and Monterey County are trying to make sure they have enough beds for their homeless population.

A new homeless shelter is in the works here at 855 East Laurel Drive in Salinas. City leaders tell me the state provided over 6 million dollars for the project to get construction going.

“It’ll be larger. It’ll be able to handle getting the services to them that they need and that’s what counts so we have a lot of work ahead with this,” Salinas Mayor Joe Gunter.

The East Laurel family shelter is joined by others in the works, including one in seaside for women and children that is set to open shortly. Another shelter in Salinas' Chinatown for single men and women is also in the works, along with more housing on Soledad Street for people with very low-incomes.

Supervisor Alejo said they’ll be breaking ground on the East Laurel shelter next month.