HANCOCK -- Toy and food donations are pouring in to the Mining Gazette as their Cheer Club campaign rolls on.  And with Christmas less than two weeks away, this week marks the final push for donations.

The Cheer Club is a campaign to help families in need get toys and food during the holiday season.

Next Wednesday, nearly 200 U.P. parents will pick up toys and food for their families.

Captain Mark Brown of the Hancock Salvation Army says that this year the need for donations is high.

"There's not always a rhyme or reason, it just happens, and our job is to be ready for it when it does," says Captain Brown.

But will they be ready?

The Hancock Salvation Army has seen a 30 percent increase this year in families signing up to receive toys and food, but they haven't seen an increase in donations.  As we inch closer to Christmas, they're hoping to make up for that difference.

"We usually go on history and the history is that the community does respond and we should be able to meet the need," Captain Brown says.

The Daily Mining Gazette is one of eight drop-off locations in the Houghton-Hancock area, it's also helping to get the word out about the drive.

"Families do come in with two or three or more children, and it's nice to see the kids giving toys that they themselves would like to play with," says Jane Nordberg, Managing Editor of the Daily Mining Gazette.

Anyone interested in helping The Salvation Army, through donations or volunteering, is asked to call (906) 482-3420.