RICHLAND -- Twenty families waited an hour in the lobby of Richland's Jericho Road Ministries to register for Thanksgiving food boxes and Christmas gifts.

Amy Schultz, the nonprofit's executive director, said they were overwhelmed with families on their first day of registration last week.

So much so that their holiday list already is full, and they must cancel two other registration days.

Jericho Road Ministries signed up 140 children to receive Christmas gifts this year, and 45 families for a full Thanksgiving meal.

That means the nonprofit will need to find some extra toy donations this year, Schultz said. Last year, they provided gifts for 100 children with help from local churches and businesses.

Schultz isn't sure why they had such a demand this year but it was the first time they switched to specific days rather than a period of time to take applications.

On Dec. 12, Jericho Road Ministries will fill the gym at Richland Church of the Nazarene with clothing, household items, Christmas decorations and toys that parents get to choose from for their children.

There is a station where gifts are wrapped, and the parents, not Jericho Road Ministries, give the gifts to the children, she said.

It does something for the dignity of the parent to have the gifts come from themselves, Schultz said.

Donated items can be taken to the nonprofit's office at the Richland Church of the Nazarene, 2500 Jericho Road, Richland, or send financial donations to Jericho Road Ministries at the same address.

Volunteers to help with the Christmas distribution can call 627-0750.