Sandy LaCerais works for Things of My Very Own, an organization that provides crisis intervention services to children.

“I was going through a domestic violence situation with my oldest children's father. If we didn't have this program, my children otherwise wouldn't have been able to have a Christmas that year," says LaCerais, a support staff member.

This year, LaCerais is once again helping others in need through the "Sponsor a Child in Crisis" program, the same program that helped her years ago. Every holiday season, families and kids write down what’d they like for the holidays on a wish tag and people donate the items.

Many of the families write down necessities, but the organization makes sure the kids also receive toys.

“We're probably best known for our crisis intervention services. But sometimes the needs of these children go beyond the scope of what we're able to provide. The great part about this Sponsor a Child in Crisis program is it allows children to receive items such as clothing, bedding, personal hygiene products, a new mattress for them to come home to. And it also provides them with fun toys that can help enhance their development," says Rayn Boncie, CEO and founder of Things of My Very Own.

This year, fewer people are donating to the program to keep up with demand, and the organization recently had to pause sign-ups. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Consumer Price Index rose 3.2% for the 12 months that ended in October, which is the lowest annual rate since March 2021.

“Even though inflation's going down, the [price] of stuff is still really high. Food is outrageous, daycare is outrageous," LaCerais said.

Some New York organizations with holiday programs, reached by Spectrum News 1, say donations are slower than normal for this time of year. Other organizations say they are partnering with big corporate companies to make sure they can keep up with the need.

“There's a lot of reasons why people aren't giving. Many of us struggled during COVID, and it was admittedly exhausting. So now that we're over that, we're focusing more on ourselves, forgetting that there are still so many people in our community who need our help who are depending on us," Boncie said.

LaCerais recommends that this holiday season to give back if you can, because she knows firsthand how even a small donation can go a long way.

“It's helpful to donate because you're molding the future. And generosity goes a long way. And these kids will never forget," LaCerais said.