With the holidays upon us, many of us are heading to the stores and getting those last-minute gifts. But not everyone can afford doing that this year for a number of reasons. Our Steve Ference has the story of how so many people have done what they can to make sure thousands of children get toys this Christmas.

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ALBANY, N.Y. -- In an Albany warehouse, at a time when many parents have come up empty - and charities are coming up short - it's the threat that even more Christmas trees won't have gifts under them this year.

"So many ministries were short of toys," said non-profit Jezreel International Partner, Lorenzo Hodges.

But sometimes, that's when others step in.

Because if you walk into Jezreel International's warehouse, you simply get overwhelmed.

"The figures are staggering," said Hodges. "It started with nothing, a vision. A lot of people behind the scenes to put this together. We have the Zhu-Zhu newest product out on the market, you have the kits, dolls, kids matchbox cars, hula-hoops, hats, balls, every type of top name-brand toy."

It's pallet after pallet. Boxes filled with toys collected by Feed the Children, distributed from here to area churches.

"We have a total of about $465,000 worth of toys," said Hodges.

"[In] the Capital Region there are a lot of people who have fallen through the cracks or are really hurting at this time," said Pastor Jay Francis of Rock Road Chapel Ministries, who came in to pick up dozens of toys to hand out.

But it's not only toys; it's also necessities like toiletries and also pallets of food for thousands in need.

"This is really a lifesaver for poorer folks or single parents or people unemployed so they can get things for their children," said Pastor Francis.

A warehouse full of reminders. Reminders that even during the tough times, there may be more people than you thought working to make the holiday just a little easier.

In this case - helping 12,000 families.

Hodges summed it up saying, "Christmas is about Christ being born, bottom line. But we celebrate Christmas with children getting toys. I just couldn't imagine a child waking up on Christmas day without a toy."