More than 150 Evanston families in need received free holiday dinners and gifts Dec. 23 during the mayor’s annual holiday toy and food drive. Those families gathered at Evanston’s Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center to receive holiday dinners and toys donated by residents, community organizations and faith-based groups. “This is a blessing,” said resident Lashanda Banks, who picked up her food and toys with her son Collin, 2. “It’s awesome to have something in the community for kids to get and for families.” Donators gave turkeys, vegetables, bread and other food items, as well as money used to purchase toys for the children. “People have been so generous,” said Betsy Jenkins, manager of Fleetwood-Jourdain and other Evanston facilities. Jenkins said this year’s donation drive has been an emotional one, as more families struggle to provide on the holidays. “This year I’ve seen a lot more tears,” she said. “It’s awful. People are doing the best they can. They’re really stretching. It’s hurtful when you see people like that.” Evanston resident Tonya Wood said this year’s drive would help provide a holiday dinner for her six foster children, ages 2 to 14. “This means a lot,” she said. “I’m a foster parent, so I need a little extra help.” For those who organized and participated in the drive, the day brought a small measure of satisfaction that their work could help brighten the holiday season for others. “It feels great to be able to help somebody,” said Charles Pringle, a member of Mt. Moriah Lodge No. 28, which this year donated turkeys for the drive. “It just feels good to see 90 percent of the people here are volunteers, and it’s on a Friday,” Jenkins said. “It just shows you there’s a volunteer spirit out there that everybody should try to tap into if they can.”