CAMERON PARK, Calif. — The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office and the Food Bank of El Dorado County will host the Toys From the Bearcat Community Christmas Event on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, at the Food Bank warehouse at 4550 Business Drive in Cameron Park. The free, family-friendly event runs from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will include food, drinks, raffle prizes and photos with Santa; donors are asked to bring new, unwrapped toys for distribution to local children and families in need.
Organizers are also offering a drive-thru toy drop-off at the same location on Dec. 1 from 7 a.m. to noon, an accommodation aimed at donors who cannot attend the evening program. Community partners and local businesses typically support the event with refreshments, music and giveaways. (Event listing and Food Bank event page.)
The outreach is a collaboration among the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, the Food Bank of El Dorado County and local partners such as the Shingle Springs/Cameron Park Chamber of Commerce. The program grew out of earlier holiday drives and was promoted by the Food Bank after its 2024 event; organizers said the effort ensures toys and holiday food reach families across the county.
“This program is a shining example of what makes our beautiful county so special,”
Sheriff Leikauf said in a Food Bank press release about last year’s event, noting the sheriff’s deputies’ role in delivering toys and other holiday aid.
“The men and women of the Sheriff’s Office understand the importance of meeting the needs of our residents, especially our children.”
Food Bank staff and past event materials say donations are accepted unwrapped so they can be sorted by age and need; community drop-off locations and partner collection barrels are typically announced in late November and run through mid-December. The Sheriff’s Office and Food Bank maintain social channels and an event listing where residents can confirm collection points, volunteer opportunities and last-minute updates. Local businesses and volunteers often help stage the event and provide extras such as donated beverages, music and raffle items. In 2024, the Food Bank thanked local donors — including caterers and beverage sponsors — and highlighted a native blessing that opened the program. Organizers encourage early donations and recommend checking the Food Bank’s website or the Sheriff’s Office social media for the most current drop-off addresses and volunteer sign-ups.
El Dorado County’s holiday outreach programs aim to close gaps for households facing food insecurity and other hardships during the winter months. The Toys From the Bearcat program pairs toy collection with the Food Bank’s distribution network so that gifts go to children already connected to local assistance programs. Community members seeking to help or to learn eligibility information for receiving assistance should contact the Food Bank directly. Foodbank of El Dorado County
Contact and verification
For questions about drop-off times, volunteer roles or to confirm the drive-thru schedule, contact the Food Bank of El Dorado County at (530) 621-9950 or info@foodbankedc.org; also see the Food Bank’s website and the event listing for updates. Foodbank of El Dorado
