ANAHEIM, CALIF. – During this untraditional holiday season, Northgate González Market is coming up with new, safe ways to give back.  

Every December for the last 25 years, thousands of families would crowd in line outside of Northgate Market stores in hopes to meet Santa Claus and receive a new toy. Due to the surge of COVID-19 cases, the grocer can’t continue that tradition in 2020, so the retailer has found a new way to get toys to the community this holiday season. 

“Holiday celebrations are a little different this year because of the pandemic,” said Miguel Gonzalez, co-president of Northgate Market. “Yet, our hearts are filled with the spirit of Christmas and our commitment is stronger than ever to bring joy and smiles to boys and girls across the southland.” 

On Dec. 17, Northgate Market will give away 50,000 toys at 41 locations. Rather than waiting in line, families will be asked to go through a three-point drive-thru system where volunteers and store associates will safely hand out the toys.  

New enhanced COVID-19 protocols are being put in place to keep all employees, volunteers and families safe. Santa will be there with his elves, but no one will be sitting on his lap or be able to take pictures with him.  

Northgate Market also helped the community this past Thanksgiving and partnered with Oportun, Hyundai Motor America and the Reynoso González Family Foundation to donate more than 2,800 turkey vouchers, providing some much-needed relief and holiday cheer for local families. 

“We were proud to help families throughout Southern California celebrate the holidays by providing them with a turkey, masks, and sanitizing materials so they can celebrate safely with their loved ones,” said Stacy Newton, senior vice president of retail for Oportun. “We know that these communities have been hard hit by COVID, and we thank our local partners for hosting distribution events, and we wish everyone a happy, healthy, and above all safe holiday season.”