Food pantry that earned fame through the John Oliver cake bear saga holds Christmas in July event
People's Place Food Pantry staff and volunteers are trying to raise $115,000 to buy Christmas presents for local children, and Thursday's Christmas in July event drew donations from around the community.
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The mid-town Kingston food pantry that gained worldwide fame because of the recent HBO/John Oliver/cake bear saga is now creating a spectacle all on its own.
People's Place Food Pantry staff and volunteers are trying to raise $115,000 to buy Christmas presents for local children, and Thursday's Christmas in July event drew donations from around the community.
RELATED: John Oliver to send stove and grill to Kingston bakery after staff meets 'Cake Bear' challenge
"I love People's Place for what they do," Miriam Gibbons, who's volunteering to drum up donations curbside, "giving help to people who need it, with dignity."
They were also seeking donations inside in their makeshift studio.
Pantry director Christine Hein hosted an eight-hour, highly produced, multi-camera live telethon on Facebook.
Hein creates this giant scene every summer to get a jump on the holidays.
The People's Place team needs to put together toy and food packages for about 3,000 children.
"That's why we're doing the event now in July, for Christmas in July, because we have to start buying over 40-thousand gifts now," Hein said during a break from the telethon. "We can't wait until November or December."
Last month, People's Place received a boost from a fake fight between HBO host John Oliver and Deising's Bakery in midtown over restaurant equipment from a defunct Red Lobster.
Oliver challenged Deising's owners to sell John Oliver cake bears in the restaurant.
Deising's sold thousands of the cake bears, and donated the proceeds – $15,000 – to People's Place.
Oliver then pledged $10,000 to the pantry.
As it turns out, though, the pantry's staff and volunteers already knew how to generate a buzz.
The team enlisted 30 community members who took turns dressing up as Santa and soliciting donations from the roof on Broadway.
Volunteers said they have to outdo themselves each year, because they are seeing a significant month-over-month increase of families needing assistance.
The Facebook telethon is over, but donations are still being accepted.
Donors can give to People's Place directly, or choose which of the 30 Santas to give to by visiting the pantry's website or Facebook page.
