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Local News

Donations of Toys, Food Brighten Holidays For Local Families

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By Chris Moore

Story Published: Dec 23, 2011 at 9:28 PM PDT

Story Updated: Dec 24, 2011 at 12:51 AM PDT

SAN DIEGO - About 500 needy San Diego families received holiday food and toys Friday from the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council and the United Way of San Diego.

Turkeys, food bags, toys and bikes -- donated by workers and their unions -- went to families in which parents have lost jobs or are underemployed. The 24th annual distribution took place in the parking lot of Qualcomm Stadium.

The unemployment rate in San Diego County was 9.2 percent in November, meaning 145,500 people out of a workforce of around 1.6 million were without jobs, according to the state Economic Development Department.

Additionally, many economists believe the true number of unemployed people is higher since people who have given up looking for work are not counted in the official statistics.

"(The economy) hasn't gotten better, that's for sure," Labor Council CEO Lorena Gonzalez told City News Service.

She said that while unemployment remains a problem, "we're seeing a whole lot of underemployed" people, who might be working part-time or are the sole providers for large families. Christmas is a luxury for those getting by month-to-month, she said.
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