Last year, as the economy was in meltdown, thousands of residents stepped up to give food and toys to ensure that the less fortunate could celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The economy appears to be stabilizing, but that doesn't mean the need has gone away. In fact, the unemployment rate is even higher, and thousands of area residents are still struggling.

That's why your help is needed even more this holiday season.

The Marine Corps kicked off its annual Toys for Tots program this week, with a goal of collecting 150,000 toys, up from last year's target of 60,000.

The 2008 goal was exceeded in large measure after the owners of The Inquirer, The Daily News, and Philly.com launched a campaign to collect thousands of toys as Christmas approached. In the end, 139,000 toys were collected.

The Inquirer's food drive also more than met its goal this year of collecting 180,000 pounds of food, thanks mainly to Acme Markets. But the collection continues.

The newspaper headquarters at Broad and Callowhill Streets will once again serve as a collection post for toys. Dozens of other locations are scattered around the city. To find the closest location, go to www.toysfortotsphila.org.

Your help is needed more than ever this year.