Lorena Montalbo stood in the sun Wednesday afternoon, hugging her 2-year old daughter Wendy to her chest trying to keep her warm. Together they waited in line at The Salvation Army office at 1931 Sutro St. for free food and Christmas gifts, because this year has been the toughest yet for them.

"Maybe next month, I'll be back in Mexico," Montablo said, explaining that she has her hands full with two kids and that her husband's hours at his construction job recently got cut. "We've lived here in Sparks for eight years, but it's very hard right now. Very tough."

In line with Montablo was Evonne Moxley, from Reno, who is struggling to help raise her three grandchildren.

Then there was Christina Ruiz, from Reno, who recently lost her job, with an 18-month old daughter to care for and nowhere to turn.

And the line continued on the side of the building.

Wednesday afternoon was just the middle of it. The free, need-based program, Operation Turkey Drop put on by The Salvation Army, began at 8 a.m. on a below-freezing morning, with families lining up outside for boxes of food, frozen turkeys and toys that had been donated by members and businesses of the Reno/Sparks community.

Carole Miller, a spokesperson for The Salvation Army, reported that the more than 3,300 families that had registered for the program nearly increased by one third compared to last year's 2,100 families.

"It's all related to the economy," Miller said. "A lot more people have lost their jobs, homes foreclosed and high prices everywhere."

The other side of the dilemma is that people are not donating as much, Miller said.

"We can't give out as much food or toys as we normally do," Miller said. "We're cutting back. There are more people in need and people have less to give."

Recent community donations came from the Community Foundation of Western Nevada, which donated $10,000 toward the purchase of new toys, and the Wal-Mart at Damonte Ranch Parkway in south Reno, which donated a large shipment of toys.

But there's always room for more.

"Obviously, we're still looking for help," Miller said. "Food, toys, money, all of the above. After spending nearly $20,000 on food out of our own fund, we're still down, if that puts it into perspective at all."

Families, who signed up for the program between Nov.3 and Dec. 13, must meet federal poverty guidelines with a proof of income and photo IDs for all children, Miller said.

Due to resource shortages, food boxes and frozen turkeys or gift certificates for Sak and Save are rationed out a bit more strictly and each family is given one toy per child and one family toy, like a board game.

Robin Sarrai came hoping for a specific toy for one of her daughters.

"She loves Troy from 'High School Musical,' " Sarrai said with a laugh, picking up a decorate-your-own throw blanket with Troy's face on it. "She's a good girl."

Sarrai, a native Nevadan, said she is waiting for some Social Security checks to come, but in the meantime, times are tight for her and her three kids. With nearly $50,000 to pay off from work-related surgery from last year, she said she is glad for programs like this.

"Demand is up and resources are down," Miller said. "That's not a good combination, but we're doing our best to help them out. We want everybody to get something."

Distribution days run today through Friday and Dec. 22 and 23.

For more information or to volunteer, visit www.salvationarmyreno.org.