SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The Christmas Store is back for its ninth year at the Monroe Circle Community Center in South Bend.

The goal of the store is to provide local families, who may find themselves in a challenging season, the opportunity to affordably purchase Christmas gifts for their children with pride and dignity.

This year, the event will be held on Friday, Dec. 13, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 14, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

"Those who have preregistered will receive a designated time slot to shop. As shoppers wait, they can enjoy a warm snack, community time and Christmas music," organizers said. "Any children brought to the Christmas store will wait in a separate, supervised area while their adult shops, so their surprises won’t be spoiled. Shoppers will have a shopping assistant and at the end of their shopping session, they can pay for their gifts and have the option to have up to two items gift-wrapped."

Gifts in the store are discounted at least 90 percent and shoppers pay $5 per child.

Those who are not preregistered are invited to wait in a stand-by line to shop on a first-come, first-served basis that will open at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14. As shoppers wait they can enjoy a warm snack, community time and Christmas music.

"Research has shown that a small investment of a parent or grandparent restores dignity, honor and the joy of giving a gift to their child or grandchild," organizers said.

"Those interested in volunteering to help make this year’s Christmas Store a success can assist by donating a new gift of a toy, still in its packaging, with the price tag on it, through Sunday, Dec. 8."

Around 100 volunteers are expected to help with the store in one way or another. 

The Monroe Circle Community Center 526 W. Western Avenue.