RENO, Nev. (KRNV & MyNews4.com) - The Reno business at the center of a toy drive controversy is speaking after earlier declining to comment about claims they served as a donation drop off point but gave away gifts to their own customers instead.
A company spokesperson or Lili’s Restaurant and Cantina says the restaurant has its own toy drive and never agreed to work with Cops and Robbers this year.
“I think it's just a big misunderstanding here from two organizations that are just tryig to do the right thing,” said Lili’s Marie Lopez.
One of cops-robbers drive leaders Kaci Mitchel says the restaurant was clearly on-board before and she's not sure why the story's changing now.
“The restaurant agreed. They had a barrel there for us to donate our toys in,” Mitchel said.
Despite this setback, Cops and Robbers says so many donations have come in now they should be able to serve double the amount of kids they originally hoped for. The gifts will be given away the Evelyn Mount Northeast Community Center during the annual Cops vs. Robbers basketball game which starts at 12:30 Saturday.