PROVIDENCE — The local Children’s Holiday Hope Fund begins its fifth holiday-giving campaign Sunday and asks the public to make monetary donations toward hats and mittens for Rhode Island children in need.

The fund, a collaboration between The Providence Journal Santa Fund and Pawtucket-based Hasbro’s Children’s Giving Tree program, provides Hasbro games and toys as well as hats and mittens to local children, ages 1 through 12 who are under the services of the state Department of Human Services and the Department of Children Youth and Families.

“Rhode Island families are faced with many challenges this year, making it very difficult for them this holiday season,” said Brian Goldner, Hasbro president and chief executive officer. “Hasbro is proud to continue our alliance with The Providence Journal and help these families bring hope, warmth and joy to their children for the holidays.”

Rhode Island Community Action, an organization whose mission includes the elimination of poverty in the state, joins this year’s campaign as a distribution partner for participating state agencies.

The public can make monetary contributions to the Children’s Holiday Hope Fund with a check or money order payable to the Children’s Holiday Hope Fund. Donations should be sent to The Providence Journal, c/o the Children’s Holiday Hope Fund, 75 Fountain St., Providence, RI, 02902. Donations qualify as contributions to a 501(c)3 organization.

“Despite the tough economic times, southern New Englanders continue to find ways to contribute to those less fortunate,” said Howard G. Sutton, Providence Journal Company publisher, president and chief executive officer. “It is this kind of continued generosity that makes the Holiday Hope Fund so successful.”

Throughout the campaign, The Providence Journal will publish contributions in Thursday’s newspaper as well as past contributions online at projo.com/giving.