The Salvation Army is seeking donations of winter coats, gloves and hats for people in need and more food donations for emergency hampers.
This year the Salvation Army had to start purchasing basic food items to fill hampers by August as donated stock started running out, says Capt. Claudine Kadonaga.
She says the food bank managers screen client needs carefully yet requests for assistant continue to rise.
Needed food items are non-perishable supplies of pork and beans, canned meats and fish, canned ravioli and pasta, peanut butter, meals in a can, canned soups, stew, ravioli and spaghetti, pasta sauce, pasta, macaroni and cheese, Mr. Noodles and Side Kicks, rice, sugar, and breakfast cereal.
“The food bank also gratefully accepts fresh produce from home gardens and frozen meat,” Kadonaga says.
Donations can be dropped off at 272 Borland Street Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. or at the Thrift Store, Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Donations for the Salvation Army’s Christmas hamper campaign are also being sought during November and December.
Donations needed for this program include hams, turkeys, juice, pickles, stuffing, cranberries, gravy chocolates and Christmas candies, hot chocolate, coffee, jam, and peanut butter.
The Salvation Army will be purchasing fresh milk, margarine, potatoes, carrots, onions, turnips, and mandarin oranges for the hampers.
Each hamper will contain the fixings for a Christmas dinner, breakfast and some treats as well as gifts for children ages zero to 17. “The Christmas hampers will hold all the fixings to make this Season special for 125 singles, 50 couples, 170 families,” Kadonaga says.
Cash donations are accepted and receipted in the general office of the Salvation Army located at 267 Borland Street between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday to Friday.