Salvation Army gives local families extra boost during the holidays by distributing food, toys
A long line of cars idled outside the Port Huron Salvation Army Wednesday morning for the annual Christmas distribution day. Members of the Young Marines bustled around boxes of food in the bitter cold, loading hams and holiday treats into open trunks.
Inside, volunteers lined up to deliver red plastic bags bursting with toys to cars waiting outside the door. The plastic bags filled the room in neat rows.
Jennifer Nichols was volunteering with her two sons, Carson and Brayden. She said Carson originally volunteered to fulfill community service hours for National Junior Honor Society, but all three decided to go. She said it's something they can do as a family to give back to the community.
"I want to teach the boys to give back to others and be helpful," she said.
In the past, families have been able to come into the building to collect their items. But food and toys were distributed drive-thru style for the second year to limit exposure during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Salvation Army Major Wes Dalberg said this year's distribution day provided food and toys to 620 families and 1,172 children, which was slightly less than last year.
Some families might be unemployed or underemployed, Dalberg said, and can't afford the extra expense of a holiday dinner and toys on top of their regular expenses.
"We look at it as a hand-up; it's not a hand-out," Dalberg said. "We're just trying to help them get through the holiday season."
Jim Charron, an advisory board member with the organization and volunteer, said the Salvation Army is just one of several local organizations that gives to others around the holidays.
"The need is so great we all need to do our own part," he said.
Young Marines Sgt. Carson Ritter said it's important to give back, especially because the community supports the young marines through donations.
"I think it's always great to give back to the community," Ritter said.
Salvation Army Christmas campaign
The Salvation Army will be accepting donations for its "Hope Marches On" campaign, which provides funds for year-round food, rental and utility assistance and the organization's annual operating budget, through the first two weeks of January.
Donations can be made in-person or via mail at The Salvation Army, 2000 Court St., Port Huron, MI 48060. To donate online, visit centralusa.salvationarmy.org/porthuron/ and click "donate to this community."
Bell ringers will also be accepting donations outside retail stores such as Walmart, SAMs Club, St. Clair County Kroger stores, Hobby Lobby, and Nieman’s Market through Christmas Eve.
Contact Laura Fitzgerald at (810) 941-7072 or lfitzgeral@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Salvation Army gives food, toys to local families on distribution day
