With community's help, Salvation Army serves 750 children and 500 families this Christmas

Lauren Van Niel, Zanesville Times Recorder

ZANESVILLE − Christmas came early for hundreds of people, thanks to the Angel Tree program and community donations to the Salvation Army, as the organization had its toy and food distribution this week.

In September, Angel Trees adorned with angel ornaments were placed around the city, prominently in Colony Square Mall. Each Angel Tree ornament listed specific toys and gifts that a child requested.

The Salvation Army works to ensure families receive food and children receive gifts each Christmas. The organization relies on community donations and items purchased through the Angel Tree program.
The Salvation Army works to ensure families receive food and children receive gifts each Christmas. The organization relies on community donations and items purchased through the Angel Tree program.

A total of 750 angel ornament donations came through this year and 500 food boxes were prepared.

Chelsea George, a mother of seven children, said the event helps out so much and that it benefits people who are struggling financially to still give their families a Christmas.

Any toys that were missing or needed to be provided by the Salvation Army were funded through different fundraisers. The primary event is their National Commander's Red Kettle Challenge they hold during the holiday season.

Toys were distributed on Tuesday and Wednesday. Around 300 people arrived on Monday solely for the Christmas dinners.

Cars lined up at the front of the Salvation Army on Putnam Avenue. Boxes of toys and food were distributed in the back of the building.
Cars lined up at the front of the Salvation Army on Putnam Avenue. Boxes of toys and food were distributed in the back of the building.

The food boxes contained eggs, a turkey or ham, milk, cake mix, canned vegetables, potatoes and more to provide Christmas dinners for families.

It has been difficult recently for the pantry, said Envoy George Bates. Food prices have only continued to increase and the demand for assistance has increased as well. With complete understanding that this is affecting everybody, the demand for the toy drive has risen as well, and it is concerning to him that the pantry hasn't come close to their donation goals for the next year. Their Red Kettle challenge has fallen $50,000 short so far. Events such as the toy drive and Salvation Army's regular food pantry rely on donations.

Bates leads with determination though to provide for the area.

"As long as people need food, we are going to feed them," he said.

Occasionally, there are toys leftover after the distribution and the Salvation Army will allow parents and children who missed signing up to select items from the remaining presents.
Occasionally, there are toys leftover after the distribution and the Salvation Army will allow parents and children who missed signing up to select items from the remaining presents.

Around 100 volunteers worked seven hours a day, five days a week for the last three weeks to organize and box the toys. They also distribute them to families delivering presents right to their cars.

LVanNiel@gmail.com

This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Salvation Army, community deliver Christmas to several hundred

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