After distributing over 120 Thanksgiving food baskets — 20 more than last year — The Salvation Army has shifted into Christmas gear to share even more food, plus presents for children.
“It’s a shame that we have to do it,” Salvation Army Capt. Chase Green said of the growing need for food assistance in town. But the community has responded with donations to fill the need, he said.
Plans for fundraising and community assistance this month include a dinner Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Stikine Inn; the annual Red Kettles donations campaign; “Angel Trees” to solicit gifts of toys for children; and, of course, sharing those toys and food boxes with families for Christmas week.
The prime rib dinner — with some surf added to the turf, Green said — starts at 6 p.m. Friday. Tickets are $60 each, with seating limited to 90 people.
“We still have tickets for sale,” he said the day after Thanksgiving.
The evening will include a silent auction and live auction of donated items, which so far include a log cabin dollhouse, knitted clothing and Alaska Airlines tickets.
All of the money raised will go toward youth and family services, Green said.
Anyone interested in buying a ticket can go to the front desk at the Stikine Inn or call The Salvation Army at 907-874-3753.
The church’s Red Kettles campaign started in San Francisco in 1891, and though it does not have that long a history in Wrangell the money dropped in the kettles is essential to the organization’s year-round work, Green said. “This is the time of year where all of the money goes to support programs.”
The kettles will be at City Market and IGA until Christmas, except Sundays, he said.
Also between now and Christmas, The Salvation Army will be gathering toys and food for distribution on Dec. 19 and 20. This year’s sign-up list for children’s toys has about 10 more families than last year.
The deadline has passed to sign up for Christmas toys and food, but Green said anyone who needs help can call The Salvation Army at 907-874-3753.
The organization’s food pantry will be open Christmas Eve.
Angel Trees will be up at Wells Fargo and First Bank, with hanging paper tags that provide information for people who are willing to go shopping and donate toys. The tags do not have names but will say whether the child is a boy or a girl and provide their age, clothing sizes and holiday wish list.
Groups and businesses are invited to take several tags, Green said.
All gifts should be brought to the banks or The Salvation Army on Zimovia Highway by Dec. 15. No wrapping, please, Green said. “This way, we know what’s going into the baskets.”
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