According to Jeremiah Burris, captain of the local Salvation Army, the Emporia community has provided a tremendous amount of support to the non-profit organization throughout the summer months.
They were able to maintain a well-stocked pantry for longer this summer than years past, thanks to donations from folks in the community.
Burris is also encouraged by the pledges of support for the upcoming holiday season the Salvation Army has already received from many businesses, organizations and churches around town. In light of the recession, he expects to see an increase in the number of families needing assistance this holiday season.
But between summer and the holidays there is a gap for the organization that provides assistance to at least 12 local families a day. And that gap is most obvious in their pantry right now. The well-stocked pantry is starting to show signs of desperation. According to Burris, the shelves are close to 70 percent empty.
“We’re just trying to make it,” he said. Their new fiscal years starts Oct. 1 and it’s not until after that that they expect an increase in donations.
Right now, the Salvation Army needs the following items:
• breakfast food (cereal, pancake mix and syrup, oatmeal, etc.)
• peanut butter and jelly
• macaroni and cheese or pasta mix
• rice mix and boxed potato mix
• canned tomatoes
• canned pasta meals (ravioli, Spaghetti O’s, etc.)
• fruit (pie filling, pumpkin and applesauce)
• powdered milk
• soup/stew
• crackers
• packaged cookies
• boxes of Jell-O, pudding
• Ramen noodles
• canned vegetables
• canned meats
• chips
• dry pasta and spaghetti sauce
• dry beans or rice
• box meals (Tuna Helper, Hamburger Helper, etc.)
There are families in need in the Emporia area all year round, not just at the holidays. And they need our help.
Look in your own pantry. Is it full?
If it is, be thankful. Then, pass some of that plenty on to those who need it more.
Ashley Knecht Walker
Projects editor
Donations can be dropped of at The Salvation Army, 327 Constitution St.
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Posted by rosaliesk (anonymous) on September 21, 2009 at 12:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This article needs to be proofread. For example: instead of pantry one of the entries reads "thier panty." Just thought you should know.
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