Salvation Army gives local families Christmas dinner

On Tuesday, Dec. 21 the Salvation Army, Orange Christian Services and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church teamed up to provide a Christmas meal to 480 families in the greater Orange area. The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree and the Women’s Service League Toy Coffee Toy Drive provided the toys that were donated to families with children.

Those needing assistance were asked to sign up at the Salvation Army or Orange Christian Service by mid-November. The two combined lists, first making sure no one had their name on the list twice, and started making preparations.

Cecil Broom, Christmas Cheer Chairman for over 25 years and board member of the Salvation Army, took two vacation days from her full time at the Lutcher Theater to prepare for this event.

One hundred volunteers from the community gathered at the Salvation Army on Monday, Dec. 20 to box up 450 boxes of food comprised of: five pounds of flour, five pounds of sugar, five pounds of pinto beans, five pounds of rice, canned green beans, canned corn, canned sweet potatoes, macaroni and cheese, cooking oil, butter, eggs, bread, potatoes and a ham. The volunteers had all 450 boxes finished in a record setting 45 minutes. St. Paul’s donated 30 bags of food as well.

The toys, which are usually put into black garbage bags, were bagged in red and green bags.

The Salvation Army anticipated helping over 400 families and was worried weeks ago about being able to help all of them. Through the generous donations of the community, they were successful and did not have turn a single family away. The Salvation Army also continues to do their regular social services assistance, food and rent, throughout the Christmas season.