Our local chapter of the Salvation Army is celebrating Christmas in July this month, raising funds and awareness of year-round hunger with the help of local businesses.
Our local chapter of the Salvation Army is celebrating Christmas in July this month, raising funds and awareness of year-round hunger with the help of local businesses.Beyond Christmas: Battling Susanville’s Year-round Hunger Problem
by Melissa Blosser
Many people find it in their heart to give during the holiday season but there are many people in Lassen County who struggle to provide food for their families year round.
This April, The Salvation Army started a year round food drive called “Beyond Christmas, 12 months of fillings the grocery gap in Lassen County” or “Beyond Christmas” for short.
“We started the program because we get a large amount of food donations during the holidays and although we do give more food during that time due to our Christmas food boxes, we have a need all year long, “ said Juanita Williams. “Families struggling with unexpected bills, experiencing a lay off or injury need food all throughout the year.“
Currently the Salvation Army gives between 50 and 75 food boxes each month providing families with complete meals for 3 to 4 days. Each box contains essential items including hamburger, pasta, dry goods (mac & cheese, potatoes, hamburger helper), vegetables, fruit, beans, and prepared dinners.
This year round giving requires Salvation Army’s food pantry to be restocked frequently. The Salvation Army is calling on businesses in the community to donate food for a different month out of the year and help support the program.
“We are hopeful that if businesses and service organizations partner with us, our food pantry will stay stocked year round,” said Williams. “This will also relieve some of the burden people may feel to give during the holidays.”
Sunrise Rotary adopted the program in April and gathered 511 pounds of food! Tum-A-Lum has adopted the program for May and in September and the Christian Black Belt Academy will be hosting a food and toy drive. Salvation Army says they are in need of more businesses or service groups to take a month.
Salvation Army will also be having a contest and trophy for the business or organization that donates the most food. At the end of 12 months of the food drive, Salvaton Army will award the business or service organization that donated the most food (by pounds) with the ‘Red Kettle Trophy’ that they can display the next year.
“We are hoping that creating a bit of competition, businesses and service clubs may strive a little harder to bring in the food,” said Williams.
Williams states people are welcome to donate money as well.
“My hope for this program is allow us to serve the community by “Doing the most good with what we are given,” said Williams.
Fighting Hunger Year-Round
Salvation Army keeps the food shelf stocked for those who are hungry
By Theresa Phillips
Lassen Municipal Utility District Energy Services Manager
‘On every street corner you hear – silver bells’ – did you know that the classic holiday song Silver Bells was inspired by the Salvation Army red kettles? The sound of the ringing bells and the coins dropping into the kettle reminds us to give during the holiday season. However, the unmet needs of those less fortunate do not stop after the holidays end – that’s why the Susanville Salvation Army is raising awareness that hunger in our community is a year-round concern.
The Susanville Salvation Army Service Center, located on Main Street in the Grocery Outlet shopping center, strives to meet the needs of the hungry all year long – not an easy task. According to the Center’s director, Juanita Williams, even though the service center receives money from the Salvation Army for operations, it’s not enough to keep up with demand for services. “Manning the food shelf and keeping it stocked with healthy food is a challenge,” says Juanita. “We rely heavily on donations – sometimes the cupboard is literally bare.”
Williams is the only paid staff person in the Susanville Center, she counts on 12 local volunteers to help her with the work load. “It would be impossible for me to do this alone, and there just isn’t money for extra staff – the volunteers are essential.”
The volunteers stock the shelves, help with intake and generally just keep the place running smoothly. Linda Haynes has been volunteering for two years now. When asked why she volunteers Haynes just smiles and says “I retired and thought this would be a great place to volunteer my time.” It’s people like Linda and fellow volunteer Al Landa (a 12 year veteran) that make a difference.
Thousands of pounds of food a year are required to keep the food shelf doors open – so this year Williams came up with a plan – what if local businesses, service groups and agencies each sponsored the food shelf for a month? Her goal is to collect an additional 500 pounds of food each month throughout the year.
Lassen Municipal Utility District has chosen to sponsor the food shelf for the month of August – we are asking our customers to help us reach our goal of 500 pounds of food. Since July 1st, we have been collecting non-perishable food items at our business office – the first 150 customers who bring in at least one item of food will receive a free box of LED holiday lights. Thinks of it as Christmas in July!
Hunger doesn’t end when the holidays are over – it lasts all year long. Please join us as we partner with the Salvation Army to end hunger in our community.
To learn more about how you can help or volunteer your time at the food shelf, contact Juanita Williams at 257-0314.
