The Haines Salvation Army is asking for immediate donations of cash, non-perishable food and volunteers to help with meal service during the Thanksgiving holiday.
The organization will be providing Thanksgiving meals and food baskets for more than 300 people this year, said Lt. Dave Kyle.
“We need $3,000 just to cover the costs of providing food to those in need in Haines this Thanksgiving season,” Kyle said. The number of families finding themselves in desperate financial straits continues to increase in Haines, he said.
“We know people have been seriously affected by the deep recession over the past few years, and we are grateful to generous friends who have provided faithful support for those struggling to make ends meet. Unfortunately, the need has not decreased, and the level of public support is just not keeping up. It is particularly sad for us to see the growing numbers of families with children who have lost their homes and are now needing our help,” Kyle said.
“The economic situation has contributed to the drop in local donations too. In fact, some who have been generous supporters in the past are now coming to our doors in need of help themselves,” he said.
Kyle said he’s confident the community will “once again step forward and help those who need it most. We’ve been doing this work for over 100 years so we’re not going to turn away any deserving neighbor now,” Kyle said.
Thanksgiving boxes will be available Nov. 21 and a Thanksgiving meal will be held Nov. 28. To donate, call 1-800-SAL-ARMY, 303-2355, mail your gift to P.O. Box 550, or make a donation online at usw.salvationarmy.org/Haines.