Salvation Army Vineland Corps seeks help with Adopt A Family for Christmas

From Staff Reports
·2 min read

VINELAND - Hoping to work some Christmas magic, the Salvation Army Vineland Corps is trying to put those who can help in touch with those in need.

This year about 300 struggling families are hoping to participate in Adopt A Family, the annual goodwill matchmaker program, according to Salvation Army Case Manager Aubrie Bonestell.

Those who would like to help may call the Salvation Army at (856) 696-5050 to be paired with a family screened by the organization.

The staff of the nonprofit organization will supply you with a wish list of items for a specific family. This usually includes the children’s clothing and shoe sizes as well as toy interests. Household items the whole family can benefit from are encouraged as well as supermarket gift cards to help with a holiday meal.

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“In my five years working here I have never heard so many stories of people struggling financially, emotionally and spiritually as I do now,” said Bonestell.

Each Christmas, the Salvation Army prepares to assist those in the Greater Cumberland County area dealing with poverty.

Salvation Army Case Manager Aubrie Bonestell places tags on the angel tree at the Salvation Army Vineland Corps office at 733 E. Chestnut Ave., in Vineland. Donors are invited to select a tag, which has information on an individual child, and buy something for the child to help make the holiday a little brighter. Items must be dropped off by Dec. 13.

The Salvation Army fundraises through its traditional Red Kettle bell-ringers stationed at the entrances of several local stores. They also host a food pantry at their headquarters at 733 E. Chestnut Ave., serving weekly.

The pandemic has effected many families in many different ways.

“It’s not just financially people are broken it’s also emotionally and spiritually. The pandemic has many spirits low. Emotionally people are just exhausted,” said Bonestell.

People who said they never thought they would have to ask for help are now reluctantly doing so, according to Bonestell.

For families that are not adopted, the Salvation Army hosts angel tree tags that highlight the needs of individual children. People may stop by the East Chestnut Avenue office to select a tag.

Donors may also drop off new unwrapped presents to Salvation Army headquarters to be given to local children.

Items must be dropped off by Dec.13 at the Salvation Army office at 733 E. Chestnut Ave., so they may be distributed in time for Christmas.

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This article originally appeared on Vineland Daily Journal: Salvation Army Vineland seeks assistance with Adopt A Family