Deadline approaching for holiday assistance

With the holiday season rapidly approaching, one local nonprofit is about to wrap up registration for assistance during the holidays.

The Salvation Army of Yuma County has registered more than 700 families so far for assistance with food and toys for the holiday season.

Yuma County families have until Friday to register with Salvation Army volunteers, who will asses the family's need and register them. Families may register at the Salvation Army Family Store, located at 600 W. Catalina Drive in Yuma.

According to a news release from the Salvation Army, registration hours are from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. through Oct. 23.

Clients must provide a photo ID, proof of residency in Yuma County, Social Security cards for every member of the household and proof of all household income (recent pay slips or other income), said Capt. Jonathan Harvey in the release.

The Salvation Army anticipates registering more than 1,400 families by the end of the week, Harvey said in the release, based on the dramatic increase in request for assistance other programs have experienced in recent months.

This year the Salvation Army is doubling its efforts this Thanksgiving, Harvey said in a separate release.

"In response to a request from the city of Somerton Parks and Recreation Department, the Salvation Army will provide Thanksgiving meals in Yuma and Somerton this year, doubling the number of meals traditionally served," Harvey said in the release.

There will be a Thanksgiving Eve meal hosted by the Salvation Army at the Somerton Community Center, located at 805 W. Main St. in Somerton. They will also host a meal served at the Yuma Boys and Girls Club, located at 1100 South 13th Ave.

Both meals will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 25.

Harvey said in the release that beyond feeding hungry people, the Salvation Army seeks to restore dignity to families who are forced to seek help around the holiday.

"The Salvation Army will not require families to go through a line to get their food," he said in the release. "An 'Army' of volunteers will be recruited to serve the traditional Thanksgiving meal right to their tables.

"Our guests will treated with special care and attention as our volunteers seek to cater to their specific needs."

For more information or to help provide food and toys for low income families, the public is encouraged to call the Salvation Army at (928) 783-0181. Financial contributions can be earmarked "Food and Toys" and mailed to the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 6227, Yuma, AZ 85366.

Stephanie A. Wilken can be reached at swilken@yumasun.com or 539-6857.