KENT COUNTY, Mich. -- The application period to register for the Salvation Army's Christmas Assistance Program in Kent County opens next Monday, Sept. 30.
The registration period runs through December 2nd.
Cathy Blackburn is the Salvation Army's Kent County Development Director. She tells WOOD Radio the program helps provide Christmas gifts for thousands of children and others around West Michigan each year.
"It's families that can't afford to provide that Christmas-morning experience for their loved ones. They can go to our website at SAKentCounty.org and they can apply to be able to receive the assistance from us," Blackburn said.
Last year, the Salvation Army of Kent County distributed about 17,000 toys and gift cards to more than 4,000 children.
"Once the applications are all completed, then they will be given a time frame with which they can come when we do the toy distribution in December," Blackburn said.
The Salvation Army of Kent County supported more than 1,700 households last year through the Christmas Assistance Program.
Here is the link to a donation page.
It provided more information in a news release:
Ibn addition to Christmas assistance, The Salvation Army operates numerous programs year-round that include:
- An emergency food pantry which has seen a 400% percent increase in those served over the past several years.
- One of the county’s largest seniors’ programs, which has been assessed and approved by the Area Agency on Aging of West Michigan.
- Housing and Utilities assistance.
- Pathway of Hope which helps families break the cycle of generational poverty.
- As well as programs to help individuals with substance abuse.
To apply go to sakentcounty.org.
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About The Salvation Army
In 2023, The Salvation Army in Kent County helped provide 8,814 meals to senior citizens, 11,423 individuals with groceries, 8,308 households obtain or maintain housing, 892 households with utility assistance, thousands in recovery outpatient services and life-saving detox experiences and served 1,751 households as part of Christmas assistance. Nationally, the Salvation Army uses $.86 of every dollar raised to provide direct services to people in need. For more information, go to www.sakentcounty.org.