Tamaqua Salvation Army gives out toys, food, to the needy

For many, it was a saving grace that will serve to brighten the holiday season.

And they have the Tamaqua Salvation Army’s annual Christmas pickup — including Toys for Tots and the Angel Tree — to thank for it.

The Tamaqua Salvation Army gave out presents and food on Wednesday to low-income families.

It provides for 260 families, as over 310 children received a complete office of clothing, winter coats, hats and scarves, according to Major Sharon Whispell.

Toys from Toys for Tots, as well as food that consisted of stuffing, potatoes, gravy, vegetables, soup, pudding, Jiffy mix, apples and cranberry sauce were distributed to low-income families.

Whispell said that while their numbers were down from last year by about 50 families, they also had about 30 new families.

“Part of this is that a lot of the seniors that normally come did not,” Whispell said. “Partly because of their passing, and others because they were having dinner with their families.”

Whispell said they get their gifts from the community through its Angel Tree program.

“I believe this is important because there’s such a need in our community for people to feel like they can provide for their families, and this is a way for them to do that,” she said. “It also shows them that people care for them and want to help them to get back on their feet.”

Ronald Paul of Reevesdale was extremely grateful that he will have toys and food for his kids.

“It’s a big help,” Paul said. “Things are tough right now.”

Shannon Hartfield of Tamaqua said she, too, was very appreciative.

“This is a blessing for low-income families that need help,” Hartfield said. “And giving back to the community, and helping people in need.”

Whispell expressed her joy to all those who helped ensure the program was once again a huge success.

“I just want to say thank you to all of those that volunteered their time to come and help us by whether they took an angel from a tree, whether they gave to Toys for Tots, or they helped us pack bags of food, or whether they donated their time to help us during the distribution,” she said. “Without their help, we could not do all that we do, so I just want to say thank you for your help and support.”