Salvation Army assistance underway

APPLETON - During the past decade, the number of people seeking assistance from the Salvation Armies around the area has increased.

The Fox Cities chapter says the number it has helped has more than doubled.

The Salvation Army says the economy is forcing more people to look for help even as donations are starting to drop.

Salvation Army volunteers say people were camped outside their Christmas assistance office at 10 o'clock Sunday night and the line stretched around the building before the doors opened.

"The need seems to be greater this year," said Salvation Army-Fox Cities Captain Randy Tooley.

The numbers have been trending upward since 2002. Then, Salvation Army officials say roughly 1,100 people came for assistance during the holidays. This year they expect that number to be more than 2,500.

"Especially in the last few years we are seeing that with the economy we're seeing more folks that maybe would not normally come to the Salvation Army," said Tooley.

People like Dawn Steele of Menasha, getting coats for her four children as her family gets back on its feet.

"Having four children it is handy because they outgrow everything so fast and a little help is always needed," said Steele.

Despite coats of every color and size ready for distribution, Captain Tooley says donations are actually down more than 1,000 coats over last year. A concern he hopes doesn't carry over to the kettles.

The Salvation Army hopes to raise $1.2 million through the kettle campaign this year. The same amount as last year.

"I know that I am very excited about the thought of raising 1.2 million or making it even more so that we can set some national records," said Tooley.

The kind of optimism those seeking assistance say the program can bring their families even in the tough times ahead.

"We got rid of little things like Internet and cable and stuff that you really don't need and just learn to live with what you have," said Steele.

Thanks to the generosity of others.

Registration for Christmas assistance is runs through 1 o'clock Wednesday afternoon. The office is located in the former Copps grocery store near Appleton East High School.