By Shavonne Walker
shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Every day, volunteers and staff at the Salvation Army of Rowan County pick up and unload food donated by area grocery stores and restaurants.

The food, which can include fruit, vegetables, bread and juice, goes to families in need, some of whom just aren’t able to make ends meet. The families sign up to receive food assistance by appointment.

“All of that stuff would go to waste. We have a record number of folks in poverty,” said Corps Capt. Karl Dahlin of the Salvation Army.

He said some items received are produce and, on occasion, meats. The food comes from Food Lion on West Jake Alexander Boulevard and in Spencer as well as the Starbucks bakery and Papa John’s Pizza.

The Salvation Army partners with Second Harvest Food Bank.

The Salvation Army has been in the Rowan County community for more than 100 years. It is a Rowan County United Way member agency, meaning it receives some financial assistance. But the bulk of what the agency receives comes through community donations.

“You can see the people we are going to be serving. People write in and say, ‘I have nothing; can you help me?'” Dahlin said.

The Salvation Army not only provides food through its pantry but oversees a number of programs including distribution of aid from the Christmas Happiness Fund, the Red Kettle Campaign — which is the organization’s biggest annual fundraiser — and the Angel Tree.

The Christmas Happiness Fund was set up by the Salisbury Post more than 60 years ago after editor Spencer Murphy reached out to the community to help area children have a better Christmas. In recent years, the Salvation Army has taken on distribution of those gift cards to area families.

The Red Kettle Campaign relies on shoppers who patronize area merchants to give. This year, about 10 kettles have been placed at businesses including Walmart and Food Lion. Volunteers and some paid workers stand for hours in the cold greeting shoppers and ringing the bell for donations.

The Angel Tree provides new unwrapped toys, shoes and clothing for area children. Area businesses and residents “adopt” a child.

Often, the gifts the children receive are the only gifts they receive, said Salvation Army Capt. Janice Dahlin.

The Salvation Army also operates a resale store at 521 W. Jake Alexander Blvd., where proceeds support the organization.

The Salvation Army of Rowan County is located at 620 Bringle Ferry Road. For more information about its programs, call 704-636-6491.

Here is the link to the complete list: https://www.salisburypost.com/2018/11/25/sharing-the-season-2018-list/