From the Daily News

Salvation Army short on Thanksgiving food

By Katie Farrell Lovett
Staff writer
NEWBURYPORT — Thanksgiving is just one week away, and The Salvation Army workers are getting nervous.

Although several companies are running holiday food drives, Major Kathy Purvis said the local chapter of the Salvation Army may not have enough food this year to distribute to all the families who have signed up for a turkey and supplies to make all the fixings.

"Usually by this time, our pantry is quite full of extra stuff," Purvis said. "The shelves aren't as full as they normally are."

The Salvation Army will distribute the Thanksgiving meal packages on Tuesday and will accept donations right up until that morning. Donations can be brought to The Salvation Army's office at 40 Water St.

Currently, they need turkeys, stuffing mix, vegetables, any kind of potatoes, dinner rolls, pie crust and filling, gravy, and anything else that might make a Thanksgiving dinner complete, Purvis said.

Last year, 75 local families signed up for a Thanksgiving meal package. This year, 65 families are signed up, but there are single people on a waiting list who will come after the families get their supplies, Purvis said.

The Salvation Army is also collecting monetary donations. Following Thanksgiving, the organization will start accepting items for their Christmas dinner packages, Purvis said.

The food pantry is also in need of "winter" food, such as soups, Purvis added.

Purvis said she's unsure why this year is bringing less donations than previous years. Usually when the economy is poor, The Salvation Army does well, she added.

"Maybe people just aren't thinking about it too much," she said.

"In advance, we thank everybody who is going to contribute this year in one way or the other," Purvis said.

DONATIONS NEEDED

The Salvation Army is in need of the following items to distribute to families to make for Thanksgiving diner:

Turkeys

Stuffing mix

Vegetables

Any kind of potatoes,

Dinner rolls

Pie crust and filling

Gravy

Donations can be brought to The Salvation Army at 40 Water St. in Newburyport as late as Tuesday morning before noon