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41 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, January 27, 2005 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Real Estate Guide Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People Volunteer Opportunities Moving to Southern Oregon? MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend December 17, 2004 Salvation Army is short of toys, food By JONEL ALECCIA Mail Tribune Demand doubled this week for toys and food from the Salvation Army’s annual holiday drive, leaving the Medford agency short of supplies for about 400 poor families. "When we ran the numbers on Monday, we knew we were in a world of hurt," said Development Director Carrie Hanson. Nearly 900 families are now expected to show up for toys and food when distribution begins Tuesday. That’s up from more than 700 families served last year. "So many families who have been making it month-to-month have used up their reserves," Hanson said. The increased need surprised Salvation Army workers tracking holiday requests this week. Until now, the agency had been receiving about 30 applications for help each day, Hanson said. Advertisement "We were thinking we were right on track," she said. "But then it went up to 60 applications per day." More than 300 families have registered for help in one week alone, Hanson said. The most pressing needs include nonperishable food and toys for children ages 9 to 12. Most welcome would be canned goods, boxed stuffing, instant mashed potatoes and other food. Best toy donations include classics such as Legos, coloring supplies, footballs, basketballs and board games, as well as newer playthings. "I know the Bratz dolls are popular for girls," Hanson said. "Maybe the best idea is to go to the store, find a child and ask them what they would like." Distribution will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday at the Salvation Army church, 304 Beatty St. Applications for toys and food will be accepted from 9 a.m. to noon today. People hoping for assistance should bring government-issued identification — Social Security cards — for themselves and their children, as well as photo identification and income verification, such as a recent pay stub. The Salvation Army provides help to families with incomes at or below 150 percent of federal poverty guidelines. That’s about $28,000 for a family of four. Past efforts to double-check identities of people who get assistance from the Salvation Army and elsewhere are more difficult with new federal privacy guidelines in place, Hanson said. "We’re not as able to cross-check," she said. "We had two families who have been adopted out by local churches who said, ‘You can take me off your list,’ but it is on the honor system." Donations can be delivered to the Salvation Army offices on Beatty Street through Monday. For more information, call 773-6965. Reach reporter JoNel Aleccia at 776-4465, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Student Loan Consolidation Conference Calls - $50/Month Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker, Trunk, Footlockers