WTOC, Savannah, Georgia, news, weather and sports | Lowcountry agencies are looking for Christmas assistance
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BEAUFORT, SC (WTOC) - The holidays are right around the corner and agencies in the Lowcountry are coming together once again to help those who need it the most through Operation Holiday Heroes.
This week, the Salvation Army in Beaufort has been taking information from people, needing assistance with toys and food this Christmas. They say they're seeing a big need this year with more than 50 percent more families needing assistance than last year.
"We're seeing more people that are still unemployed, people that have been layed off for several months that are still looking for work, that seems to be a normal situation," said Capt. Kenny Griffin with the Salvation Army.
The Salvation Army will continue taking applications Friday at their Beaufort office for those living in Northern Beaufort County.
From the United Way of Lowcountry:
The first step for those who need holiday help this year is to request it. Here's how:
Family Independence (FI) program recipients - If you are in the FI program, receive a monthly check from DSS, and live in Beaufort or Bluffton, call your caseworker. (If you are currently in the Family Independence Program and live on Hilton Head Island, contact Deep Well at the information provided below for holiday assistance)
If you live in northern Beaufort County, Salvation Army will be conducting registration from November 9th - 13th from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Their office is located at 2505 North St. in Beaufort.
Requirements to receive assistance - Photo ID, proof of residence (lease or electric bill), SS card or birth certificate for each member of the household, proof of age of the children (birth certificate or immunization record), proof of household income (check stubs or DSS printout), and all bills for the household. If you are not the child's parent you must provide documentation of legal custody/guardianship. If you need additional information, please call 524-3727
If you live in Bluffton: Bluffton Self Help will be conducting their registration process on the following Saturdays from 9:00am - 1:00pm: November 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th, and December 12th - December 5th during the hours of 1:00pm - 3:00pm.
Requirements for Bluffton Self Help - Proof of residence in Bluffton (lease or utility bill) photo ID and birth certificate for each child in the household 12 and under. If you are not the child's parent you must provide documentation of legal custody/guardianship. If you need additional assistance, please call 757-8000
Bluffton Registration - Salvation Army - the Bluffton registration for the Salvation Army program will be on November 16th from 9:00am - 12:00pm and 1:00pm - 2:00pm at the Bluffton Community Center located at 141 Goethe Road. The requirements to receive assistance are the same as for the Beaufort registration process.
If you live in Hilton Head: Deep Well will be conducting their registration process on the following Saturdays from 9:30am - 1:00pm : November 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th, and December 5th and 12th.
Requirements for Deep Well - Current Utility bill (electric, phone, water or cable) with YOUR name and address on it, and a current phone number, Also be prepared to provide names, birth dates, and the school your children attend. If you need further details, please call (843) 785-2849.
Toy Shops will be open in December for pickup of toys and food boxes. Food vouchers can be mailed to senior citizens and others who will be getting just food, not toys, for the holidays.To contribute money for purchase of extra toys and food vouchers
Volunteers are always needed, as well.There are many volunteer opportunities available such as sorting toys, packing food boxes, making angels for the trees and working at the Toy Shops. Spanish-speaking volunteers are especially needed. To volunteer, call the Salvation Army at 524-3727.
Food pantries are also feeling the effects of this economy, and need your help to ensure that people have food to put on their tables for their families. To make donations of canned goods and/or non-perishable food items, please contact the Salvation Army at (843) 524-3727, Bluffton Self Help at (843) 757-8000, or Deep Well at (843) 785-2849 for details.
To learn more about volunteering, or how to make donations, please contact Chrystie Turner at the United Way of the Lowcountry, 982-3040 ext. 24.
If you live in Jasper County:They're taking applications at the United Way Office at 306 Third Avenue in Ridgeland on November 16th - 20th from 9:00 am until 12:00 pm then again from 1:00pm to 3:00pm.
If you'd like to help the cause, send a check made payable to Operation Holiday Heroes to United Way of the Lowcountry at P.O. Box 202, Beaufort, SC 29901.
Donations of toys or money can also be brought to the United Way office at 2266 Boundary St. in Beaufort, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Toys for Tots drop-off locations will be announced soon for contributions of new, unwrapped toys.
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