Salvation Army accepting virtual applications for holiday assistance

TOLEDO, Ohio — For the second year, The Salvation Army opened virtual applications for holiday assistance.

"It just allows families who are in need at Christmastime to sign up," explained Major Tom Duperree, area commander for The Salvation Army of Greater Toledo. "They can sign up to receive a gift card to Kroger and they can buy the items they want on their dinner table at Christmas. But then it also allows them to come through the toy shop and pick up toys for their children."

The application allows families to apply for help from their home.

Right now with 1,500 applications in 24 hours, The Salvation Army predicts there might be an increased need in the community.

"We've just seen this calendar year, just slight increases all the way across the board. The cause? I don't know, but what I do know, families are hurting and they need our help more than ever."

While this application is for Lucas County residents only, there are similar applications for other counties. But Duperree added that the organization will help anyone in need.

"It is the greatest privilege, it's a humbling privilege to be a link in this process, to take the goodness and the generosity of our great community to allow us to coordinate the distribution of those resources."

Applications can be submitted at salvationarmyassistance.org.

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