On Thursday, the Emporia Salvation Army said it needed a lot of food for its pantry.
On KVOE’s 8:05 am newscast Friday, Capt. Deb Thompson detailed why — and it’s all about coronavirus and its impact to the local economy.
There has been an increase in the number of families needing help, but more notable has been a sharp increase of about 30 to 40 individuals recently.
Thompson also said most kinds of nonperishable foods — aside from ramen noodles or macaroni and cheese — are needed now. The list includes cereal, oatmeal, pancake mix, syrup, breakfast bars, shelf milk, baking items, spaghetti and sauce, canned fruit, peanut butter and jam, and boxed helper meals.
If you can help, call the Salvation Army office at 342-3093 and do so before you drop off your items.
Speaking of food, Thompson said there will be an emergency food box distribution through the Kansas Department for Children and Families next Thursday. Boxes will be distributed in front of the Salvation Army Annex at 209 West Fourth from 1-4 pm.
Also, Thompson says there has been an increase in people needing help paying rent or utilities.
Disaster Hazard Box Distribution guidelines
*Distribution between 1-4 pm April 23 on the north side of the Salvation Army Annex, 209 West Fourth
*Vehicles need to enter from the west. Drivers and passengers need to stay in their vehicles except to load boxes. Salvation Army staff will not walk across the street to load vehicles.
*People walking to the annex will need to stay six feet away from non-family members
*Residents with last names beginning in the letters A-H need to come to the annex between 1-2 pm. Residents with last names beginning in the letters I-P need to stop by between 2-3 pm. Residents with last names beginning in the letters Q-Z need to attend between 3-4 pm
