Lorain Salvation Army hands out food, toys to over 600 families

Salvation Army officials continue working to make sure no county resident or family goes without food or presents for Christmas. Over 600 families signed up to participate in the Salvation Army Lorain Corps’ annual Christmas Assistance food and toy giveaway Dec. 18 and 19.

Lt. Jimmy Susa, commanding officer for the Salvation Army Lorain Corps, said the number of families who have signed up to participate in the giveaway is up from last year.

“This year, we have 685 families signed up,” Susa said. “That’s a sig-” nificant increase from last year when we had a little over 400. As you can see, the need is big in Lorain County.”

And while the premise of the annual event is to provide residents with presents during the holidays, Susa said the Salvation Army workers themselves receive the greatest gift in giving.

“Each child signed up gets three to four toys and the entire family receives a food box with all the essentials to make a delicious Christmas dinner,” he said excitedly. “Knowing that there are many people in Lorain County who struggle and spend what they don’t have during the holidays, we really get the greatest gift in helping them out and making their Christmas a little brighter.”

Susa said the Corps office has witnessed a growth in the number of local agencies willing to donate and volunteer for the cause.

“Cleveland Clinic, the Amherst Police Department, Avon Baptist Church, Speedway and Hot Dog Heaven are just a few of the agencies who have donated their time and money to make sure others won’t have to go without on Christmas,” he said. “Their support has been a big blessing to the families signed up for this program. We can’t thank them enough.”

The great thing about the giveaway, Susa said, is that there are no requirements to apply for it other than providing proof of residency.

“There’s no income verification or any other type of requirement that has to be met in order to sign up for the giveaway,” he added. “As long as you’re a Lorain County resident, you’re eligible.”

Eric Bonzar/EBonzar@morningjournal com Lieutenant Jimmy Susa, of the Salvation Army’s Lorain Corps located at 2506 Broadway Ave., said his organization accepted food and toy donations for their annual food and toy donation drive held Dec. 18 and Dec. 19.