By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — It may be hard to believe, but with the holiday season just around the corner, there are opportunities to volunteer with the Salvation Army coming up.
"Ringing bells is coming up soon," said Maj. Paul James with the Salvation Army. "We're going to be starting that on the 20th. We also need volunteers for the toy shop and for Christmas baskets. There's a lot of things that takes a lot of manpower to make happen."
The need has been both constant and large this year.
"It's been pretty hectic, just with the need for rent and utility assistance," James said. "We spent about $46,000 over our budget, which is amazing, mostly because people were generous enough to help us to do that. We're excited to be able to do that. It's been really busy."
Throughout November BW radio's Project Concern fundraiser continues. Project Concern helps with getting Thanksgiving assistance for families in Reno County. The screening process for receiving families this year is online.
"Because of COVID, we've switched over to that," James said. "It's more convenient for everybody. We don't have long lines of people waiting to fill out papers and then show documents and then us to type it all into the computer. This year, again, we'll be doing it all electronically."
The easiest way to apply for aid is through links at their Facebook page.
To donate, bring checks for the Salvation Army to the Eagle Media Studios at 825 North Main during regular business hours, make them out to the Salvation Army and put Project Concern on the subject line.