Christmas Assistance Sign-Ups End Thursday at Salvation Army

Day two of the three-day Salvation Army Christmas Assistance registration was bustling, with a mid-morning rush that had already brought more than 60 new applicants through the door.

Jennifer Horn, who serves as the organization's Director of Development and Community Affairs, said 155 of the 220 who had signed up as of 10 a.m. Wednesday had come on Tuesday.

"I'm told that historically we get about 100 sign-ups a day, but yesterday we had 155," Horn said. "That's a lot. Our numbers have been up this year in general, so we're bracing ourselves for high demand for Christmas assistance."

Last year the Salvation Army helped about 800 families with supplemental help, which includes gift items for children.

Families must meet certain criteria to qualify and provide the following at registration: photo ID; birth certificates for all children in the household; copy of current income tax or verification of household income; copy of their current lease; verification of residency, such as a lease or utility bill. Families already receiving holiday assistance from another organization or agency are asked not to apply. 

That said, the Salvation Army does not limit the number of applicants it will take.

"We'll take as many as we can and then do the best we can to make sure everyone gets some assistance," Horn said.

Sign ups continue at the Salvation Army out building, 1 Montgomery Avenue, in Nashua, today (Oct. 23) until noon and then again from 4-7 p.m., and then wrap up Oct. 24 from 9:30 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Those who miss the three-day registration are encouraged to call 603-889-5151 to be placed on a waiting list for assistance, Horn said. 

Also needed: Donations and volunteers. Please call 603-889-5151, ext.17 and speak with Major Norma Moore, yor email her at Norma_Moore@use.salvationarmy.org if you have some time and resources to share.

Qualifying guidelines for assistance:

Family of 2: Income under $37,600
Family of 3: Income under $42,300
Family of 4: Income under $47,000
Family of 5: Income under $50,800
Family of 6: Income under $54,500
Family of 7: Income under $58,300