SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – On Nov. 28, the Syracuse Salvation Army began its Christmas Bureau Registration. The annual charity, known as Distribution Day, occurs during the holiday season to give food and toys to financially struggling families. This year, it will take place on Dec. 20 at the Oncenter.
Nearly 10,000 people will be provided for at the event, so the Salvation Army is calling for about 1,000 volunteers to assist with Distribution Day.
Director of Practical Assistance Services Christina Thronton said that an abundant amount of volunteers are needed to help facilitate what is normally an extremely crowded Christmas Bureau.
“People start lining up outside hours before we actually open,” Thornton said. “So, typically, we get there, there’s a line. Sometimes it goes all the way around the block.”
Director of Emergency Services Allison Brooks added that community help has led to a needed level of consistency during the event.
“Whoever we register at these events walk through in one day and it’s like a well-oiled machine. You’d think it’d be chaotic, but it’s not,” said Brooks.
Families interested in registering for the event must be income-eligible and register in advance. Those receiving temporary assistance benefits from the Department of Social Services will get a “Benefits Summary Sheet” that provides all of the information needed to register for the Christmas Bureau.
Distribution Day will occur from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visit https://easternusa.salvationarmy.org/empire/syracuse/brighten-the-holidays/ for more information.
