WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Santa's elves spent Wednesday morning handing out toys and food at the Williamsport Salvation Army. They're making sure 448 families get everything they need for Christmas.
"We're homeless right now, so I have a 12-year-old son, can't get him much, so it's just very helpful. I think it's a great thing for the community does for everybody every year; it's just a great organization," said Lucinda Schoff, Williamsport.
"We gave families the opportunity to come in between 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. or 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., and they could choose what time frame they came in so that they wouldn't be standing out in the cold for hours trying to get in to get their stuff, now they stand outside for maybe 15 minutes tops before they get in and they're in the warm," said Major Sheryl Hershey Williamsport Salvation Army.
Major Sheryl Hershey with the Williamsport Salvation Army says she is seeing the need grow in the community. Hershey says some parents are working multiple jobs to make ends meet, and the Salvation Army is stepping up to make sure they're able to have a Christmas.
"Each child has received about 15 toys if not a few more, so the parent will be able to use a little bit of money to go out and spend on their children but wouldn't have to and could put that towards food that we don't supply for them," said Major Hershey.
Hershey says all of this wouldn't be possible without the support from the community and volunteers who help throughout the year.
"People donate through the boxes around the community—the toys, so it's really exciting to see, and it's heartwarming this time of year to see how the community supports the Salvation Army and the families," said Tracie Witter, PPL Electric Utilities.
The Salvation Army plans to serve 50 more families on Friday.