ATHOL — Athol Salvation Army Lt. Melissa Lowell is making an appeal to the public for donations of food items for the annual Thanksgiving basket distribution for local families in need.
There are 230 families signed up and more of the following items are sought: turkeys, vegetables, stuffing, fresh potatoes or mix, cranberry sauce and gravy.
Donations may be dropped off at the Salvation Army, 107 Ridge Ave., daily from 9 a.m. to noon, or Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The facility is not open on Saturday.
The give-a-way is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 20.
The Ringing of the Bells Red Kettle Campaign will kick off Saturday, Nov. 24 with a free breakfast in the Salvation Army from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Open to all. The breakfast will be prepared by the Salvation Army Advisory Board members.
Groups and individuals are needed to help ring the bells through Dec. 24. Volunteers are invited to visit the Salvation Army to fill out an application or call 978-249-8111 to learn about the available time slots.
The Red Kettle collections allow the Salvation Army to provide food and social services to those in need throughout the year.