Salvation Army gives toys, food to families in need

More than 900 families in Eastern North Carolina received assistance through the Christmas Cheer program sponsored by the Salvation Army this week. The program provides toys and food for families in need during the holiday season.

Latasha Milton and her sons, 2-year-old Kevin and 1-year-old Donte, were one of those families.

“It’s really a big help because I’ve recently been laid off,” Milton said. “Without an organization like this, I would not be able to provide for my kids’ Christmas.”

The Rose Hill resident found out about the program through the Duplin County Department of Social Services. Milton beamed from ear-to-ear as she walked around the Salvation Army picking out toys for her sons.

Maj. Pam Starr, Salvation Army corps officer, said each child is eligible to receive two toys and several smaller stocking stuffers such as crayons, Play-Doh and miniature stuffed animals.

Starr has helped coordinate the Christmas Cheer program for the past 23 years. Although she admitted it’s part of her job, she said the joy it brings is the greatest compensation.

“I enjoy doing it,” she said. “We look forward to this time of year.

“Seeing the faces as people leave makes it nice.”

Starr said residents of Lenoir, Greene and Duplin counties began signing up for the program during the last week of October. In order to be eligible, families must be in the 150 percentile of the poverty level or have a family member enrolled in Medicaid.

Families received a bag of food that included canned foods, rolls and chicken for families to cook a Christmas dinner.

“We bought the food with donations,” Starr said.

Shakari Sutton of Kinston said she felt fortunate to benefit from the program. She acknowledged that without the help of the Salvation Army her son, 1-year-old Kimari Lewis, might have gone without this Christmas.

“It means a whole lot since I couldn’t provide for him this time,” she said. “I do home health care and right now I have no clients.”

Sarah Campbell can be reached at 252-559-1076 or scampbell@freedomenc.com.