Salvation Army hosts holiday programs

GRANT COUNTY — The Salvation Army is moving to a new location and has several programs underway this holiday season.

Executive Director Ken Palek said they are in the process of moving from their Broadway Avenue office to the Desert Plaza located at 212 Alder St. in Moses Lake.

He explained they are moving to a less expensive location so more donations can go toward the people needing it.

The need for assistance is greater this year, he added.

They will operate out of both locations until the move is complete. Palek estimates they could be finished moving by this week.

The Salvation Army continues to look for volunteers to ring bells for the red kettle campaign.

Palek said there is a lack of volunteers this year and they need the help to gather donations to help needy families in Grant County. Volunteers can ring bells in two hour shifts Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

He said the locations are Safeway, Walmart, Food Pavilion, Moses Lake Post Office and Lep-re-kon in Moses Lake. The Ephrata locations are Safeway and Country Deli.

The final day of the program is Dec. 22. It’s been underway since Nov. 14.

The Salvation Army will have three angel trees on display at Walgreens, Denny’s Restaurant and their office in Moses Lake.

The trees are part of a gift giving program benefiting children who might not otherwise receive a Christmas present this year, he said.

The trees feature tags with information about a child and the gift they hope for, Palek said.

People can take a tag and buy a gift for the child. The gift should be returned to the Salvation Army office on Alder Street along with the tag so they know who the gift is for.

The parents of the children pick up the gifts at their office and wrap them, Palek explained. They give them to their kids as though they purchased the gifts themselves.

People can also donate gift wrapping materials to the office for parents to use.

For more information, contact the Salvation Army at 509-766-5875.