The Salvation Army sees 15 percent increase in need for Christmas support
The Salvation Army in Greater St. Louis celebrates another Christmas season by giving back to its most marginalized neighbors. Each year, with the support of the local community, they help area families ensure that children have gifts under the tree on Christmas morning via their Angel Tree Toy Town program. And in 2024, The Salvation Army will serve more than 6,500 children in St. Louis City and County, a 15 percent increase year-over-year.
The Salvation Army has been collecting new toy donations since July with the help of more than 120 community partners who are serving as donation hosts. In addition, Two Men and a Truck is a sponsor of Toy Town, helping transport toys to the distribution center.
Toys will be distributed to parents and guardians Dec. 16-19. For the past four years, gifts have been pre-bagged and distributed straight to parent/guardian vehicles due to COVID-19. This year, The Salvation Army will return to a “shopping” experience, giving parents and guardians the dignity to hand-select gifts at our distribution center. Parents and guardians will be able to “shop” and select items for their children at The Salvation Army Distribution Center (10634 St. Charles Rock Road, St. Ann, MO 63074) from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 16, 17 and 19, with hours extended to 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 18.
For those in the St. Louis metro area, donations can be made online at Salarmy.us/STLAngelTree (Sal Army dot us forward slash S T L Angel Tree), which also includes links to their Walmart and Amazon Wish Lists as well as volunteer sign-up opportunities should individuals or groups be interested in working at toy distribution.
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army annually helps nearly 30 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction and economic hardships through a range of social services. Founded in London, England, in 1865, The Salvation Army has been active in Missouri and Southern Illinois since 1880. The Salvation Army Midland Division provides a wide range of services for those in need in the community including corps community centers, Emergency Disaster Services, Emergency Social Services, housing programs, feeding programs and emergency shelter. For more information, visit http://www.salarmymidland.org.
