Every time you drop change into one of the Salvation Army's red kettles you are helping people in your own community.
The Salvation Army will donate toys to 7,000 children, and feed 1,300 families in Durham, Orange and Person counties alone.
"This year it'll be about $20,000 worth of toys. We also have to buy about $30,000 of food to feed families a nice Christmas dinner," says Capt. Cape Grice of the Salvation Army.
The Salvation Army helps people like Jerry Rogers when they are in a bind. He picked up two bags of groceries Monday.
"I got tired of laying around with my stomach growling so I came up here to get assistance," says Rogers.
Rogers works full-time, but money is tight this time of year. He hopes more people will reach into their pockets to help people like him.
Other Salvation Army programs offer help long after the holidays. Lisa Cousin is one of many women learning job-skills in a class that's taught year-round.
Cousin will start a new job in January, her first in three years. She is getting off welfare and learning to take care of herself and her son.
"It teaches you confidence, rises your self-esteem, gives you skills you need in today's work force," says Cousin.
The Salvation Army attributes the slowdown in donations to Hurricane Floyd. A lot of people have already donated to charities this year.
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