Christmas Bureau, Oncenter, Syracuse
/ File photo
SYRACUSE -- A record number of families have signed up for this year's Christmas Bureau Distribution.
The Salvation Army says 2,932 families registered for this year's event at the Oncenter in downtown Syracuse, which will be held on Thursday. That's an increase of 500 families from last year.
In response to the increasing need, Wegmans Food Markets is donating more than 17,000 pounds of non-perishable food items to this year's Distribution Day. The shipment is arriving Tuesday afternoon and will include 4,818 lbs. of canned vegetables, 5,768 lbs. of pasta and 1,190 lbs. of canned soups and meals. Wegmans will also provide 3,000 loaves of bread.
"Wegmans has been a vital Christmas Bureau Partner for many years," says Linda Wright, Executive Director for Professional and Community Services. "This year, we've seen a 42% increase in the number of meals being provided by our food pantry, so we knew that Christmas Bureau numbers would be up as well." Realizing the need was so great, the Salvation Army solicited even more donations. "This contribution will ensure that we are able to provide food baskets to more than 2,900 families on Thursday at the Oncenter, with these baskets containing enough food for a Christmas meal and extra food to help feed children through the school break," Wright said.
Christmas Bureau Distribution is a community wide effort that provides turkeys, food baskets, toys, books and stocking stuffers to low-income families each Christmas. The pre-registered families will get to choose gifts for approximately 7,500 children and will receive food baskets packed by an army of volunteers. "What makes Christmas Bureau truly special is the number of companies, community groups, schools, churches and individuals that come together each year to make sure that struggling families have the opportunity to celebrate Christmas," says Major George Polarek, Area Coordinator for The Salvation Army in Syracuse.
Over the last three years, Christmas Bureau has served more than 9,000 families and more than 22,000 children.
