SYRACUSE, NY -- Lynn White has been worrying about how she would provide Christmas for her young daughter. White is a single parent and as she waited in line to register for the the Salvation Army's Christmas Bureau she said the service is a blessing.

"Being able to come here and get a Christmas dinner or sign up for food or sign up for presents and being able to see people in the community - that really care makes you feel good and wanted," said White.

Registration for this year's Christmas Bureau started Wednesday in Syracuse. There are sign up locations across Syracuse over the next few weeks. More than 2500 families received food baskets and toys for children last year and the Salvation Army is expecting even more people this year. Demand for emergency food assistance and housing have risen sharply and Christmas Bureau volunteers are seeing the increased need first hand.

"It's eye opening. Just to see what the needs are in the community," said volunteer Ron Koll. "Many people in the rural areas or the suburbs don't have an opportunity to see what the needs are."

For Lynn White and many others, signing up for the Christmas Bureau gives them peace of mind. She said that the personal attention from volunteers at registration helped her feel more confident that her daughter could enjoy the holidays.

"You see so much violence and then you have a program like this that offers peace and kindness and smiles and joy - it just makes you feel light and happy and good inside," said White.

Families need to be registered with the Salvation Army by December 16th if they want to participate in Christmas Bureau distribution on December 22nd.

Registration Locations and Times

Refugee Center

501 Park St.

Wednesday, November 30 10:00 am-6:00 pm

Thursday, December 1 10:00 am-6:00 pm

Friday, December 2 10:00 am-4:00 pm

Onondaga Tabernacle

7453 Morgan Rd., Liverpool 10:00 am-2:00 pm

Saturday, December 3

Huntington Family Center

405 Gifford St.

Monday, December 5 10:00 am-6:00 pm

Dunbar Center

1453 S. State St.

Tuesday, December 6 10:00 am-6:00 pm

First English Lutheran Church

501 James St.

Wednesday, December 7 10:00 am-6:00 pm

P.E.A.C.E. Inc., Eastside Family Resource Center

202 S. Beech St.

Thursday, December 8 10:00 am-6:00 pm

Greater Love in Christ Church

2026 Midland Ave.

Friday, December 9 10:00 am-4:00 pm

Salina Civic Center

2826 Lemoyne Ave., Mattydale

Saturday, December 10 10:00 am-2:00 pm

Oncenter

800 S. State St.

Monday, December 12 10:00 am-6:00 pm

Tuesday, December 13 10:00 am-6:00 pm

Wednesday. December 14 10:00 am-6:00 pm

Thursday, December 15 10:00 am-6:00 pm