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BROOKSVILLE –
For the past four Thanksgivings, Emma Everett has received a free meal from the Salvation Army Hernando County Corps.
As a retiree living on Social Security and Supplemental Security Income, Everett, 80, struggles to pay her household bills, let alone buy food.
With an arm full of bills and SSI stubs, Everett waited patiently in the Salvation Army’s packed lobby Tuesday morning to fill out a Thanksgiving dinner application, in hopes of qualifying for assistance again this holiday season.
“It helps me out a lot,” she said. “So many people have families and aren’t able to supply them with food, so this is a really big help to us.”
The Salvation Army is accepting applications through Oct. 14 for its annual Thanksgiving dinners as well as the Christmas Angel Tree Program.
Both provided more than 1,000 Hernando County residents with meals, clothing and toys last year.
Applicants must provide photo identification, birth certificates for children 12 and younger, the last four digits of Social Security numbers for all persons in the household, proof of residence, proof of household income and all bills.
Corps Capt. Josue Prieto said in order for the organization to better serve low-income individuals and families, it’s necessary for applicants to supply as much information as possible.
“Our interest is to really help people who need it,” he said.
Prieto said while criteria for applications may vary depending on the state of the economy, the process has remained relatively the same since the programs were implemented more than 20 years ago.
As an extra precaution, Prieto said, the Salvation Army works with other local organizations, including Jericho Road Ministries and United Way, to keep track of who has already received assistance from which charity.
“It’s in order to help more people, more families,” he said.
“For us, this is not just a tradition. You see people saying thank you and it’s awesome.”
He added that he has never had problems with applicants trying to cheat the process because most are willing to present the required documents.
“In general, everyone who comes in has all their paperwork,” he said.
“We just try to accommodate everyone we can.”
Everett said she doesn’t mind following all of the steps because every bit of assistance helps.
“Some people try to take advantage of the system,” she said. “We need to thank the Lord that we have these programs.”
The Salvation Army Hernando County Corps is accepting applications for its Thanksgiving dinners and its Christmas Angel Tree Program from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Friday and on Monday, Tuesday and Oct. 14.
Proof of all household income includes food stamps, pay stubs, unemployment, alimony or child support papers.
Documentation of expenses includes lease agreements and electric bills.
For more information, call at (352) 796-1186 or visit the Salvation Army at 15464 Cortez Blvd.
