Pocono News Section

Long Lines at Salvation Army

Long Lines at Salvation Army - Monday, December 22, 2008 at 3:17PM EST

Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Monday, Dec 22, 2008 @ 03:17pm EST
EAST STROUDSBURG - Hundreds of pepole stood outside in the cold and wind for more than an hour to pick up Christmas help at the Salvation Army.

The line for food started inside the Salvation Army, stretched out into the snow, and for a while into the street. So many people needed help this year that police showed up to direct traffic.

"You wait a little bit but thank God someone is helping us in this economy, thank God," said Andra Gracie. She and Denetra Grimes stood in the cold for more than an hour to pick up ingredients for a Christmas meal.

Denetra just welcomed a baby. She said, "It's kinda hard right now with the economy the way it is. It's hard to stretch everything out."

And Andra is trying to care for her son who has severe asthma. She said, "You know it's hard with medical bills and different things like that."

They never thought they'd need help, and neither did many of the hundreds who shivered in line with them. Jill Brink of the Salvation Army said, "That's a sign of our economy. It is sad that that many people need to come for help."

Many people said the wait is longer and the line is longer because so many people need help for the first time this year. Mellissa Schorer is one of them. She said, "It's kinda sad that I have to do this but grateful too."

Brink said, "I have a lot of first time people and a lot of people that I haven't seen for five or six years."

The Salvation Army packed Christmas meals for about 500 families this year. "I hope God blesses them. I really do," said Grimes.

Denetra and Andra think they'll be in better shape next year. But they say they'll be back at the Salvation Army, on the serving side of the food line.

Denetra said, "If it's given to me, I'm gonna give it back and bless somebody else."

In addition to giving food to about 500 families, the Salvation Army gave toys to about 700 families. Officials said they had plenty to give thanks to generous donations from the Pocono Community.