Kingston Salvation Army provides food for those in need

KINGSTON – This week the 2023 season of gratuity gets underway with Thanksgiving and continues for another month through Christmas.

The Salvation Army in the City of Kingston is ready to gather and distribute food and gifts for both holidays. And about 15O people were expected for a full sit-down meal Wednesday, and possibly more are expected using the charity’s grocery program.

“People have already come and signed up, and we already know many hot meals we are going to need,” said Capt. Erik Muhs, “and we are so blessed the Ulster Italian Foundation is coming to help us do all the cooking.”

Groceries are being provided by Hannafords, and Muhs said Wednesday’s food can last through the beginning of next week.

“We hope to give them not just a meal for the day,” he said, “but enough food until Monday when we are open again.”

When Thanksgiving passes on, the giving for Christmas immediately gets underway. And the Salvation Army is already gathering donations.

“We already have our red kettles out collecting the funds we need that fund us throughout the entire year,” said Muhs.

A donation goal of $50,000 has been set to be in November and December to help with church utilities, soup kitchen and financial assistance for others. And a partnership has been formed with nearby People’s Place to help provide toys and other gifts for the Christmas season.

“We’ll be able to share gifts throughout all of Ulster County as well as we have our Angel Tree program, which is at Raymour & Flanigan, Sam’s Club and Walmart in Napanoch,” said Muhs. “And that is for toys for those kids in need. They can get a little extra this Christmas if you can pick one up and buy some toys. The kid’s name is on it, and it will go directly to that child who’s in need this time of year.”