Woodbridge Salvation Army needs food donations this summer

The Salvation Army in Woodbridge needs a little help from the community.

According to Captain George Hackbarth, who runs the location on Old Bridge Road, there is a great need for food items and assistance for residents in need during the summer months.

The Salvation Army has a food pantry that is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., but these days their shelves are pretty bare.

While some think that the winter months or holiday time are when residents are most in need, Hackbarth stated that is not always the case.

“What happens in the summertime, is a lot of times the kids aren’t at school, so they don’t get lunch or breakfast, so there’s a greater need for people that need food during the summer months,” said Hackbarth.

The food pantry currently has a shortage of several canned goods and other food items.

“[We need] canned goods, dry goods or meats and vegetables. We have a freezer for the meat and we like to give out fresh vegetables when we can…anything that people would like to donate [would help],” Hackbarth commented.

But food donations are not the only way that the community can provide assistance to residents this summer.

“We always need help with utilities and rent. In the summer time, when people start turning on the air conditioning, they usually need assistance. We help people Monday through Friday, but when our funding is gone, we’re not able to help people. The funding for each month is usually gone in a week,” Hackbarth said.

Individuals that want to drop off donations can do so at their location on 1483 Old Bridge Road, Suite 102. Hackbarth stated that all donors can receive a tax-deductible receipt.