Salvation Army’s 'Christmas in July' Fundraiser

The Salvation Army’s Punxsutawney corps is using July to run a holiday-style fundraiser in the middle of summer, with bell ringing, volunteer recruitment and pantry collection tied to local aid programs. The local post has promoted drive-through donation drop-offs for July 14 and July 21 at its building on West Mahoning Street, while its official site says the corps’ greatest need right now is volunteers. The Punxsutawney corps serves Jefferson County and surrounding areas, according to The Salvation Army’s local page. Lieutenant Lisa Scalzitti is listed as the local leader, and the corps describes itself as providing ministry and care opportunities for people of all ages. The campaign follows a model The Salvation Army uses in other communities under the “Christmas in July” name, bringing its Red Kettle branding into summer to raise money and supplies for year-round needs. (findglocal.com) National and local Salvation Army pages in other regions describe the summer drives as support for food, shelter, utility help and other assistance outside the winter holiday season. (easternusa.salvationarmy.org) ### What is the Punxsutawney corps asking people to give? A June 24 community update from The Salvation Army Punxsutawney said the corps will host a drive-through donation drop-off to restock its Food & Hygiene Pantry and “better serve families in our community.” The collection is scheduled for July 14 and July 21, with donation windows from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the back parking lot. (give.salvationarmy.org) The June 24 post listed pantry items including soups, canned fruit, tuna or chicken, vegetables, pasta and sauce, boxed side dishes, macaroni and cheese, instant mashed potatoes, cereal, oatmeal, pancake mix, peanut butter and jelly. The same notice said donors can stay in their vehicles while volunteers collect the items. (findglocal.com) ### Where does the volunteer push fit in? The Salvation Army’s Punxsutawney webpage says, “The Greatest Need right now is volunteers.” The site does not specify a number of open slots, but it places volunteer help alongside the corps’ weekly worship and social-services schedule. The summer fundraiser mirrors how other Salvation Army units use “Christmas in July” campaigns to recruit bell ringers and donors before the year-end holiday season. (findglocal.com) In Petoskey, Michigan, for example, the organization said this week that bell ringers would staff locations from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. during a one-day July 10 campaign. (easternusa.salvationarmy.org) ### What services is the local corps already running? The Punxsutawney corps lists social-services hours on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, with shorter office hours on Thursday and the office closed Friday. The same June 24 update said Sheetz donations are available every Tuesday and Thursday beginning at 10 a.m., while Giant Eagle donations are distributed as they are received. (salvationarmyusa.org) The corps also said its “Giving Tables” are open during office hours when donated items are available. That setup points to a program that depends on a steady flow of goods rather than a single seasonal collection. ### Why run a Christmas-themed drive in July? The Salvation Army’s national fundraising pages say the organization uses “Christmas in July” campaigns because need continues beyond the winter holiday period. (findglocal.com) One national campaign page says the group is raising funds for “neighbors in need,” while another event page says “Need knows no season.” In Punxsutawney, the local evidence is the pantry list and the volunteer appeal. The corps’ June 24 notice focused on food and hygiene supplies, and its local website says volunteers are the top current need. ### What happens next in Punxsutawney? July 14 is the first confirmed drive-through drop-off date at 229 W. Mahoning Street, followed by a second collection on July 21. (give.salvationarmy.org) The Salvation Army said donations will be accepted from 10 a.m. to noon and again from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., with volunteers meeting drivers in the back parking lot. (findglocal.com)