With the down turn in the economy comes more need for support of  local food banks and charities, and The Salvation Army is no different. In 2010  The Salvation Army provided Christmas presents, food and clothing for 1,000 families in the Bend area. In 2011 the need has nearly doubled, with 1,800 families requesting assistance from the Salvation Army this year! 

Anything and everything helps, even if its one can of food or a small toy, that donation will go a long ways
to  providing a good dinner on Christmas and a smile on a child’s face Christmas morning.

Bend Fire Department’s Santa Express food and clothing drive is heading into Bend Neighborhoods Monday
  December 3rd through Thursday December 6th. The Bend Firefighter’s Association and Bend Fire and Rescue are working with The Salvation Army to collect non-perishable food items, clothing, and toys for needy families in Bend and Central Oregon. Neighborhood residents are encouraged to listen for the fire engine and Santa, and bring
  donations to the street for collection. There will be many volunteers walking along with Santa the fire engines to collect the donated items. Please advise children to use caution around the moving fire engines.

The Santa Express schedule is as follows:(maps are available on the www.bendoregon.gov)
Monday December 3: Morning  Star, Canal View, Wishing well and Phoenix Park
Tuesday December 4: Larkspur, Foxborough and Sun  Meadow
Wednesday December 5:  Providence, areas north and south of Neff Road.
Thursday December 6: NW Crossing, Skyliner  Summit

If we don’t come through your  neighborhoodyou can always drop off non-perishable foods, new toys or  clothing starting Monday 11/26/12 to these locations:
·        Bend Fire Department fire  station or either (www.bendoregon.govfor maps) – boxes will be there until Friday  12/14/12
·        Bend Memorial Clinics – Westside on Mt. Bachelor Dr and Eastside on Neff Rd
·        Ed Wyse Beauty Supply – 1180  S Hwy 97 #B
·        Goulart Chiropractic – 424 NE Franklin Ave
·        Pappy’s Pizza – 20265 Fred  Meyer Rd.
·        Red Robin – 625 SW Powerhouse Dr
·        The Salvation Army – 755 NE  2nd Street, Bend.
·        Starbucks – Toys only (Westside on Century Dr.,  Downtown, Fred Meyer, Cascade Village Shopping Center and East side on 27th St) 
·        Wholesale Sports – 63492 Hunnel Rd

Thanks ahead of time from Bend Firefighters Association, Bend Fire  and Rescue, and The  Salvation Army for helping needy families this holiday  season. If you need help from this holiday season with food or presents, please  call The Salvation Army at 389-8888.