NATCHEZ &045;&045; Salvation Army volunteers distributed gifts for more than 250 children in need, and food vouchers for their families, Friday at the old Martin School gym.

Not as many people requested presents through the Angel Tree program as last year. But those who did receive gifts expressed gratitude for the presents, the food and the gift of service from volunteers who, in many cases, the recipients had never met.

&uot;I don’t have money for my children to have Christmas, so for someone I don’t know to help me out is wonderful,&uot; said one recipient who has two children.

Mayor F.L. &uot;Hank&uot; Smith even worked alongside volunteers for much of the gift distribution, which started at 9 a.m.

&uot;We appreciate all the support he gives us, and we appreciate the city letting use the gym,&uot; which the city owns, said Salvation Army Executive Director Jeanne Brunner.

But Brunner also pointed out the nonprofit needs the support of the community all the year long, not just during the Christmas season.

True, the Salvation Army has a higher profile during Christmastime.

Each year, fund-raising kettles are placed outside local stores and Angel Trees are set up inside. This year, trees were placed at Natchez Mall, Kmart, Copiah-Lincoln Community College and the Isle of Capri Casino.

But the community can still help the Salvation Army with its ministry in many ways throughout the year, Brunner said.

First, the nonprofit needs donations to its food pantry, &uot;which is something we continually use&uot; to help those in need, she said. &uot;We need help throughout the year.&uot;

The organization seeks financial donations to help provide assistance, from clothes to food, to fire and other disaster victims.

It also seeks clothes and other items for the Salvation Army Thrift Store, where items are refurbished and sold to help fund the organization’s programs.

And, like many nonprofits, the Salvation Army needs volunteers to man everything from the thrift shop to Angel Tree gift distribution.