Donate food, toys to help Petalumans in need

More families and seniors than ever are in need of assistance this holiday season. Help make the season bright by making a donation to Christmas Cheer and/or the Petaluma Salvation Army.

Donate to Christmas Cheer

Petaluma’s Christmas Cheer program is accepting donations of canned food, frozen turkeys or chicken and new toys.

The donation site is located at the First Presbyterian Church of Petaluma at 939 B St.

Christmas Cheer is an all-volunteer effort that has been providing toys and food boxes to needy Petaluma families and seniors since 1957.

Salvation Army food drive

The Petaluma Salvation Army is experiencing an increase in the number of families and low-income senior citizens who need food for Christmas.

The Petaluma SA is hoping to meet that need for 150 families and seniors. Here are the items needed: turkeys or hams, packages of stuffing, packages of marshmallows, boxes of instant potatoes, boxes of Jello, packages of cookie mix, cans of green beans, corn, black olives, cranberry sauce and yams.

The deadline is Dec. 20. Donations may be made between 9 a.m. and noon Monday through Friday at the office, 721 S. McDowell Blvd. Monetary donations will also be accepted.

Volunteers are also needed to help assemble food boxes for distribution.

For details, contact Captain Rachel Johnson at 769-0716, ext. 102.