[Southsider2k12]

This is the kind of local touch that you don't get from the Wal-Mart's and Meijer's of the world.

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=46326.89

Al's hosts Stuff-a-Sleigh project

Deborah Sederberg
The News-Dispatch

MICHIGAN CITY - Santa's sleigh looked a bit like a grocery cart at Al's Supermarkets on Saturday, but, according to Wallace Hook, chairman of the board of The Salvation Army, that was as it should be.

The idea of the annual Stuff-a-Sleigh project at Al's is to shore up the food pantry not just for the holiday season, but for its usual mission of feeding 750 families a month.

"We got some nice donations," said Sylvia Hook, who, with her husband, Wallace, was working at the Karwick Plaza Al's. "In fact, they're running out of the pre-packaged bags," she said at about 2 p.m.

Al's employees packed bags of pasta sauce, thin spaghetti, spaghetti rings, tuna, chicken stuffing and two boxes of macaroni and cheese which shoppers could purchase for $5.

Some chose to shop for their own groceries to donate and others made contributions toward certificates for meat.

Wallace Hook is never surprised by the generosity of the community, but because so many people are in need this year, he said, "We just can't keep up."

Hook said anyone can feel free to donate to the food pantry at any time and cash donations are welcome as well.

"And we still need volunteer bell ringers," he added.

In addition, The Salvation Army needs volunteers to staff the Angel Tree in the Marquette Mall.

Also needed are volunteers to help set up food and toys for distribution to needy families on Saturday, Dec. 20 and for distribution on Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 22 and 23.

For more information, call The Salvation Army at 874-6885, or register online for all volunteer positions at www.ringbells.org.