SALVATION ARMY DISTRIBUTION DAY NEARS

THURSDAY IS A BIG DAY AT SIOUX CITY'S SALVATION ARMY ON VILLA AVENUE. CAPTAIN VON VANDIVER SAYS TOYS AND FOOD BASKETS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO OVER 550 FAMILIES BY VOLUNTEERS.

VOLUNTEERS FROM THE 185TH AIR NATIONAL GUARD REFUELING WING SPENT WEDNESDAY MORNING PREPARING THE FOOD BASKETS.

LT. COLONEL JERRY SELF OF THE 185TH SAYS THE GUARD IS HAPPY TO GIVE BACK TO THE SIOUXLAND COMMUNITY:

EACH BASKET CONTAINS A HAM OR A TURKEY ALONG WITH EVERYTHING NEEDED TO PROVIDE A FAMILY MEAL FOR CHRISTMAS.

PARENTS WILL ALSO SELECT TOYS FOR THEIR CHILDREN FROM A GIANT TOY SHOP CREATED FOR THE EVENT.

CAPTAIN VANDIVER SAYS 2011 HAS BEEN A CHALLENGING YEAR FOR SIOUXLAND, BECAUSE OF THE FLOOD AND A STRUGGLING ECONOMY.

VONDIVER SAYS DONATIONS ARE STILL WELCOME AND NEEDED THIS YEAR, ESPECIALLY WINTER CLOTHING AND FOOD.