Huron Salvation Army continues to provide

HURON — A local nonprofit continues to provide aid during the pandemic. The Huron Salvation Army, at 820 Cleveland Road East, provides financial assistance for rent and utilities; organizes yearly donations of school supplies and Christmas gifts for children; and more. The nonprofit shares its building with the Helping Hands food pantry to provide food to local residents. The Huron Salvation Army location was founded at least 20 years go by Tom Holzaepfel, a former pastor of Lighthouse Assemblies of God church in Huron. Roxanne Goss, a longtime volunteer, became the nonprofit's volunteer director in January. Since the pandemic started, more people have sought help. Goss estimates the Huron Salvation Army receives up to seven calls a week — many of those are people who live outside the Huron area. "With COVID-19, we've seen an increase in the needs of our community," she said. "It's been very beneficial that utility companies are working with people this year, but we expect that to change in the next month or so, and we're getting more people who need help with utilities." The Huron Salvation Army location and Helping Hands food pantry are open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays. To have more impact, both Huron organizations partner with Community Action in Sandusky and the St. Vincent DePaul program at St. Peter Catholic Church in Huron. "We've found that if we can partner with agencies, we can make our resources spread more and we've been able to maintain our ability to help people," Goss said. "I want to reach out to other charities in Huron so we can network and brainstorm on how we can improve meeting the needs of our community." During back-to-school season each year, area churches donate school supplies to be given out in backpacks to local students. Normally, 60-70 bookbags are taken by families. But this year, only 30 were handed out, since some students have opted into online learning with COVID-19. Supplies are still available to area students or teachers who need them, Goss said. Besides financial donations, area residents buy Christmas gifts for local children for the Angel Tree program. Parents then pick up the gifts a week before Christmas. Collectively, the Salvation Army provided presents and gift cards to more than 100 children last year. The Huron Salvation Army's largest fundraiser, the red kettle fundraiser from mid-November to mid-December, brings in up to $7,000 for the nonprofit each year. That's 50 percent of the Salvation Army's annual need to make it possible to care for residents. "All of the money people donate to us stays in Huron," Goss said. "Huron is an extremely generous city — it's what makes all the charities possible. We're so thankful." Need help? Anyone needing assistance with rent, utilities and food can call the Huron Salvation Army at 419-433-0500. More information can be found on the nonprofit's social network page. Those interested in making monetary or other donations or volunteering for the upcoming holiday season can also contact the nonprofit. The Huron Salvation Army also needs a volunteer treasurer "competent and confident in handling bookkeeping," Goss said. Reach reporter Caitlin Nearhood at nearhood@sanduskyregister.com and follow her on Twitter @CaitlinNearhood