CHRISTMAS TOYBOX APPLICATIONS WILL BE TAKEN STARTING MONDAY

Holiday decorations already are on display in most retail outlets around Southeast Missouri, and area charities are gearing up for holiday assistance to needy families.

Cape Girardeau always has been good at helping meet the needs of people in tough situations, said Maj. Robert Gauthier of the Salvation Army.

But Gauthier said the need has been greater this year than in past years. More people are coming to the Salvation Army for help whether for food, shelter or relief from summer heat, he said.

There are several programs in Cape Girardeau to help families in need during the holiday season. Toybox is a joint program of the Cape Girardeau Jaycees and the Southeast Missourian that delivers toys and games to children. Christmas for the Elderly is a joint effort of the Cape Girardeau County Health Department and the newspaper. It helps provide gifts and household items to elderly residents. Drop-off sites for Toybox and Christmas for the Elderly gifts will be announced later. Applications for Toybox are being accepted beginning Monday for children of ages 2 to 12. Toybox and Christmas basket applications are available from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. at the Salvation Army, 701 Good Hope St. "We've seen more people coming for food assistance," Gauthier said. And many of the travelers coming to Cape Girardeau have been homeless families who couldn't find work."That poses a problem for us and the other agencies," he said. "It's a real drain on resources and on the community. There is not a lot we can do in that regard."Many of the people came seeking a job but couldn't find work, so they sought help from the Salvation Army. Twenty years ago only single men were seeking jobs or help, not entire families, Gauthier said. Applicants seeking help through Toybox or with food at Christmas must bring proof of residency like a bill stub, a Social Security number for every person in the household and picture identification for the person filling out paperwork.

More than 1,000 people received Christmas baskets last year. The baskets included canned goods, a turkey and enough food for a meal. The Salvation Army serves Southeast Missouri to the Arkansas border and Alexander and Pulaski counties in Southern Illinois.

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