SALVATION ARMY HOPES TO MAKE GOAL

With only one day is left in the Salvation Army Tree of Lights fundraising campaign, and Captain Robert Gauthier said the organization is still $30,000 short of its $150,000 goal.

Funds collected through mailings and the annual kettle drive will not only be used to help with food and toys at Christmas, Gauthier said, but throughout the year.

Sunday marked the beginning of the Salvation Army's annual food basket distribution. More than 1,000 people from Alexander, Bollinger, Cape Girardeau and Scott counties signed up to receive food baskets from the organization between mid-November and early December.

Each basket included canned goods, a turkey, and a $5 gift certificate good in several area supermarkets for bread, milk, butter and cheese, said Stephanie Drummond, community center director. The food was donated from canned food drives in the area.

Individuals who have signed up may pick up their basket at the Salvation Army, 701 Good Hope.