The Salvation Army of Michigan City is once again partnering with Al’s Supermarkets, WEFM 95.9, and Williams Dedicated to host the annual Stuff-A-Sleigh Food Drive.

This food drive benefits The Salvation Army food pantry to fill empty shelves during a busy holiday season.

“We’ve been serving more than 500 local families every month through our different programs, and we’ve seen a 20 percent increase in the need for food assistance this year over last year,” said Major Dale Simmons, who oversees The Salvation Army of Michigan City with his wife, Major Becky Simmons. “We haven’t seen these kinds of numbers since the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The Stuff-A-Sleigh Food Drive will be held at both Al’s Supermarkets locations in Michigan City on Saturday, December 2 from 9am to 2pm. Customers are invited to purchase pre-packed bags of food for $7 per bag to donate to the food pantry. Each bag contains pantry staples: pasta and sauce, vegetables, canned tuna fish, beans, soup, and macaroni and cheese. Monetary donations can also be made at the register.

Williams Dedicated, a local trucking company, will have their “sleigh” (otherwise known as a semi-truck) on-site at both Al’s locations to haul the donations from the stores to the food pantry. WEFM 95.9 will do a live broadcast from Al’s Supermarket at Karwick Plaza from noon until 2pm.

“We truly appreciate the team at Williams. They volunteer to take on this event every year - sending volunteers to help pack the bags, load them, and unload them into our pantry,” Major Simmons said. “This food drive helps refill our pantry shelves at a time when we need it most - as we head into the busy holiday season.”

The Salvation Army of Michigan City expects to serve more than 600 local families with food and toys for Christmas this year. Additional services include a diaper bank, utility assistance, free summer camp, group grief support, a free clothing room, and case management.

Anyone looking to volunteer at this event, or future events, can contact The Salvation Army of Michigan City at (219) 874-6885 ext. 1003. Those looking to ring a bell for The Salvation Army this holiday season can sign up online at www.RegisterToRing.com.

More information about The Salvation Army is available by visiting www.samichigancity.org.