The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-09
.SALV NATION ARMY ID FEED THE POOR Arrangements Made for Big
 Christmas Dinner TO FEED ONE THOUSAND Adiutant Harrison Sends Letter of Ap- peal to Business Men of Birming-
 ham for Help in the
 Work.
TO FEED ONE THOUSAND

 give to thousand of the most poverty stricken the best of Christmas dinner, to make two hundred little children happy on New Years Day with toys, candy and more substantial presents, Ill fact to aid in every way possible is what the Salvation Army has set itself to do.
 Moreover it is a big task, and there is no time to be lost. The local force has been busily engaged for the past two weeks making extensive preparations. The local headquarters, at 2109 Second avenue, reminds one of bee hive i'll the spring time. Every thing is hurry and hustle.
 Although the army has been doing great deal of relief work during the whole year, 1t will increase with the coming of cold weather, now near at hand, when the wants of the poor multiplies when hunger is harder to bear, when sickness comes oftener, when there must be warm clothes, and when the fuel is another thing to be added to the necessaries of life
 This winter the army is planning to do more along the relief line than ever be- fore. There has been so many applica- tions for help already that AdJutant Har- rison, who has charge here, can hardly find time to investigate each case, as army regulations call for.
 At the army headquarters on Second avenue plans are being completed, and each worker is being assigned to his or her duty There are no drones in the army, every one must work, or get out The members of the local corps nave their different occupations in the city, where they work all day, then come out to lend helping hand at night.
 With the officers it is different. They have given up all and enlisted for life in this warfare. Therefore they devote all of their time to helping the helpless and preaching the gospel.
 Methods of Collecting.
 The army requires a systematic way of collecting for Christmas dinners and lief work. The collecting Is divided into four heads.
 CD By letter to business men. This has been found to be very successful way of collecting, and many have responded.
 @ By drop letter from door to door, In this way the ladies are given an op- portunity of helping the good work. (3) By collecting lists. These lists are made out and signed by the officer in charge. In this fay the collectors" are enabled to reach the business men and explain the work to them
 4) By pots on the street corners. This last named method is not the least by any means. People on their way to and from work, ladies coming down town to do their shopping, children coming to look at the wonderful displays of toys in the show windows, all are attracted by the tinkle of the small bell and the uni- formed lassie, and many pause long enough to drop something in the pot to help give others a merry Christmas, some of whom scarcely know what the act inn plies.
 Today" said a Salvation Army man yesterday, "the tinkle of small bells were heard on three separate corners, for the first time this year.
 "The success of this method depends very much upon the weather On pretty, warm day the people forget the
 
 it is raining or the wind is blowing, or it is showing the money comes much faster. The little suffering the people have to bear as they walk along the street seems to make them think of the greater suffering that the poverty stricken have to endure. That, perhaps is the reason why the pots in the south do not bring In as much as they do in the north, though as a rule the southern people are just as generous, and always do their part.
 Christmas Dinner.
 The Christmas dinner is ever the most enjoyable feature of the armys work to the poor people. On Christmas Day one thousand poor of the city will gather at the army hall to partake Of the spread which will be given there. In addition there will be baskets given out to needy people who are unable to attend the spread in the hall Of that thousand there will be many who have not had enough to eat in months. To many the delicacie5 will be something never before tasted. To others the good things will bring mem ories of better days. What a picture it will be when the hungry gather around the table to receive their portion. Of course there will be some there who are unWOrtnYt put the army VII NItdL all dlihs on that blessed day, in remembrance of Him who was born In the manager so many years ago. What joy there will be when the baskets are opened in the homes,
 "To feed the people the following pro- visions are needed: 200 pounds beef, 100 pounds mutton. 15 bushels potatoes, IS bushels sweet potatoes. 350 loaves of bread, 100 pounds crackers, 200 pounds small cakes, 100 pounds sugar, 45 pounds coffee, 50 gallons milk, 10 pounds tea, 40 pounds butter 60 pounds cheese, 300 pies. 300 pounds chicken 200 pounds pork, 150 pounds squash, 150 pounds turpips 150 pounds navy beans, 150 pounds cabbage. go quarts corn. 60 quarts tomatoes, 60 quarts cranberries, cases celery, 1 barrel pickles, 5 barrels apples. 1500 oranges, 1500 bananas, 50 pounds raisins. Also POO dolls, 200 garments. 300 pounds candy, 200 mixed toys, 900 pairs shoes, S00 pounds nuts. books, pictures, games etc.
 Strong Appeal.
 To raise the necessary funds for the Christmas dinner the following appeal has been issued, which is being mailed to the business men Of the city: Dear Friend: Undoubtedly the poor throughout this country have come to de- pend upon the Salvation army in their poverty and sorrow Not that We dis pense aid indiscriminately, but rather that our aid is prompt and effective owing to the fact that we have officers whose lives are spent among the poorer classes in our cities
 We are repeating our Christmas dinner relief thig year on inc following lines.