From staff reports

Wal-Mart’s large donation to Farmland fire relief efforts will be a boost to the Salvation Army, but with so many families in need, it may not last long.

Monday, July 16, 2001

Wal-Mart’s large donation to Farmland fire relief efforts will be a boost to the Salvation Army, but with so many families in need, it may not last long.

&uot;It’s going to be tremendous,&uot; Captain Jamie Pennington of the Albert Lea Salvation Army said of the gift. However, &uot;We’ve had quite a few calls for service already, and I don’t know how long it will last.&uot;

The Wal-Mart Foundation announced Friday it will donate $10,000 plus two 52-foot truckloads of food and household goods to the Salvation Army in Albert Lea. The items will be distributed at the Salvation Army food pantry located at 402 S. Washington in Albert Lea.

Pennington said the Salvation Army is grateful, but that the gift will only go so far. &uot;For a disaster of this magnitude, we’re going to need that and more,&uot; Pennington said.

About 25 Farmland families visited the Salvation Army in the last two days, and many more have called, Pennington said. &uot;When tragedy strikes, the Salvation Army is often the first place people turn,&uot; Pennington said.

Pennington said all Farmland workers are eligible to receive food from the pantry on a weekly basis until they receive their first unemployment check, and then on a bi-weekly basis until they resume work.

In addition to the food and household items, the $10,000 donation will be distributed to dislocated workers in the form of rental assistance, utility assistance, help with prescription drugs and other needs, Pennington said..

Pennington said despite the Wal-Mart gift, the organization still needs donations – food, goods and money.

When the trucks arrive today, Crossroads Trailer Sales and Services in Albert Lea will donate the use of their dock to unload the Wal-Mart trailers. They will then be repackaged into trailers provided by Crossroads and Hi Yield Products and parked at the pantry for distribution.

Pantry hours are Monday through Friday from 9:30-11:30 a.m. and 1:30-4:30 p.m.