The Salvation Army Ocean County Citadel Youth Programs

If.you needed help with Christmas or with whatever help you need thwy will help in a big way

I was down on my luck and was looking togo to the soup kitchen. Thursdays from 4:40 -7pm unfortunately, it was closed for a couple weeks for some repairs but they did hook me up with food. Also, a $25 gift card to shopright.which was awesome!! =) god bless you people (Open again January 9th)

This place does charity work around Christmas time by supplying gifts to families that are struggling in helping make a child's Christmas although they are not all that personable or people friendly. when me and my girlfriend went there for her appointment we were checked in by three different people who asked if we were together and not two separate people with two separate appointments we told them yes. And advanced to the line. when we got up to the front of the line another lady asked if we were together or separate appointments in which we said we were together this lady looked me up and down with what I thought to be a dirty look (I have tattoos on my face) and then just flat out said "um no sir you need to wait outside" I was confused by this and questioned what she meant at which point she said only she (my girlfriend) can select the gifts for the child at which point I politely said to her "you mean we can't pick together for our child?" At which point the lady just looked away and said "I said you need to wait outside." I felt completely disrespected but I wasn't going to make a scene so I just turned around and told my girl I'll be at the car and went outside. I was pretty upset by this being that I felt as if I was being stereotypically and prejudically judged by my appearance for having free will to have tattoos forever I want them as if I was going to steal donated gifts that a non-profit organization was kindly supplying to us anyway. I'm 33 years old now and probably a few years ago I would not have just turned around and not spoke my mind back. It's more I thought about it it was completely uncalled for and at least for whatever reason this lady had she could have been a little bit more personable about it especially being it is a holiday season. So I took to posting this review. And I just had to reminded myself I have to accept that everybody is entitled to their own opinion but weather I let myself validate it or not is up to me. If I could change one thing about it I think I would have guess I'll turn the eye and smiled until they're Merry Christmas and went on to wait at the car instead of letting another Grinch rent space in my head. People will be rude and say offensive things but if we give a reaction or not is what matters.

The Salvation Army offers many services to the community. Each Christmas they have a toy shop for parents to receive a few gifts, clothing, stocking stuffers, and items for their children. Applications for the toy shop are accepted starting early November. Anyone interested in volunteering for the toy shop, making a donation, or adopting a family can call and speak with Nancy. In addition to the yearly toy shop, there are services that are provided 12 months out of the year. There are church services on Sundays, hearty helpings dinners on Thursdays, emergency food assistance, and regular food bank hours. They also have information available about other services that may be helpful to families. Anyone interested in volunteering may fill out an application, and you will be notified after your application has been reviewed and gone through the screening process. Staff and volunteers at the route 37 Citadel, are friendly and non-judgemental.

Another place that's been very helpful considerate and understanding they helped me with my Thanksgiving basket and if you need clothing or anyting you go ask them that's what these people are there for for Helping Hands Salvation Army is highly recommended it's on Route 37 in Toms River