CLINTON — As December begins, people will see Salvation Army bell ringers and Toys for Tots boxes at stores. Programs to help people in need during this holiday season are well under way.

The Holiday Network is well underway with its Christmas program. People can still sign up at the Salvation Army to receive food, toys and socks and underwear for the holidays. The deadline is Dec. 9 and distribution days will be held on Dec. 16 and Dec. 17.

“We don’t want to miss anybody, so everybody’s encouraged to get down there and get signed in,” said Tammy Meyer, of RSVP.

During distribution day, families will receive a letter telling them what time to come to the store for their items. Parents can pick up wrapped toys, stocking stuffers, socks and underwear and a food basket, if they signed up for one.

People can drop donations, such as socks and underwear, at the RSVP office.

Meyer said she feels one of the better parts of the Holiday Network is the sense of community the program creates.

“It’s nice when all the community groups and churches and businesses can all come together and work for the kids. It just makes it so much better and just makes it nice when everyone works together,” said Meyer. She said the donations are coming in and she expects to get what they need.

“Clinton is such a wonderful community to work in. The people really are generous, helping the kids with either toys, gifts, socks and underwear and food. We really appreciate all their efforts,” said Meyer. “If one person in the community need help, we all need to jump in together and help. It’s just the way Clinton is.”

“The community’s been very, very, gracious about helping with things. People are at the back door donating all the time, which is great,” said Paula Mallory of the Associate Benevolent Society, 100 S. Second St.

The Benevolent Society will be celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2010. Over that time, the organization has worked to provide food, clothing, diapers and various other items to those in need. The agency receives assistance from United Way to meet clients’ needs. The Benevolent Society provides Thanksgiving and Easter baskets each year. Mallory said they recently distributed Thanksgiving food boxes to 511 families.

“It’s really a great place. I mean, to be in the community for 125 years and have the support of the community is wonderful,” said Mallory.

The Associate Benevolent Society is also involved with the Holiday Network. Mallory said the agency works to help with the socks and underwear program. Members from the society also help out on the two distribution days. Mallory said she feels it is really rewarding to see the smiles on people’s faces when they receive the items. She said everyone deserves to have a good Christmas.

Mallory said people’s donation are always welcome, but they are especially needed this year. She said this year they have seen a definite increase in the need for help.

“We’ve noticed a big increase in the number of families coming in needing help. And we’ve also noticed an increase in family sizes, where people are moving in with relatives because they can’t afford the bills,” said Mallory. She said the are seeing a lot of families of eight, nine or even 13, who are needing help.

“We’ve seen people we have never seen who need help before,” said Captain Shannon Thies of the Salvation Army. “People who’ve never needed to ask for help before have been coming to receive help from us.”

The Salvation Army works as a part of the Holiday Network, holding the distribution days and taking applications from people needing assistance. The organization also works on the Toys for Tots program. Thies said they have not seen near as many toys this year. She said more toy donations are definitely needed.

Besides their work for the Holiday Network, the Salvation Army has also began its bell-ringing campaign. Thies said this is the Salvation Army’s primary fundraiser to fund all of the organization’s programs throughout the year.

“We are counting on that money to help people, not just in December and during the Christmas season, but all year long,” said Thies.

Thies said they always are looking for more bell ringers. A majority of them are paid individuals. However, Thies said having people volunteer as bell ringers for free allow them to raise more money for their programs. Thies said the Salvation Army always appreciates people’s food and monetary donations and people’s prayers.

“It’s our privilege to be able to serve people who need assistance during this time and be able to meet some of their needs,” said Thies.