R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press Tables stocked by volunteers with gifts donated by members of the public were available to families in need as “Toy Shop” at the Salvation Army in Escanaba on Tuesday.

ESCANABA — The Salvation Army on Tuesday held “Toy Shop,” a program through which parents who pre-registered with the organization walk through with carts and select from tables, boxes and racks of toys, books and clothes, all of which have been organized by gender and age.

Explaining that families sign up for the program through all of November and part of December, Captain Doug Winters said, “It’s a need-based program, so we review and make sure that they’re in need.”

Usually, the hall at 3001 5th Ave S. in Escanaba becomes the site of Community Lunch four days a week, which is open to anyone who wishes to come to the church for a free meal between noon and 1 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Winters, who fills the role of pastor and administrator for Salvation Army in Escanaba, said that they serve about 50 to 60 people for lunch each day.

Those who attend community lunch for the social aspect, however, will have to wait until Jan. 2 for the next one; this week, efforts are focusing on helping households prepare for Christmas. Lunch is to-go only this week, as the hall has been transformed into the Toy Shop. There is no community lunch the week of Christmas.

On Tuesday, tables covered in red tablecloths were stocked with toys separated in groupings by age for both boys and girls. Each neatly-labeled table was replenished with gifts as volunteers walked through alongside parents who shopped from the supply.

“As you can see, a boy (aged) 11 to 12 gets four toys off that,” said Winters, indicating a nearby table when showing the Press around on Tuesday. “So it’s separated by gender and age, and parents shop. So in addition to the gifts, there are stocking stuffers, there’s mittens, gloves, socks; there’s a game for kids. There’s a book for kids, stuffed animal per kid or Barbie. And then we also have clothes going,” he said, gesturing to racks of apparel on the other side of a wall.

“Some of these families have a full shopping cart of items for one or two kids, up to two carts. One lady came through with six kids and that was a two-carter.” Winters beamed, stating, “It’s a real exciting day for us here.”

Many of the gifts were donated through the “angel tree” at Walmart, which listed suggestions for which items might be appropriate for children of a particular age.

In addition to the toys and clothes, families flowing through the building walked out with Christmas baskets with provisions for a holiday meal.

“Rather than trying to hand out turkeys or hams, we give everyone a $25 certificate for Elmer’s so they can go purchase their own meal.

“As far as the Christmas effort in general, we’re a little behind in our Red Kettle effort. Our goal here in town was $70,000, and we’ll get close to that,” said Winters.

Since many people don’t carry cash, new this year is a cellular-based system from a company called TipTap that allows for donation by card or phone.

Collections gathered this time of year go towards year-round efforts at Salvation Army, whose outreach includes donating food monthly to households in need.

“The generosity in this community is just amazing,” Winters said. “I mean, just think of those little red buckets out there, and to end up with $70,000 from that — it’s a very generous community.”

People may sign up to take a shift at a red kettle at registertoring.com. The last day of bell-ringing is December 23.