At this time of year, requests are historically up at the Pike County Salvation Army Service Center in Troy. And, as history repeats itself, sales are also down.

“This is the trend and we really need to reverse it,” said Kim May, service center director. “When the temperature starts to rise so do the utility bills. It’s just June and already temperatures are in the mid-90s so it looks like we are going to have a long, hot summer.”

May said too often those who are living on fixed incomes and those who are struggling to make ends meet have to decide whether to purchase needed and necessary items such a food and medications or pay their utility bills.

“It can be a tough decision especially for the elderly,” she said. “They often have to leave off medication or turn off the air conditioner, doing either one can be risky.”

As residents are having to make these hard decisions, requests at the Salvation Army Service Center continue to rise.

“We depend on sales at the Salvation Army Thrift Store to help provide the revenue to fund the many requests that we get,” May said. “When sales are down, that makes it even more difficult to fund the requests that we have.”

The Salvation Army Thrift Store had a large selection of summer clothing for men, women and children and at very good prices.

“We are well stocked right now but we always need clothes and especially for children,” May said. “We’ll put our summer clothing on sale after the Fourth of July and we’ll offer it at an even greater savings. There will be plenty of hot weather after school starts in August so the Thrift Store will be a great place for back-to-school shopping.”

Donations of furniture and odds and ends items are needed and appreciated.

“We always gladly accept monetary donations,” May said. “What we want people to know is that any donations to the Pike County Salvation Army Service Center and Thrift Store and the sales from the Thrift Store go to help people right here at home. And there are a lot of people in Pike County who need assistance. To get assistance from the Salvation Army, applicants have to qualify. We are here to help people for the short term and in emergency-type situations. We don’t want to have to turn people in need away. We need the public’s support in helping us assist those in need.”

The Pike County Salvation Army Service Center and Thrift Store is located at 509 South Brundidge Street in Troy. For more information, call 334-808-1069.