Southern-style camp stew will be served hot from the pot on Thursday at the Pike County Salvation Army Service Center at 509 South Brundidge Street. However, it won’t be just any Southern-style camp stew.

“It will be made from Carter Sanders’ famous recipe and Carter will be here stirring the pot,” said Kim May, local Salvation Army director. “The camp stew is $10 a quart and pickup will be from noon until 6 p.m. You can call the service center at  (334) 808-1069 to reserve an order or just stop by and pick it up. We are making a lot of camp stew and hope to sell it all.”

May said the Salvation Army camp stew sale is an annual fundraiser and supports the various programs offered through the local Salvation Army.

“The Salvation Army is neighbors helping neighbors,” May said. “Throughout the year, we assist our neighbors with a variety of emergency and temporary needs. Recently, here in Pike County, we have provided assistance to several evacuees from Hurricane Michael. We just never know what the needs will be. But whatever the needs are, the Salvation Army is available and ready to help.”

May said the Salvation currently has 82 units in the Gulf area distributing food to those who lives have been adversely affected by Hurricane Michael.

Local residents who would like to provide monetary assistance to the hurricane victims in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina through the Salvation Army may do so by sending a check to The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 592, Troy, AL 36081.

May said, with the winter season just ahead, there will be an increase in the number of assistance requests made at the Pike County Salvation Army Service Center.

“Many people, especially the elderly, who are living on fixed incomes, often have to decide whether to pay their utility bills or have their prescriptions filled or refilled,” May said.  “The colder the weather, the more assistance requests we have.”

And the greater the need, the more funds that are needed.

“Our Red Kettle campaign is our big fundraiser and it will kick off in late November,” May said. “Bell ringers are always needed. So, we ask churches, clubs, organizations, neighborhoods and individuals to be bell ringers in 2018. The more bell ringers, the more money we raise to help our neighbors in need. Those who ring the bells say they receive a special blessing. I know I do.”

To sign up as a Salvation Army bell ringer, call May at (334) 808-1069