Lt. John Lawrence holds a can of green beans in the Wheeling Salvation Army food pantry. (File photo)

WHEELING — With the federal government shutdown exacerbating needs that already are crucial, the Salvation Army is asking the Ohio Valley to help assist in its mission to provide food and other assistance to those it helps.

The Salvation Army said that, some days, as many as four times the number of people as usual come through its doors looking for food assistance. Many of them have never asked for assistance before. Many are families with young children or those living on a fixed income.

“We are grateful to everyone who has already stepped up to assist,” Salvation Army Lt. John Lawrence said. “People like the Wheeling Rotary, Ohio County Sheriff’s Department, Wheeling Police Department, and the Moundsville Lions Club, who have and are standing up to help again this year by ringing the bell are just a short list of those who have and do regularly stand up and are counted amongst those who donate their time to help their neighbor. More is needed.”

There are several ways Ohio Valley residents can help.

– Monetary donations can be made either online or at the Salvation Army offices located at 140 16th St. in Wheeling or 248 Jefferson Ave. in Moundsville. Donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 6627 Wheeling, WV 26003.

– Food donations can be dropped off at both the Wheeling and Moundsville offices.

– Residents can visit registertoring.com and volunteer to ring bells this year. Two hours volunteering can help feed a family of four, the Salvation Army said, and eight hours volunteering to ring the bell can pay someone’s utility bill to keep their lights on or keep their family warm during those cold winter nights.

– Residents also can adopt an angel off the Salvation Army’s angel tree. Call 304-233-4400 to adopt an angel. The Salvation Army has had more than 600 angel requests this year and currently has more than 400 angels still needing to be adopted.

The Salvation Army already has paid $17,000 toward holiday food assistance and is awaiting those cards to be distributed. Those funds come from donations, grants, sales at Salvation Army thrift stores and the tithes and offerings from church members. Hundreds of coats already have been purchased for distribution through the Coats for Kids Program.