Kiwanis and Salvation Army Distribute Thanksgiving Baskets

"It says a lot to me about love and the people of Middletown," Pat Britton said in a muted Southern drawl, as she accepted a turkey and basket at the Salvation Army Monday morning. "I just lot my husband. He was an MP in the service."

Members of the the local Kiwanis, assembled and delivered turkeys and food baskets to the Salvation Army on Main Street Monday morning where 33 families gathered to accept the holiday food.

Kiwanis members, and other individuals and organizations delivered the baskets and they were distributed immediately to families who had signed up.

Mike Dipiro and Christopher Conley of the accounting firm Gilmartin, Dipiro and Sokowloski carried in a large basket from their offices a few doors away from Salvation Army headquarters, and immediately helped a woman who said that she'd be feeding a family of six on Thanksgiving day.

It's a busy season for the Salvation Army, according to Salvation Army Rick Starkey who manages the bell-ringer holiday collections outside of area grocery and department stores, and is gearing up for the annual holiday toy drive for families in need.