LYNN — The Manning Field parking lot has enough cars to make you think you’re late for the Classical-English Thanksgiving game. Only they’re not in parking spaces. They snake around the rows of spaces in much the same manner as the line at the bank might on busy afternoons.
These cars are there for the Salvation Army food drive, though. And the demand during the coronavirus pandemic has outgrown the ability of the 1 Franklin St. headquarters to accommodate it. Thus, two months ago, the Salvation Army moved the drive from in front of its entrance to the stadium.
Without even coming up for air, the food drive will segue into the Item Santa drive, which will begin its 54th year the day after Thanksgiving. Item Santa’s mission is to provide all needy families with a measure of happiness as we head into the holiday season.
Monday, Santa himself showed up at the parking lot, bringing candy canes and all-around good cheer to those picking up food from the Salvation Army. It was a light-hearted affair, with children handing him letters as they went by in their parents’ cars. Capt. Kevin Johnson himself got into the spirit by bringing Santa a box of Hostess Ho Hos.
The levity, however, belied the overall severity of what some of the Salvation Army clients are experiencing, said Salvation Army employee Emily Mercado, who has been working with the Item Santa fund for four years.
“There are a lot more people in need — a lot more people — as the result of this pandemic,” said Mercado as she worked on the makeshift assembly line on the driveway that links Manning and Fraser Fields. “It has its rewards, especially when you see the smiles on the faces of people in the cars.”
The biggest obstacle, she says, is embarrassment.
“They come in here, and they’re embarrassed to be in this position,” Mercado said. “There’s no need to be embarrassed.
“I used to be one of the people in the cars,” she said, “and I’ve seen people in the food lines who used to be helping me. It’s hard on them. They are embarrassed. But there’s definitely a lot more need.”
Friday, Nov. 27, The Item will launch this year’s drive. Last year, the paper, with the help of the Salvation Army as well as other local philanthropists, came just short of $100,000 in pledges. This year the need is greater due to higher, COVID-induced unemployment.
Look for the coupon that explains how to contribute to the drive in Wednesday’s Item.
