SEBASTIAN — For the next few weeks volunteers will be stationed at dozens of locations throughout Indian River County ringing their bells seeking donations for the Salvation Army. On Saturday, those ringing the bells outside the Sebastian Wal-Mart will be collecting donations to help alleviate hunger in northern Indian River County.
Sebastian City Councilwoman Andrea Coy said she and her fellow volunteers will be collecting donations for the Salvation Army – just as all other bell ringers will be doing – but with a twist. The Salvation Army will earmark all the day’s donations at the Wal-Mart on US 1 in north Sebastian to benefit the North County Hunger Relief Coalition.
The coalition is a group of non-profit organizations working with the Salvation Army to feed the needy and the homeless in the northern part of the county.
“I want big checks,” Coy said for Saturday’s bell ringing. Her goal is $3,000 – which will keep the coalition serving 160 meals once weekly for three months.
The North County Hunger Relief Coalition, which consists of various church and community groups, has been cooking up meals in the kitchen at St. Sebastian Catholic Church since April and delivering meals to seniors in Grace Landing and By The River as well as to the known homeless camps in the woods around town.
“We’re just trying to make it work,” Coy said, explaining that the funds they’ve been raising go to the Salvation Army, which buys the food the coalition then cooks and delivers.
Coy is known in the area for being a strong supporter of keeping locally donated dollars in the community, which is why she asked the Salvation Army commander if the donations she and her group generate at the Wal-Mart be allocated to the coalition’s mission.
“Every penny that goes into the kettle (on Saturday)” stays in Sebastian, Coy said.
Volunteers will be ringing their bells at both entrances to the Wal-Mart from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Those wishing to make a donation are encouraged to write checks payable to The Salvation Army.
For those seeking more information about getting involved with the North County Hunger Relief Coalition, contact Coy by calling (772) 388-0961.