COLUMBIA, S.C. — Each December, News 19 along with our partners across the Midlands collect new toys, non-perishable food items and cash donations to help those in need have a merrier Christmas.
Starting Tuesday, October 29, families in Richland, Lexington, Newberry, Fairfield and Kershaw counties can submit their applications for Stuff-A-Bus. Families can register at the Ruff building at the South Carolina Fairgrounds from October 29 to October 31.
Tuesday hours are 9 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday hours are 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. People applying for assistance will need to bring the following items:
- Picture ID for the head of the household.
- Identification cards for everyone residing in the household.
- The following IDs can be used: U.S. driver's license, Social Security card, State-issued non-driver ID card, U.S. passport, Employee ID card, School ID card, Health insurance card, Medicare, Matricula Consular ID card, U.S. military ID card and Birth Certificate.
- Proof of age for every child 12 years old or under. Only children 12 years and younger can receive Christmas gifts.
- If your household qualifies for Food Stamps (SNAP), bring your EBT card and a recent food purchase receipt using your card. With proof of Food Stamps (SNAP) benefits, the documents below are not necessary.
- Proof of all income in the home for the past 30 days (pay stubs, unemployment statement, SSI Disability, Social Security statement, VA or other pensions).
- Anyone 18 years or older and receiving no income must show proof of zero wage. (Zero wage statement from the unemployment office).
- Proof of all household expenses paid in the past 30 days (not bills that you owe, but bills that were paid.)
No children will be allowed in the fairground buildings during registration or distribution weeks.
For families in Sumter, Lee and Clarendon counties, their time to apply for holiday assistance was October 7 - 11.
Families in Orangeburg, Bamberg and Calhoun counties could register for assistance from October 14 - 18.
For more information about the Salvation Army and their Stuff-A-Bus campaign, click here.