This holiday season, amidst all of the flurry of gift shopping, be sure not to overlook Newton County’s oldest nonprofit store — The Salvation Army.

Located in a small building on Washington Street for the past 12 years, the Salvation Army has been operating in Newton County since 1966.

The Washington Street location is a thrift store that operates on donations from the community. The building also houses a social services office where families in emergency situations can receive aid in the payment of their utilities, rent or mortgages. There is also a food pantry that operates during weekdays.

Jody Carver, director of the Washington Street Salvation Army, said people shop there because "they don’t have enough income to shop at department stores or because they like to go to thrift stores."

New and gently-used clothing, furniture and household items can all be dropped off at the Washington Street location for donation.

The Salvation Army also runs several seasonal programs including a Christmas food basket program and a summer camp program for children ages 7-12 and for senior citizens.

"It’s all based on donations," said Carver of the Christian-based ministry which has ministered to the poor since its inception in 19th Century London. "Donations are going pretty well, but we can always use more. There are always people in need."

Carver reported that the Salvation Army was currently short on food and in need of canned meats, breakfast items, noodles, rice and peanut butter.

"We get a lot of requests for diapers and formula and we’re pretty low on those," she said, adding that they received many requests for diapers for toddlers.