The Salvation Army is now taking applications for parents who need help getting Christmas gifts for their children.

The Salvation Army collects toys for area children through the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots program.

But in order to make sure they are given to the children who need them most, families must apply for consideration to benefit from Toys for Tots, said Gloria Harrell, director of the Salvation Army service center in Bainbridge.

The Salvation Army will accept applications for Toys for Tots this Thursday and Friday, and Tuesday Oct. 30, and Wednesday, Oct. 31.

Applications will be taken in person at the service center’s location at 600 Scott Street, next to the Grocery Outlet, from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Parents or guardians must bring the following information when they come to apply: a state picture ID belonging to the parent/guardian, a copy of the birth certificate for each child, a current food stamps summary in the parents’ name, a current light bill, a current rent receipt and any Social Security Income summaries. If applicable, parents should also bring child support income summaries in their name.

Anyone in the community who wants to begin shopping for toys to be donated to Toys for Tots should keep in mind the following: toys meant for donation should be new and unwrapped, with a suggested value of $10. The toys can be dropped off at the Salvation Army service center or deliver them to the Junior ROTC room at Bainbridge High School.

All of the toys will be delivered to deserving children in Decatur, Miller and Seminole counties who are identified by the Salvation Army.