LUMBERTON — Registration will be held on Monday at the Robeson County Department of Social Services for people wishing to benefit this year from the Empty Stocking Fund.
Applications will be taken from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the DSS building, which is on N.C. 711 just west of Interstate 95.
Children up to age 15 are eligible to benefit from the fund, which was established by The Robesonian in the late 1970s as a way to help needy children during Christmas. If a child received help this past year, he or she will not be eligible to apply this year. Each eligible child will receive a $50 voucher on a first-come, first-served basis until the fund is exhausted. The vouchers can be redeemed at Rose’s in Lumberton or Rose’s Express in Fairmont .
Individuals applying must bring a picture ID, Social Security numbers for all members of the household, and proof of household income.
The Robesonian, whose office at 2175 Roberts Ave. was flooded by Hurricane Florence and is being rehabilitated, will begin accepting in-person donations on Nov. 26. That will be done at its temporary office at 308 E. Fifth St. Ask for Amanda Revels or Tammy Oxendine.
However, it is not too soon to mail a check to the newspaper. All donations that are received in advance will be listed in the Nov. 27 newspaper.
To mail a donation, send to The Robesonian, c/o The Empty Stocking Fund, 2175 Roberts Ave., Lumberton, N.C., 28358. If the gift is in honor or memory of someone, provide that information and it will be included. The Robesonian will publish photographs that accompany donations of $500 or more if that request is made.
The fund benefited 1,557 children in 2017.