There will be the same familiar faces ringing bells at Christmastime and heading up board meetings, but those seeking assistance with their utility bills in Callaway will have one less stop to make.
SERVE, Inc. is now the new aid distribution center for the Salvation Army in Callaway County, taking over that aspect of the county's service unit responsibilities from First Christian Church in Fulton.
FCC pastor Ed Varnum said the decision was made for a number of reasons, but largely to provide energy assistance for those in need at one central location. Helping to pay utility bills was the central focus of Callaway County's Salvation Army operations, which is a service SERVE, Inc. has provided as well with their own sources of funding.
"The reasoning of it was the simple logistics of how to best serve the people," said Varnum. "People would go to SERVE, get a little bit of help towards utilities, come here and get a little more help out of a different fund.
"This way, SERVE is able to take care of it right there; it has a central location as a hub for service."