NORTH CAROLINA — The Salvation Army offers assistance to families in local communities who are in need. But this year, the way they are identifying families has changed due to  COVID-19.

The program provides toys, clothes, and food to families for the holidays.

Instead of people filling out their Christmas Assistance Applications in person, everything is being done online.

This is the first time that the organization has offered online applications. However Janice Dahlin of the Rowan County Salvation Army says it's not an easy switch.

"Because of COVID, everyone thinks differently now and it's really strange because I used to have it under my belt. I've been doing this since I was seven and I'm 49," she says. "This year, it's like I'm a baby."

The deadline to apply for The Salvation Army's Christmas Assistance Program is Sunday.

Make sure to go online and fill out an application for your family if you're in need of a little extra help this holiday season.