FOLEY, Ala. — The Salvation Army’s “Angel Tree” coordinator for Foley and Baldwin County said this week that the annual seasonal program is off to a slow start, probably because of the fire that closed the Salvation Army Thrift Store in the spring.

“We’re getting a slow start on our registration and it’s probably due to the fact we’re not normally where we are,” Edith Belder-Eslava, manager of the Thrift Store, said.

Salvation Army officials have said the store at 2015 N. McKenzie St. will be re-opened — that it’s a priority matter with them — but for now Gulf Publishing at 300 N. Alston St. has stepped up and become the registration site for “Angel Tree,” a program that provides Christmas gifts for needy children in the area.

With the Thrift Store closed for months now, Belder-Eslava said the Salvation Army, a United Way agency, contacted Brenda Lee with the United Way of Baldwin County, and Lee put the word out about the need for a registration site.

“Gulf Publishing came forward to help and it was a blessing,” Belder-Eslava said.

“We hope all our ‘angels’ get sponsored, but we don’t know how many we will have.”

Once registration is complete, the “angels” will be on the “Angel Tree” in the Food Court at Tanger Outlet ready for “adoption” on Nov. 28, the day after Thanksgiving Day. Individuals will be on hand to help people “adopt” a boy or girl to buy gifts for this Christmas season, Belder-Eslava said.

The requirements for “Angel Tree” registration are posted on the window at the Thrift Store and at Gulf Publishing. Also, requirements can be heard by calling 251-943-3883 and listening to the entire message.