It may seem too early to start thinking about holiday shopping, but if you're looking for some help this season, the Salvation Army wants to make sure your family gets what it needs.

The center began accepting applications for food and gift assistance on Monday, October 8.

Low-income families who meet the qualifications are eligible to apply for food, clothes and toys for Christmas.

However, toy applications are only accepted for children who are 14-years-old and under.

According to Salvation Army officials, you need to bring proof of income when you apply, provide picture ID's for all adults in the home, and a picture ID for all children in the household.

Picture ID's for children can be a birth certificate, Medicaid card, school ID, or a Social Security card, for example.

The need for food and gifts is always great, especially around the holidays. And while the Western Slope economy continues to lag, the Salvation Army is expecting another tall order this holiday season.

Captain Dan Wilson, commanding officer for the Salvation Army in Grand Junction, said in the past 5 years, they've helped provide Christmas gifts for 3,000 to 4,000 children each year.

"When people come in and apply, what we do ask, and since we're packing the individual boxes in advance to make the process smoother, we're asking the parents to be very specific in what their children are hoping for so we can match that up as good as possible," said Captain Wilson.

Wilson said it's also important for parents to list their children's clothing sizes when filling out an application.

To fill out an application, you need to go to the main Salvation Army facility located at 1235 N. 4th Street in Grand Junction.

Applications will be accepted:

Monday - Thursday : 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

For the weeks of:

Oct. 8th - Oct. 12th

Oct. 22nd - Oct. 26th

Nov. 5th - Nov. 9th

Nov. 12th - Nov. 16th

Nov. 26th - Nov. 30th

Dec. 3rd - Dec. 7th

Special evening hours:

Tuesday, Nov. 27th:  5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 4th: 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

If you're a business owner interested in helping the Salvation Army this holiday season, you can put a 'Giving Tree' in your facility to help collect toys for applicants.