For years, Richard B. and Betty Lou Anderson have been on the giving end.

Volunteering and donating money and food to the Salvation Army, the Andersons were able to make ends meet plus do a little more.

But in January, that changed.

After 17 years at Enderes Tools in Albert Lea assembling screw drivers, Richard, 61, got laid off.

All the sudden, their lives were turned upside down.

“I was mad about it,” Betty said. “He had worked there all of those years, and they kicked him out the door.”

Having to pay a more than $400 mortgage payment on their own home on Stanley Avenue, plus a more than $300 mortgage payment on their son’s home — which they got for him after he got into a bad accident in 1994 — the couple soon had to tap into their savings and retirement funds to be able to live.

Not to mention they had their other bills including utilities, insurance and groceries they needed to pay.

The couple explained that though Richard was able to draw some unemployment funds, Betty, 58, has been unable to get a job because she is disabled with a rough case of rheumatoid arthritis.

At the end of February or the beginning of March, the Andersons turned to the Salvation Army for help.

“(The Salvation Army) said, ‘How long have you been giving to us?’” Betty said. “‘Isn’t it our turn now to give back to you?’”

Thanks to an unemployment grant the Salvation Army received to help people just like the Andersons, the couple has been able to be a part of a program where they can meet with others who’ve been through their same situation.

The Salvation Army also helped them with a house payment through that same fund and they’ve helped provide food for the family every week.

“It was hard for us to accept some of this stuff because we always gave to the Salvation Army,” Betty said.

When they’d go in for their appointments, the Salvation Army would also help the couple learn more about other organizations that could help them, too, including Semcac, for example.

The couple said the Salvation Army employees try to make them feel comfortable and honestly try to make them feel better about themselves.

“They were there to help us in the time when we really needed it,” Richard said.

The organization told them about meals they offer on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and when other churches and organizations provide meals on other days.

Though it’s almost a year later and Richard still has not been able to find a permanent full-time job, he said he has more hope for the future than he used to.

Their spirits have been lifted as they were depressed in the time after the layoff.

To meet the influx of basic needs and rising unemployment, the Albert Lea Salvation Army is fundraising this season for a larger-than-ever Christmas goal of $172,000.

This is about $40,000 higher than last year’s goal of $134,000.

Volunteers are out ringing bells at various locations around town to raise the money, and people can also send donations to 302 Court St., Albert Lea.

There are still gaps in the bell ringing schedule if people would like to volunteer to ring bells. To set up a time, call 373-5710.

“A lot of people are scared to go,” Betty said, referring to the Salvation Army. “They don’t want to go and talk about their problems, but I would tell them don’t be afraid like we were. Go ask for help. There’s answers for you, if you just go get the help. They really showed us the way.”

She said she prays every day, thanking God for the things she has.

Richard has been able to find about 18 hours a week of employment at Riverland Community College, and she is getting paid for watching her own mother for three hours a day.

In January, Richard will turn 62, and he said he is going to try to retire early while keeping his part-time work.

He has also applied for veteran’s benefits, which he had never done before.

“You just have to learn you don’t have to have everything,” he said. “You have to learn to give up certain things you can’t afford, and somehow a person can make it.”

The couple said watching the Salvation Army help others has inspired them to want to help others, too.

“Just because we’re having a hard time doesn’t mean you can’t help too,” Betty said.

The Andersons volunteered as bell ringers at Northbridge Mall’s center court on Friday. They encouraged others to donate their time to do likewise.

All money raised goes toward the organizations annual Red Kettle Christmas campaign.

The couple also encouraged people to donate food.

They also thanked their family and friends for the support and help they have given them.

The Andersons are just one family affected by the local Salvation Army.

In addition to the services talked about in this story, the organization also provides after-school and summer day-care programs for families, temporary shelter, rental and fuel assistance and budget counseling to help families achieve economic independence, to name a few of the services.

The Salvation Army is at 302 Court St., Albert Lea. It can be reached at 373-5710.