In the tradition of movies like “A Christmas Carol” and “It’s a Wonderful Life,” two DeKalb service agencies are doing their part to help families that could use a helping hand around the holidays.

The Family Service Agency, 3131 Sycamore Road, and Salvation Army, 830 Grove St., have gifts and events every year and are always looking for volunteers.

“If anyone wants to volunteer, we could find them something to do,” said Peggy Carey, a social worker with the Salvation Army. Carey added the people who distribute food and other items to families could always use help.

“One of the greatest gifts a person can give to someone is an older brother or sister. We have about ten children who have been waiting a year and a half for a volunteer,” said Susan Peterson, director of Big Brothers/Big Sisters for FSA.

In addition to the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program, FSA works with Stevenson Towers North every year in sponsoring children for an annual Christmas party where each floor sponsors a child and throws them a Christmas party, Peterson said.

FSA works with the Founders Memorial Library workers, who help collect food, as well as banks and community groups who sponsor families every Christmas, Peterson said.

The Salvation Army gives assistance to any family under 150 percent of the poverty line by donating food, clothing, and toys, Carey said.

These “families are barely making it,” she said.

The Salvation Army also provides gifts to patients in nursing homes and to senior programs, Carey said.

People not only donate used items to the Salvation Army, but also purchase new items for kids, including food and clothing, she said.

In conjunction with the Salvation Army, Marchelloni’s, a local restaurant at 928 W. Lincoln Hwy., will deduct $2 off of anyone’s pizza who brings in canned goods.

Some of the donations the Salvation Army receives come from families who were once recipients of donations themselves, and are returning the favor, Carey said.

“It’s fun to receive, but it gives you something special to give to someone else,” she said.