MUNSTER

Salvation Army needs food to feed the hungry

The Salvation Army's food pantry cupboards are bare and in need of replenishment, according to coordinator Bill Fanelli.

The public is requested to give donations of dry goods, canned goods and funds to help buy meat. The office has freezer capacity for all types of food, he said.

Contributions can be delivered to the Munster-Hammond office, 8225 Columbia Ave. from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, Fanelli said.

For other delivery hours, people can call (219) 838-1328, ext. 205, to make arrangements, he said.

"We are nearly out," Fanelli said. "We have so many needy people, we don't know which way to go."

The Salvation Army serves from 50 to 100 people a week, he said.

HIGHLAND

First Christian Church pastor is new chaplain

The Town Council has sworn into office Highland's newest police chaplain.

The Rev. Jason Jones, pastor of the First Christian Church, was sworn in by Clerk-Treasurer Michael Griffin and given a badge by Police Chief Peter Hojnicki.

The council's vote was unanimous after a recommendation by the Police Commission.

"I'm happy to serve in this way," Jones said.

HAMMOND

Texas hold 'em tourney Saturday for charities

The Maywood Civic Club sponsors a Texas hold 'em tournament starting at 6 p.m. Saturday at 921 165th St.

The cost is $30 and tickets need to be bought in advance; call (219) 853-0190. Proceeds will be used to support local hospice and soup kitchen efforts in Hammond.

HIGHLAND

Park cleanup planned for Saturday, cookout after

Highland's annual Park Pride Day is from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Residents are invited to participate in a spring cleanup of all the town's parks. Afterward, a cookout will take place at the Lincoln Center.

For more information, call (219) 838-0114 for more information.

HAMMOND

Electronic waste now accepted for recycling

In celebration of Earth Day, the Hammond Recycling Department is now collecting residents' electronics for recycling.

The following items will be accepted: computers, televisions, stereos, VCRs, DVD players, telephones, laptops, cell phones, zip drives, microwaves, hard drives, calculators, electronic games, scanners, copiers, fax machines, electric typewriters, printers and adding machines.

Hours for the drop-off center, located at 625 Conkey St., are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday except for holidays.

According to department Director Kathy Kazmierczak, about 2 million tons of electronics were discarded in 2005, some 80 percent to 85 percent primarily in landfills.

Additional information about the program is available by calling (219) 853-6622.

HAMMOND

Tickets for dinner cruise on sale, event July 15

Tickets are on sale for the kickoff event of the 5th annual Festival of the Lakes.

The Odyssey, a luxury dinner cruise vessel originally from Navy Pier in Chicago, travels to the Hammond Marina July 15 for the dinner cruise.

Guests will board beginning at 6:30 p.m. The ship leaves at 7 p.m. to cruise the Lake Michigan shoreline, with a return at 11 p.m. Tickets are $90 each and include butlered appetizers, a sit-down dinner, dessert buffet, beer, wine, juice, soda and three decks of live entertainment. A cash bar is also available. Tickets are available online at http://www.festivalofthelakes.com or the Hammond Civic Center box office from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

HAMMOND

Prayer breakfast set May 1 at Dynasty Banquet Hall

Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. and the Hammond spiritual community present the annual prayer breakfast May 1 in celebration of National Prayer Day.

It's from 8 to 10 a.m. at Dynasty Banquet Hall, 4141 Calumet Ave., Hammond. A $10 donation is asked.

For tickets or more information, call Aisha Chism at (219) 8563-6371 or visit http://www.gohammond.com.

For more information, call (219) 853-6378.