BELLWOOD — Military Families Ministry USA Inc. has launched its 15th annual Stockings for the Troops project to send stockings to deployed service members.

Many of the nation’s Armed Forces will spend this Christmas holiday serving abroad on deployment, with some experiencing their first holiday away from their homes and families.

This project reminds our heroes that they are not forgotten and that their service and their sacrifice are appreciated, said Tracie Ciambotti, president and director of MFMUSA.

The community is invited to take part in the project by donating items for the stockings.

Needed items include: individually wrapped Twizzlers, hard candy, chapstick, tooth brushes and small tubes of tooth paste, hot chocolate and oatmeal packets, ramen noodles, snack and food and bars, crackers, individually wrapped cookies, slim jims and beef jerky, individual drink mixes for water bottles, small packs of trail mix, nuts, pretzels, fruit or other snacks, decks of cards or small card games and Christmas cards with a personal message.

Donations can be dropped off at: DeGol Organization, ARC Federal Credit Union and M&T Bank, Plank Road in Altoona; Bellwood-Antis Public Library, Mayhue’s Garage and The Hope Center in Bellwood; and Mac’s Market and Kelly Wike State Farm Insurance in Tyrone.

Items will be collected throughout November. In addition, monetary donations for shipping costs can be made on the website at www.militaryfamiliesministry.com, Ciambotti said.

Those who have a loved one deployed over Christmas this year should email tracie@militaryfamiliesministry.com for information about their inclusion in the Stockings for the Troops project.