GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The Salvation Army of Brown County started registering families in need for Christmas assistance Monday.

At the Salvation Army Gym, residents signed up for food baskets, along with the Coats for Kids and Toys for Tots program.

Staff says they expected to register 400 families during the first six hours of sign-up Monday, as a line of people stretched outside the door.

Director of Social Services Nan Pahl says the agency helped 2700 families in 2011. They’re expecting a 3 percent growth this year, which was on par with last year’s growth.

The Wisconsin Council of Children and Families says 15 percent of children in Brown County live in poverty. Poverty means for a family of four, the income is less than $23,000 a year.

Pahl tells FOX 11 many of the people looking for help have jobs, but are working part-time and wouldn’t be able to afford the extra costs of giving their kids Christmas gifts.

The Salvation Army will hold more sign-up sessions for Christmas assistance on the following dates:

Tuesday, October 9 from 1pm-7pm

Thursday, October 11 from 9am-1pm

Monday, October 15 from 3pm-7pm

Saturday, October 20 from 9 am-1pm

Tuesday, October 23 from 9am-1pm

Saturday, November 3 from 9am-1pm

Tuesday, November 6 from 3pm-7pm

Thursday, December 6 from 9am-3pm

Monday, December 10 from 10am-2pm

All sessions take place at the Salvation Army Gym at 626 Union Court in Green Bay. The last day to register for the Coats for Kids program will be Saturday, Nov. 3. You must have children under the age of 18 to qualify for the Coats for Kids program.

To sign up for assistance, adults must bring a photo ID and proof of current address in Brown County. You also need to bring verification of birth dates for all children, such as a birth certificate, shot record or birth announcement.

If you have questions about registering or would like to donate to the Salvation Army, call 920-497-7053.