Norwich — The Norwich Salvation Army will be displaced from its fire-damaged building longer than expected, and officials now are seeking temporary space to operate its expanded services through the holiday season.

Capt. Jerry Uttley said Wednesday that the damage caused by the Aug. 24 accidental fire in the Salvation Army’s building at 262 Main St. will take about six months to repair. The Salvation Army had hoped to be back into the building this fall. Uttley said coordinating repairs with the national Salvation Army and the insurance company is taking more time than expected.

Uttley said the Salvation Army will continue to operate daily at donated space in the United Congregational Church at 87 Broadway, but needs a larger space — preferably a 2,000-square-foot downtown storefront along the commuter bus line — to run its Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday services. The storefront space would be used for holiday food and gift collection and distributions to local families and children.

The Salvation Army is hoping for an offer of donated space for the holidays, Uttley said.

In addition, the Salvation Army is looking for use of two vans, a mini-van and a larger van, to run its holiday operations. The vans would be used to transport food and gifts to the holiday center and to transport volunteers and supplies to the annual holiday kettle drives at various local stores.

Local Salvation Army officials met Tuesday and set the holiday kettle drive goal for this year at $80,000 to fund the regular agency operations in 2015. That does not include recovery funds needed to replenish fire-damaged equipment and supplies.

The kettle drive will run from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve. Uttley said the schedule is still being worked out, and volunteers are needed to ring the bell and staff the kettle stations.

"I believe that the Lord will provide for us," Uttley said. "I just believe we need to continue to be faithful and provide the needs for the community."

c.bessette@theday.com

Twitter: @Bessettetheday

How to help

Norwich Salvation Army needs downtown Norwich storefront space, vans to run holiday services and kettle bell-ringer volunteers.

To donate or volunteer, contact Norwich Salvation Army Capt. Jerry Uttley at (860) 889-2329.

Norwich Salvation Army's temporary office is at United Congregational Church, 87 Broadway, Norwich.

Hours: 9 a.m. to noon Monday; 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; 9 a.m. to noon Friday.