Salvation Army Today

The Salvation Army in Thunder Bay Provides Safe Shelter and Meals During Extreme Cold

The Salvation Army Journey to Life Center, an emergency men’s shelter in Thunder Bay Ontario is supporting those experiencing homelessness during the latest extreme cold.
The emergency shelter currently has space for everyone that needs to come out of the cold including a 25-bed overflow section.
The Salvation Army’s mobile outreach vehicle also continues to go out every night, providing up to 200 meals a night, including soup, sandwiches and hot chocolate. Staff members on the van are also handing out warm clothing such as hats, gloves, coats, and more.
 
The City of Thunder Bay runs a care bus which stops at the various shelters and there are several warming centers throughout the city.
If anyone would like to donate warm winter clothing to The Salvation Army they can drop off at The Salvation Army Journey to Life Centre. Monetary donations can be made by visiting salvationarmy.ca or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY.

Loaves and fishes in the Mississippi Delta

When tornadoes ripped across the entire state of Mississippi last month, many communities were thrown into chaos. What followed is an example of humanity and southern hospitality at its finest.
 
When Salvation Army units deployed to the area, crew members discovered a distribution center that was not an official distribution center at all.
 
Renee, a longtime resident of Blackhawk, explained. “Loaves and Fishes. That’s the best way to sum it up. Ms. Ailene came out here yesterday with 25 biscuits and water, and it’s grown from there.”
 
Inspired by one person intending to serve only breakfast, community members started to bring donations. There were multiple tents providing any number of necessities and caravans of all-terrain vehicles taking coolers of ice and supplies to people still trapped by impassible roads.
 
The Salvation Army will continue to assess community needs to ensure survivors have their immediate needs met.
 
You can support these efforts by visiting helpsalvationarmy.org or by texting MSTornadoes to 51555.
 

New Canteen Unit from FedEx Rolls Out in Kansas City

On Wednesday, February 22nd, representatives from The Salvation Army and FedEx welcomed a brand-new mobile kitchen canteen unit to the Emergency Disaster Services fleet for the Kansas and Western Missouri Division.
 
The new vehicle is the 22nd donation from FedEx to Salvation Army units around the globe including major cities in the US to as far away as Mumbai.
 
Major Kelly Collins, divisional commander of the Kansas and Western Missouri Division, said. “This new addition to our EDS fleet will be there to positively affect people’s lives whether in our day-to-day operations or when disaster strikes anywhere in our region.”
 
In Kansas City, the new unit will initially service as part of The Salvation Army’s Honk and Holler program, providing meals and services to people struggling with homelessness in and around downtown Kansas City. Just like The Salvation Army as a whole, it will be ready to respond to any disaster the moment one should occur.

The Salvation Army responds to extensive tornado damage across Mississippi

A series of tornadoes ripped through the state of Mississippi on Friday, March 24th, causing damage across a 200-mile path. By Saturday morning, The Salvation Army mobilized teams to assess the damage and to begin distributing meals, snacks, and water to survivors and first responders.
 
Units were stationed in Rolling Fork, Silver City, Winona, and Amory. In addition to meal service, The Salvation Army Emergency and Disaster Services contributed over 1400 shelf-stable meals and palettes of water to community distribution centers for residents to pick up as needed.
 
Emotional and Spiritual Care is an important part of disaster response for The Salvation Army. Beyond the immediate visible effects, survivors can experience emotional stress and trauma. Whether through a shoulder for crying, an ear for listening, or just a moment of prayer, The Salvation Army is ready to help.
 
You can support these efforts by visiting helpsalvationarmy.org or by texting MS Tornadoes to 51555

The Salvation Army and USF partner in Tampa area

The Salvation Army and the University of South Florida’s College of Nursing recently launched an innovative partnership in the Tampa area.
The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Center houses approximately 160 men and women daily and, before this alliance emerged, between two and three non-emergency medical service calls were placed each day. This partnership aims to alleviate that burden.
 
The program, launched in 2022, provides the opportunity for individuals to prioritize their health through free health education, care coordination, resources, assessments, and transportation to medical visits. USF assistant professor LaTiena Williams is a key piece of collaboration.
 
Growth opportunities are also present for the partnership, including the implementation of an on-call doctor and volunteers for the program.
 
To learn more visit SALVATIONARMYFLORIDA.ORG

The Salvation Army provides humanitarian aid to migrants in El Paso

When the largest migrant shelter in El Paso closed on August 6th of last year, The Salvation Army had provided over 180,000 total meals. Although that specific project has ended, The Salvation Army has continued its mission to meet human need in His name without discrimination.
The Salvation Army is now involved in a second project to continue its feeding operations at several hotels for homeless families and individuals that test COVID-positive. This is three meals per day, all of which are in the shelter kitchen before being transported to participating hotels.
Salvation Army Officer, Major Estrada said,
“These families came to The Salvation Army because they needed a helping hand, and it’s great to see them reach out for spiritual support,”
“That’s exactly what we’re here to do—to be good neighbors for our neighbors in need.”
 
To learn more or offer your support visit https://southernusa.salvationarmy.org/elpaso/
 

Backpack Food Program

Every week, The Salvation Army in Red Deer, Alberta Canada, has helped vulnerable families with food support through the Backpack Meal Program, where individual bags filled with meals and snacks are delivered to participating schools, and distributed to children enrolled in the program.
 
The Backpack Meal Program has been in place since 2014. As of the first week of February 2023, it serves 247 students from pre-k to 12th grade in the 25 participating schools in Red Deer.
 
Every week Salvation Army staff and volunteers prepare each bag and on Friday, these bags are given to the students to take home for the weekend.
 
According to Community Ministries Worker, Anita Fraser, since the program runs solely on donations, liaisons keep track of how each family is doing, and how their financial situation is progressing. This way it ensures the families that are in most need get the support they need.
 
Learn more at SALVATIONARMY.CA

The Salvation Army Expanding Relief Effort Throughout Columbiana County, OH

As the massive clean-up effort continues following the 50-car train derailment in East Palestine, OH, on February 3rd, 2023, The Salvation Army has expanded its relief effort to areas throughout Columbiana County to meet the needs of affected communities. The Salvation Army continues providing food, spiritual care, and other assistance to families impacted by this event. 
 
“It has been close to a month since the derailment, and the needs in the East Palestine community are greater than ever. Residents are concerned about the safety of being in their homes. Fears around tainted water supplies have created concerns about using the water for drinking and bathing.
 
The Salvation Army in East Liverpool is now coordinating relief operations in southern Columbiana County.   Residents needing aid can contact The Salvation Army Corps Community Center in East Liverpool. Call (330) 385-2086 to get help.
 
And if you’re in a place to offer your support, visit SalvationArmyOhio.org

The Salvation Army Red Cap Program

As children reach their pre-teen years, they become more likely to face personal challenges and, while everyone is different, some may have more trouble than others when it comes to adjusting to situations that alter their emotions. The Salvation Army’s Red Cap Program focuses on giving participants a guide on how to identify their emotions and how to express them in a healthy way as a form of anger management.
Red Cap is an eight-week program open to children between the ages of 8 to 12. The program uses different techniques in its lessons to help them understand what emotions might precede anger.
 
The Red Cap Program is run by Salvation Army volunteers who are well-trained and screened. Teaching students how to cope with their anger and process their emotions can prevent future aggressive or violent reactions.
 
Learn more at SALVATIONARMY.CA
 

Salvation Army Soccer Programs

For years, The Newark Ironbound Soccer Club, with its over 1,200 players in almost 80 teams, has created high-caliber soccer players and won titles across the country. What many don’t realize is that this soccer club is run and operated by The Salvation Army.
A lot of people don’t know that we have one of the largest, most successful inner city soccer programs in the country.
To make the program accessible, the price to join the club is half that of other soccer programs in the area, and The Salvation Army offers full and partial scholarships.
We don’t want any child who comes to us to be denied access to soccer. Plus, we want the families of those children to use the Army’s services, whether it be for food, financial help, or prayer.
 
For more information on the Newark Ironbound Soccer Club, visit: https://www.ironboundsoccer.com/