Salvation Army Today

March Food Drive Hauls in 2.2 Million Pounds

In The Salvation Army’s US Central Territory; thanks to your donations, the March Food Drive raised about 2.2 million pounds of food and cash equivalent, besting last year’s total by 200,000 pounds.  
 
The food is already being used to replenish The Salvation Army’s 22 food pantries in Minnesota. Thousands of families are relying on these food pantries as they battle inflated food prices, supply shortages, and other financial challenges beyond their control.
 
The success of this year’s food drive is largely attributed to WCCO-TV, which promoted the drive extensively in its newscasts.
 
The food drive culminated April 2nd in a special weigh-in event at Salvation Army headquarters in Roseville, Minnesota. Gracious donors drove up in their cars to drop off food, while dozens of volunteers sorted thousands of pounds of donated nonperishables.  
 
Many local businesses supported the drive, accepting donations at their stores throughout March.
 
To find out how you can help The Salvation Army in your community, visit https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/
 

The Salvation Army Partners with Local Sheriff’s Department to Break Red Kettle Record

The Salvation Army of the Midlands partnered with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department to break a local record in the 2021 Red Kettle Campaign.
 
This first-time partnership raised over $1,400 in one day at a single store location, greatly helping to further the local work of The Salvation Army in the Columbia, S.C. area.
 
Since 1906, community partners in the Midlands have helped to raise awareness and funds for The Salvation Army through the Red Kettle program.
 
“Each volunteer that comes out to ring the bell for The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign not only contributes to its success, but the gift of their volunteer time is invaluable,” said Major Mark Craddock, area commander for The Salvation Army of the Midlands.
Thanks to the partnership with the local Sheriff’s department, this level of support from the community helped raise an overall kettle count of over $240,00 this past Christmas season. These funds will help The Salvation Army to continue their mission in helping individuals and families in need all year long.

The Salvation Army’s Highest Honor Goes to the FedEx Corporation

On February 25th, The Salvation Army presented FedEx Chairman and the FedEx President with the Evangeline Booth Award, The Salvation Army’s highest award.
The dedication, longstanding commitment, and community focus of the entire FedEx team has been absolutely crucial in growing The Salvation Army’s capacity to serve individuals and families in need.
            Since 2007, FedEx has provided over 20 canteens and mobile feeding units to The Salvation Army.
 For more stories like these visit https://salvationarmysoundcast.org/satoday
 

The Salvation Army Community Center in North Philadelphia

The Salvation Army hopes to reopen a long-shuttered community center soon that could make a huge difference in North Philadelphia.
 
In the early days of 2022, Gun violence and murders continued to plague parts of the city. However, several community groups, including the Salvation Army’s Philadelphia Temple in North Philly, have joined forces to try and address the violence.
 
Salvation Army officers, Lieutenants Chris and Tara Brown did some research and found that 90 percent of the recreation and community centers in Philadelphia have closed in the past two years.
 
The programming is desperately needed in the area. Chris Brown said besides a lack of activities for young people, the neighborhood is plagued by a breakdown of families and poverty.
 
With the need so urgent, the Browns hope to reopen the community center “as soon as possible,” probably sometime this year.
 
To learn more about The Salvation Army in North Philadelphia, visit 
https://easternusa.salvationarmy.org/eastern-pennsylvania/greater-philadelphia/
 

Funds to Enhance Ongoing Services In War-Torn Country

Recently, The Salvation Army’s World Service Office announced that it is allocating $1 million to be used for immediate needs in Ukraine as the organization continues to serve those being impacted by ongoing violence through a wide range of services.
The Salvation Army has a long-standing presence in Ukraine and neighboring countries. Because they are already part of the communities in which they serve, they are on the ground and ready to respond immediately in times of need such as this.
In light of the ongoing crisis, The Salvation Army in Ukraine is providing hope, healing, and comfort to displaced and affected families and individuals. Where it’s safe to serve, The Salvation Army has pivoted programs to provide food, clothes, blankets, and emotional and spiritual care to those who have been displaced from their homes and are seeking refuge.
 
To make a financial gift in support of ongoing relief efforts, you can
Donate online: salarmy.us/ukrainecrisis
or
Donate by phone: 1-800-SAL-ARMY
or
Text “UKRAINE” to 52000 to give a $10 donation
 

The Salvation Army‘s ’SOUPer Bowl’ celebrates 25th anniversary

In 1998, The Salvation Army launched an initiative in Jackson, Mississippi with the aim to raise awareness of hunger in the local community while raising vital funds to support the organization’s social services programming. More than two decades later, the work continues, and on Feb. 13, the 25th annual “SOUPer Bowl” event delivered on that focus.
 
Over a four-hour period, The Salvation Army distributed more than 125 gallons of soup donated by more than 25 local restaurants.
 
In addition to the soup distribution, an online auction helped to raise more than $14,500 to help others. The auction featured nearly 100 items including autographed memorabilia and electronics, with items donated by advisory board and women’s auxiliary members.
 
Plans are already in the works for the 26th edition of the SOUPer Bowl in 2023, and the event is one of many outreach efforts from The Salvation Army in the community.
 

A Great Achievement

The first students have graduated from The Salvation Army’s inaugural Mental Health and Addictions training program in Samoa.
The graduation ceremony was the culmination of three years of work that began in 2018 after the Samoan Government invited The Salvation Army to provide church, community and social services in the country.
At the time, about 80 per cent of criminal cases, domestic violence, burglary, theft and traffic offences involved alcohol.
 
Nat Senio, an alcohol and other drugs clinician with The Salvation Army said;
“It soon became very apparent that the need for alcohol and drug rehabilitation services was going to be significant as we soon began to exceed the predicted number of referrals, which then naturally progressed to further consideration of how we were going to best meet this need going forward,
“To date, we have supported 1037 clients through our Addiction Services.”
 
To learn more, visit salvationarmy.org/ihq

The Salvation Army Applauds Americans for Continued Giving During Challenging Year

More than two years into the pandemic, the American public still prioritizes the needs of their neighbors, highlighted by the fact that 2021 holiday cash donations to The Salvation Army were the 2nd highest in the organization's history.
The Salvation Army, the country’s largest non-governmental provider of social services, reports that the public generously donated approximately $520 million from October to December of last year to support their mission to meet human need in Christ’s name, without discrimination. The critical support will allow The Salvation Army to provide food, shelter, and other essential social services to more than 30 million Americans.
In recent years, the increased number of giving methods have paired with a more continuous awareness effort to ensure people can donate or volunteer not just at Christmas, but anytime during the year. The Salvation Army recently launched a new message to encourage Americans to “Love Beyond” the holidays and give donations year-round.
 
Need knows no season, nor does generosity,” said Commissioner Kenneth Hodder. “We operate more than 7,000 centers, 365 days a year in local communities, and we want people to know they can support their neighbors whenever is most convenient for them.”
 

Love and Care

The Salvation Army believes that older members of society deserve to be treated with dignity, and to receive care when needed, in an environment which will enhance quality of life.
The Salvation Army has 12 residential care homes and one regulated adult day center across the United Kingdom and Ireland. Each home provides love and care for older people, many of whom live with physical, sensory and cognitive impairments such as dementia and who need assistance with some or all aspects of their daily living.
 
Salvation Army staff are trained in caring for residents with dementia. Care planning includes activities designed to engage residents with dementia, and are intended to facilitate the maintenance of skills, support communication, cope with memory loss and encourage hobbies and everyday activities. Some of the care homes have ‘reminiscence rooms’ and specialized activities to support and stimulate those living with dementia.
 
 To hear more stories like these, visit SALVATIONARMYSOUNDCAST.ORG/SATODAY

Salvation Army Responds to The Russia And Ukraine Crisis

THE Salvation Army is responding rapidly to the urgent needs of displaced people who have been impacted by the unfolding Ukraine-Russia conflict. Emergency response teams across The Salvation Army’s global network continue their tireless efforts, providing critical relief, strategic planning, and emotional support through conditions of extreme challenge and distress.
Salvationists from the Eastern Europe Territory sprang into action with initial relief operations being delivered in Moldova, Romania, and Ukraine. In Moldova, The Salvation Army is supporting refugees from Ukraine through the provision of free temporary accommodations, made possible by Salvation Army officers and staff.
In various locations across Ukraine, internally displaced people are being supported through the supply of food and non-food items. Salvation Army corps and centers are ready to give help where needed.
The General of The Salvation Army has asked for believers to
‘Pray for peace in this troubled time,’ ‘Pray for the safety of those who are fleeing and for those who are already displaced; and pray for the de-escalation of the battle so that the threat to life is no longer a reality.’
To learn more, visit SALVATIONARMY.ORG/IHQ/NEWS