Salvation Army Today

Helping the Helpers

When it didn’t look like The Salvation Army in Washington, Pa., would meet its kettle goal this past Christmas, Captain Jason Imhoff made a bold prediction.
“It may not end up in the bucket, but God will provide what we need,” he told his wife, Captain Amber Imhoff.
Then, the night before the church’s Christmas toy distribution, an apartment fire displaced 52 people in Washington. The Salvation Army spent about $30,000 housing the victims in a local hotel.
After an article appeared in the local newspaper highlighting the kettle shortfall, Captain Amber got a call from the Washington County Community Foundation. Amber discovered that the foundation was donating $50,000 to The Salvation Army—enough to cover both the kettle deficit and the housing of the fire victims.
Her response was, ‘You are the hands and feet to our prayer.’
 
The Salvation Army in Washington is there all year long. The Army helped more than 1,600 children at Christmas and provides weekend food for 355 students a week during the school year. The church also provides monthly produce for 700 households; a shoe giveaway; a back-to-school program; youth programs, and more.

Center of Hope

Last week, The Salvation Army in Anaheim California’s new Center of hope building got underway as the team officially broke ground.
This new facility will incorporate innovative programming to establish a “Homeless Throughput” model that transitions individuals from life on the streets to a life of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual stability.
This will include complete “wrap-around services” and a Mental Health Crisis Intake Center, working in consultation with “Be Well OC.”  The Center of Hope will establish a new standard of excellence in wrap-around care and homelessness services locally, nationally, and internationally.
Major Nesan Kistan, Salvation Army Orange County’s divisional secretary, said
“We believe in the next three years the Salvation Army will be pivotal to disrupting the homeless space, ending chronic homelessness” in the community.
 
To learn more, visit https://orangecounty.salvationarmy.org/orange_county_ca/center-of-hope-1/
 

Salvation Army Warming Shelters

Due to extreme weather conditions and low temperatures, many Salvation Army warming shelters, especially in the northeast, are now running on a 24-hour basis.
In many counties, The Salvation Army has partnered with transportation services who will provide free transportation to riders who indicate they are traveling to a cold weather shelter.
 
As temperatures reach life-threatening lows, many locations are now in urgent need of volunteers to keep these shelters running.
 
Volunteers are needed to help for 3-hour time frames to serve hot beverages, food and supplies to locals experiencing homelessness and retreating to these warming shelters to escape the cold.
 
The Salvation Army annually helps more than 30 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction, and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at over 7,000 centers of operation around the country.
 
If you are interested in volunteering, visit salvationarmyusa.org to learn more.

The Salvation Army and UBER Coat Drive

This past week, The Salvation Army and UBER partnered together to help those in need of a winter coat.
From Thursday, January 27th through Saturday the two launched a 3-day coat drive in select cities in the US.
Using Uber Connect, consumers were able to select their nearest drop-off location and a driver would deliver their donated coats on their behalf.
These donated coats will then be sold through Salvation Army Thrift stores to directly support The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Centers in that community.
For more than 100 years, Adult Rehabilitation Center programs have offered spiritual, emotional, and social assistance to those who have lost the ability to cope with their problems and provide for themselves. These no cost programs provide housing, food, counseling, and employment as they work to treat the symptoms and ultimately the root causes of addiction.
To learn more, visit salvationarmyusa.org
 

The Salvation Army honored with ‘Hope Marches On’ proclamations

In December, Governors Bill Lee of Tennessee and Andy Beshear of Kentucky signed proclamations declaring “Hope Marches On” month in both states to honor the work of The Salvation Army.
“The Salvation Army has remained steadfast in their commitment to Kentuckians, especially during the challenges,” said Governor Beshear.  “As we enter the Christmas holidays, I was proud to personally thank these heroes and officially proclaim December 2021 as Hope Marches on Month in honor of the organization’s continued efforts to help families in every corner of the commonwealth.”
Since tornadoes ripped through this part of the country this December, The Salvation Army has provided over 22,000 meals, 23,000 snacks, and 13,000 drinks. Additionally, more than 2,700 people were reached for spiritual care.
Hope will continue marching into the new year as The Salvation Army plans for long-term recovery efforts in communities impacted. The Salvation Army was one of the first to respond and is committed to long-lasting efforts to help neighbors rebuild.

Marshall Fire Response

The Marshall fire that swept quickly through Boulder County on Dec. 30, 2021, was the most destructive in Colorado history in terms of the number of homes destroyed.
Officials have released information that 991 structures were destroyed with another 127 damaged. 
In response to the fires, The Salvation Army provided feeding support of nearly 4,000 meals to people that received sheltering support and first responders.
The Salvation Army is currently stationed at The Disaster Assistance Center in Lafayette, CO that opened to the public on  January 3, 2022.
The Disaster Assistance Center stayed open to provide assistance to families displaced by the fires. 
“We will continue to partner with Colorado Baptist Disaster Relief on feeding efforts at the Disaster Assistance Center,” said Executive Director of Emergency Disaster Services, Ian Anderson. 
“Salvation Army volunteers will continue to be present to serve meals and provide snacks and drinks to those who come to receive assistance.” 
If you wish to help The Salvation Army’s continued efforts supporting those affected by the fires, we highly encourage you to make monetary donations at this time at https://salarmy.us/firerelief2022 or text FIRERELIEF to 51555. 
To learn more, visit http://www.imsalvationarmy.org.

Walk in My Boots

As cold frigid temperatures hit Michigan in the past weeks, Toyota Motor- North America stepped in for the 11th consecutive year to support the local Detroit community through its “Walk in My Boots” community outreach project.
On Saturday, January 15, 2022, over 150 family members in need from The Salvation Army Conner Creek Corps & Community Center received new, insulated winter boots and socks to help shield families from the cold.
Winter is the often the hardest time of year for many low-income families.  When temperatures drop below freezing, people are at severe risk for hypothermia to set in and consequences can be fatal.  While some programs offer winter coat, hat and glove giveaways, a person’s feet are often left exposed as many families take the bus or walk in harsh elements. 
The Connor Creek Corps Community Center offers a place of respite, refuge, peace, and prayer for the entire community. To learn about The Salvation Army in your community, visit SALVATIONARMYUSA.ORG

General Brian Peddle’s New Year Message

Recently, to encourage and ring in the new year, the General of The Salvation Army, General Brian Peddle, released a New Year’s message and greeting to Salvationists and friends of The Salvation Army around the world.
He acknowledged that many of us, understandably so, are entering this new year with a heavy heart. But he reminds us that we are not in this alone and our God is always faithful.
To watch the full message, visit, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tFZbi7FG8c
https://salvationarmysoundcast.org/satoday
 

Family Sponsors a Meal at Rochester Salvation Army

Nobody loved The Salvation Army’s hot meal program in Rochester, Minnesota, more than Jack Taylor. For years, he stopped by almost every weekday.
Jack lived with schizophrenia and viewed The Salvation Army as a place of refuge from his daily struggles. He enjoyed talking to other lunch guests and making new friends.
Sadly, Jack passed away in November after battling cancer. He was 66.
As a tribute to Jack, 10 members of his family paid for and served a hot community lunch at the Rochester Salvation Army on Dec. 31st
“Our family is very appreciative of the welcoming place The Salvation Army created for Jack,” Laura said. “We wanted to show our thanks in some way that would honor my brother and also express our gratitude.
Your donations to The Salvation Army fund local meal programs that offer a place of love and acceptance for thousands of people just like Jack. Last year, your generous gifts allowed us to serve more than 500,000 hot meals in Minnesota and North Dakota – and the need is expected to rise in 2022.
Please join The Salvation Army by giving a donation or signing up to volunteer. Your help will provide food, shelter and care for people and families in desperate need.

The Salvation Army Helps Afghan Evacuees

The Salvation Army’s Disaster Services in the USA Western Territory activated an Incident Management Team at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico, to provide donations management of nearly 100 tons of items that had been given to support the US military’s ‘Operation Allies Welcome’.
 
This effort is providing transportation, temporary housing, medical screening, and general support for at least 50,000 Afghan evacuees at various secure locations. The Salvation Army’s role in the ongoing response began in September and took place over a period of four weeks.
 
The Salvation Army also worked with Islamic Relief USA, a non-profit humanitarian and advocacy organization, to have 1,500 prayer rugs shipped to the airbase. The evacuees were overwhelmingly Muslims, and the prayer rugs were important in providing opportunity to carry out their five daily prayers.