Frontlines

The Army at Large – July 2022

The Salvation Army's ministry spans 132 countries worldwide. Here's a look at how the Army is doing the most good in the USA.

Sacramento, CA

The Center of Hope Emergency Shelter in Sacramento has recently added 60 beds to its facility thanks to new funding from Sacramento County. The initial partnership with the county is set to last 30 months. According to Captain Larry Carmichael, with regular shelter guest turnover, as many as 1,500 additional individuals could have a place to stay for an average of 65 days during the 30-month partnership thanks to the new beds.  

Dane County, WS

Two local Salvation Army shelters in Dane County are now offering 24-hour medical services in partnership with Nurse Disrupted, a telehealth medical service designed for underserved populations. Telehealth kiosks were installed at the shelters, where guests can see and speak with nurses that staff the kiosks 24/7. The nurses provide medical advice and assess guests’ symptoms to determine if they need further medical attention. For many guests who do not have health insurance and cannot typically afford emergency medical services, this option is “a game-changer,” according to Melissa Sorensen, Executive Director of Social Services. 

Rochester, IN

In partnership with the Evangel United Methodist Church, The Salvation Army of Rochester ran a food drive in which they received over $17,000 worth of food donations. The hope is that the donations will keep the foodbank in downtown Rochester stocked with nonperishable food items through to the end of 2022. The Army in Rochester will not be hosting any more food drives like this until 2023 due to a lack of storage, with the belief that the donations they have already received, in addition to monetary and perishable food donations, will maintain the foodbank’s operations for the remainder of the year.

Phoenix, AZ

In early May, The Salvation Army and Talking Stick Golf Club hosted the “Fore the Cause” Golf Tournament, presented by Windom Security Strategies Today, to benefit the Army’s emergency family shelter, with more than 140 golfers in attendance. As the golfers played, they were greeted on the course by former shelter residents who showed the donors the powerful outcomes their contributions could have. One of these former residents, Stephanie Gilmer, has started working for the Army since she’s left the shelter; she is a vocational director in the Family Services Office. Over $50,000 was raised at the event. According to Major Tim Smith, housing one family for one day in the 23-unit facility costs around $150, and families can stay for up to 120 days.  

Floyd County, IN

In southern Indiana, The Salvation Army recently teamed with the United States Postal Service to provide food for families in a one-of-a-kind food drive. Volunteers in Floyd County filled bags with non-perishable food items and left them by their mailboxes. USPS drivers on their mail delivery routes picked up the donations and the collected food was then delivered to The Salvation Army. There, the food was sorted before families made food orders over the next week and picked up the donated goods soon after.  

atlanta, ga

The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary (SAWA) of Metro Atlanta celebrated its 70th anniversary this year at the Evangeline Booth College. One of the fundraising group’s achievements has been the “Kettle Krush 5K,” which has raised more than $320,000 in the past four years. The celebration, postponed for 12 months due to COVID-19, was attended by 11 past organization presidents, SAWA members, female cadets from the college, Commissioner Barbara Howell, Major Jan Harwell, Major Teresa Newsome, and other special guests. Commissioner Howell and Major Harwell congratulated the organization on its milestone and presented them with an engraved glass “Bowl of Excellence” award.  

New London, CT 

The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club of New London recently opened their newly renovated facility with a community celebration and grand opening that included carnival games and a live DJ. The refreshed space allows for more activities and engagement for the kids that are a part of the program, which serves at-risk children and assists over-worked parents. The children are provided with a safe and fun space to do homework and grow as individuals. The program is currently at capacity with aspirations to expand to satellite locations in the future.  

belmont, oh

Already very active in Belmont County, The Salvation Army has recently received a “Blessing Box” from a local Girl Scout troop, built by Belmont Career Center students. People can drop off any item they have no need of, as long as it is new or unused. Those in need can take any item from the box at no cost. You can find anything from food to beauty supplies in the box, all supplied by the generosity of the Belmont community. The Blessing Box was recently installed in front of the local corps.  



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