• Shawn Martin

 Statement from The Salvation Army Midland Division Coronavirus COVID-19 

ST. LOUIS, March 13, 2020 – The Salvation Army Midland Division is working closely with state agencies to address the COVID-19 outbreak. We are in regular communication with local emergency management agencies and managers in local communities throughout Midland Division Across the Midland Division, trained Salvation Army Emergency Response staff are on standby to assist if requested. Ensuring the safety of those who depend on The Salvation Army’s programs and services, along with the safety of staff and volunteers, is of utmost priority. We are closely tracking progress through the Center for Disease Control reporting and distributing prevention guidance to all staff, employees, volunteers, and program participants on proper hygiene and prevention. 

•  The Salvation Army Midland Division is currently preparing for the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, closely following guidelines issued from government officials. 
• The Salvation Army that routinely operates the largest family shelter in St. Louis County is also contracted by St. Louis County to operate its winter overflow shelter for persons who are chronically homeless and “on the streets” The Salvation Army will extend this sheltering at St. Louis County’s request for homeless persons most at risk. 
• The Salvation Army Midland Divisional headquarters, located in St. Louis, Missouri, is working with its corps community centers to maintain its food pantries and other congregate gathering spaces in a sanitary manner minimizing participant presence. 
• The Salvation Army, throughout Missouri and southern Illinois, is educating the formerly homeless residents of its eight homeless shelters, its three family apartment housing developments, its elderly apartment housing, and an addictions outpatient and residential treatment program. 
• The Salvation Army has increased its cleaning efforts at all its facilities, including our shelters and kitchens. Our staff is regularly cleaning and disinfecting in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
• St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson declared the coronavirus a public health emergency in the city Thursday and said canceling events was necessary to inhibit potential spread of the virus. 
•  Organized events of more than 1,000 people in the city of St. Louis will be prohibited indefinitely to limit the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, city leaders announced Thursday. 
• The ban came shortly before Gov. Mike Parson announced that a second person in Missouri has tested positive for coronavirus, this one in Greene County in southwestern Missouri. A Ladue woman who recently returned to St. Louis County after studying abroad in Italy was the state’s first confirmed case. 

“The Salvation Army deeply cares for our all staff, employees, volunteers and program participants. The Salvation Army would like to remind everyone that the preventative measures put in place are to ensure everyone’s safety, health and wellbeing. The Salvation Army remains in constant communication with local officials and will work in close partnership to prepare and respond to meet the needs of our community” said, Lt. Colonel Dan Jennings, The Salvation Army Midland Division Commander.” 

The Salvation Army has been serving and will continue to do so in His name without discrimination. 

Persons in Missouri feeling ill or contagious, should contact Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (877) 435-8411 or their local health department. 

Persons in Illinois feeling ill or contagious should contact Illinois Department of Public Health (800) 889-3931 or their local health department. 

For more information about COVID-19 and how to prevent it, visit the CDC website