• Shawn Martin

The Salvation Army Preparing to Help More Families during Coronavirus Restrictions 

ST. LOUIS, April 11, 2020 – The Salvation Army Midland Division is working closely with state agencies to address the COVID-19 pandemic. We are in regular communication with local emergency management agencies and managers in local communities throughout the Midland Division, which includes Missouri and Southern Illinois.  Trained Salvation Army Emergency Response staff remain committed to Doing The Most Good for our neighbors in need.  The Salvation Army, with its corps community centers, will remain open to provide pre-packed food, in bags or boxes, to minimize person-to-person contact.  Locations have transitioned to outdoor drive-through/pick-up or door pick-up for food boxes. Several locations that offer hot meal programs have transitioned to grab and go meals in pre-packaged containers that can be picked up at the door.   

Currently, Washington University students/ “Food Angels” deliver Pre-packed food boxes  senior citizens every week. Meals are being served to the most vulnerable children who attended public schools such as those for whom English is a second language, those experiencing homelessness, and others that face barriers even in the best of times.  The Salvation Army in partnership with Russo’s Catering and Butler’s Pantry will provide prepared meals to many of those children within the community during this pandemic.  

We have extended our emergency warming shelter an additional 4 months to allow our neighbors experiencing homelessness to have a safe place to “stay home” during this pandemic. This continues through our partnership with St. Louis County.  Because we are being called to go above and beyond in this time of need, we anticipate a greater need for funding to maintain our service to the community.  

Food Services available at the following locations:

Arnold Corps Community Center: Food Pantry Wednesday, 9:30a - 11:45a. 

Euclid Corps Community Center: Food Pantry Friday, 9:30a - 12:00p.

Ferguson Community Empowerment Center: Emergency financial assistance is available by appointment only. 

Family Haven CIP: Food Pantry Tuesdays, 9:00a - 1:00p.

Gateway Corps Community Center: Food Pantry Mondays and Tuesdays10:00a - 1:00p, Wednesdays, 3:00p - 5:00p.  

Maplewood Corps Community Center: Food Pantry Wednesday, 9:30a - 12:30p. 

O’Fallon Corps Community Center: Food Pantry Monday, Thursday, and Friday, 10:00a - 1:45p and the second Wednesday of the month 5:30p - 7:15p.  

Temple Corps Community Center: Food Pantry Mondays 10:00a -12:00p and Thursdays 3:00p - 5:00p.   Additional Mobile Marts Wednesdays, 3:00p - 5:00p. Community meals served Wednesdays, 6:00p - 8:00p. 

St. Charles Corps Community Center: Food Pantry Tuesday – Thursday, 1:00p - 3:15p and Fridays, 1:00p - 2:45p.

Alton Corps Community Center:  Food Pantry Tuesday, 9:00a - 11:00a.

Belleville Corps Community Center: Food Pantry Wednesday - Thursday 1:00p - 4:00p. 

East St. Louis Community Center: Food Pantry Friday, 9:30a - 12:00p.

Granite City Corps Community Center:  Food Pantry Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, from 1:00p - 2:45p. 

All unlisted Corps Community Centers and Social Service Sites can be contacted directly for a list of ongoing services.

SHELTERS

Salvation Army Shelters will remain fully operational. Safety plans have been established to meet the needs of each location. Arrangements have been made to separately house residents who are symptomatic and to implement social distancing where possible.

MIDTOWN SERVICE & TREATMENT CENTER

Treatment services will continue normal operations, though visitors will be restricted for the time being. Arrangements have been made to separately house in-patient clients who are symptomatic and to implement social distancing where possible.

VETERANS’ RESIDENCE

Housing services will continue normal operations, though visitors will be restricted for the time being. Safety plans have been enacted to ensure the well-being of transitional and permanent housing residents

All Thrift Store locations are closed until further notice.