Tim's Story - Homeless but Helping Others as a Salvation Army Volunteer
Pattie Odom | Pattie.Odom@uss.salvationarmy.org | (318) 424-3200
Tim is a volunteer for The Salvation Army in Shreveport and was the first to step up when a call was made for volunteers to deploy to Baton Rouge to assist with disaster services. He’s been in Baton Rouge for six long, hard days, but he says he would do it again in a heartbeat.
“We take the canteen out and rove the neighborhoods and look for piles of debris first, then we look for people,” says Tim, “they are so happy to see us.” Tim speaks of the woman in Zachary, Louisiana, who burst into tears when The Salvation Army Disaster Canteen pulled up with not only water and food, but hugs, prayer and spiritual ministry.
Tim headed back to Shreveport on Sunday evening, back home to his bed at The Salvation Army Merkle Center of Hope Shelter where Tim has been living since last November. He represents one of the many homeless who find themselves on hardtimes and turn to The Salvation Army for help.
Tim is proud to be able to serve along those who have helped him, as an equal, as a brother. He is proud to be “doing the most good.”
About The Salvation Army
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 7,600 centers of operation around the country. In the first-ever listing of “America’s Favorite Charities” by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Salvation Army ranked as the country’s largest privately funded, direct-service nonprofit. For more information, visit www.SalvationArmyUSA.org. Follow us on Twitter @SalvationArmyUS and #DoingTheMostGood.