The Salvation Army Continually Serving During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Christopher Priest | chris.priest@uss.salvationarmy.org | (678) 485-4735
Atlanta, GA: The Salvation Army continues to strive to meet human need in His name without discrimination, even as the COVID-19 pandemic rages around the globe. In the Southern Territory, the work takes on many iterations, with service to communities everywhere.
In Richmond, Virginia, The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club on R Street has been converted into a shelter specifically accommodating those most vulnerable. With other local shelters at near capacity, The Salvation Army was able to purchase new cots, linens, supplies and food, with the help of a grant from the COVID-19 response fund to maintain the new venue. In addition, The Salvation Army will begin a new meal delivery program next week, with the plan to deliver 1,200 meals each Wednesday to police officers, fire and rescue workers, and hospital workers in the region.
A weekly drive-thru food service is in place in Albany, Georgia, with The Salvation Army distributing assistance in a community that is considered a hotspot for COVID-19. Non-perishable food items, fresh fruit and vegetables, pastries and more are distributed in boxed form, with each box able to feed up to four people for three meals per day. With the local school system ceasing lunch service for students, the demand is heightened, and more than 1,000 meal boxes have already been dispersed.
While closed to normal operation since March 23, The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club of Orange County, Texas is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic through targeted contact with member families. Each family is contacted at least once per week through program and/or food delivery, with members receiving program packets or care packages through delivery to their homes. Staff is intentional about contacting members to assess their specific needs and, in a continuance of an after-school funding program, meals and snacks are also delivered, with an open line of communication persisting.
Continuing a Blog Post written by Brad Rowland, Staff Writer, Southern Spirit Newspaper
About The Salvation ArmyThe 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.