Caring Causes: National Salvation Army Week

 Yesterday marked the start of National Salvation Army Week—a week that has celebrated Salvation Army supporters for 69 years.

 

“This is the week we honor the heart and soul of The Salvation Army – our volunteers and donors,” said Lt. Col. Dan Jennings, Salvation Army Northern Division commander.

 

The United States Congress declared and President Dwight Eisenhower proclaimed the first National Salvation Army Week in 1954 as a reminder to Americans to give freely of themselves, saying, “Among Americans, The Salvation Army has long been a symbol of wholehearted dedication to the cause of brotherhood.”

 

This year, National Salvation Army Week runs May 15-21. It’s an annual opportunity for The Salvation Army to thank the volunteers and donors who’ve made the organization one of the world’s largest and most trusted charities.

 

This year’s observance is especially important because of the surge in demand for food assistance that the organization is seeing—a direct result from higher food, fuel, and housing costs. Last year in Minnesota and North Dakota, nearly 19,000 volunteers and countless donors helped The Salvation Army provide food, shelter, youth services, disaster relief and more to 300,000 people.

 

One such volunteer is Roy Evans, who has volunteered with The Salvation Army since 2008. In fact, he has logged an average of nearly 500 volunteer hours a year during that time. Evans is a military veteran who lives with health challenges, though his physical limitations do not prevent him from spending many hours sorting and distributing food donations at the food shelf of one of the organization’s service centers. He also cooks hot meals for some of the center’s adult programs that meet during the week.

 

For Ca’Mirah Harris, it was her grandmother who encouraged the teenager to volunteer at The Salvation Army, because it would be both fun and meaningful. Today, she’s a staple volunteer for the Summer Day Camp program at their East St. Paul service center. She volunteers every weekday during the summer, helping to provide guidance and supervision for local youth—many of whom live in challenging situations. Her day starts early with getting breakfast and supplies ready, and she will often invent new activities for campers.

 

“Thanks to the help of volunteers and donors who support us, we were able to serve everyone who came to The Salvation Army looking for assistance,” Jennings said. “Not only is National Salvation Army Week a time of thanks, it’s also a time for new volunteers and donors to join our important mission.”

 

The hardships Minnesota families are facing due to rising inflation are far from over. To volunteer, sign up with your local Salvation Army by visiting SalvationArmyNorth.org/volunteer.

 

 

 

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The Salvation Army Northern Division last year helped 300,000 people overcome poverty, addiction and economic hardship through a range of social services, meeting human needs without discrimination. This year, new struggles caused by food shortages, inflation, increased energy costs and the threat of eviction have elevated the numbers of those seeking assistance.

 

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 Northern Division is #DoingTheMostGood at 77 operation centers in Minnesota and North Dakota. For more information about The Salvation Army Northern Division, please visit SalvationArmyNorth.org.