Salvationists continue the fight against disease, hunger

As communities across the U.S. reopen after weeks of COVID-19 shutdowns, the needs are as great as ever. The Salvation Army is in the thick of battle against hunger, homelessness and poverty and continues to support our first responders.

Baltimore, Maryland: Maryland posted this to one of its Facebook pages on June 9: “The Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism Team is overwhelmed by the compassion and generosity of Marylanders. Thank you to The Salvation Army of Central Maryland for the opportunity to directly serve 2,020 meals to our neighbors impacted by #COVID19. #MarylandStrong AmeriCorps members commit to service and do this work every day.” — Director Nicki Fiocco

Collier County, Florida: The Salvation Army helped to provide meal service for a three-day testing of residents for COVID-19 at the Collier County Public Library. The Army and Three60, a local market, fed first responders and workers as they administered more than 1,000 tests. The Salvation Army served 420 meals in addition to snacks to test administrators.

Savannah, Georgia: The Salvation Army partnered with Chatham Parkway Toyota and the Toyota/Lexus Minority Owners Dealership Association on May 22 to deliver more than 200 food packages. The deliveries went to senior citizens without transportation and unable to purchase food safely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Part of a nationwide initiative in which TLMODA gave away 4,800 food boxes in 17 states and 24 cities, The Salvation Army and Toyota and Lexus dealership staff distributed boxes of nonperishable groceries to the TSA Senior Ministry, Senior Citizens Inc., the Isle of Hope Methodist Church community outreach and senior residents of Rendant Apartments. "Chatham Parkway Toyota/Lexus has demonstrated their commitment to this community and to those less fortunate during this time of crisis,” Major Paul Egan of the Savannah Corps told the Savannah CEO business newsletter.

Martinsville, Virginia: Responding to the coronavirus pandemic's economic crisis, and supported by a hefty donation, the Martinsville Corps opens a food bank each Thursday. The "Thank God It's Thursday" food bank is for whoever needs food, with a limit of one visit a month per family, according to Salvation Army Lieutenant Bradley Mumford.

Meridian, Mississippi: On National Donut Day Friday, June 5, The Salvation Army partnered with Shipley Do-Nuts to serve more than 300 frontline workers at local hospitals and police, fire and EMT departments.

Charleston, West Virginia: The Salvation Army corps posted this to Facebook on June 19: “Partnerships are vital in serving those in our communities. Today, The Salvation Army, United Way of Central West Virginia, Kanawha Valley Collective and Cabin Creek Health Systems gave out 475 hot meals and over 200 food boxes on the West Side of Charleston. Together, we are making a difference.” Earlier in the week, staff and volunteers of The Salvation Army and the United Way delivered food to 87 households, and four pallets of food boxes to the Hungry Lambs Food Initiative to feed another 140 families.

Deland, Florida: Salvation Army staff and volunteers distribute personal hygiene and comfort kits to homeless men and women in the area

Albany, Georgia: Salvation Army corps members celebrated National Salvation Army Week May 11-17 by visiting with community partners, leaving treats and thanking them for their service. Those visited included police, firefighters, the Phoebe Putney Health System and Southern Point Staffing.

Hampton, Virginia: Gloucester Toyota and the Toyota Lexus Minority Owners Dealership Association partnered with The Salvation Army of the Virginia Peninsula to help distribute food boxes, PPE kits and paper products to 240 families across Gloucester and Mathews counties.