Where pandemic isolates, The Salvation Army steps in

The Salvation Army in the Southern Territory mobilizes to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. As families face sudden joblessness and financial crises, and vulnerable homeless residents seek shelter from the disease, corps and commands come up with creative ways to serve people in need and welcome stepped-up support from their community partners.

Nashville, Tennessee: Salvation Army Social Services Director April Calvin (left) and LifNav Outreach Coordinator Tiffany Ladd pick up items to deliver for the Nashville Command's encampment program. The outreach provides food and supplies to some of the community's most vulnerable neighbors. Regular visits are being made to homeless encampments across the city “to fill a hole in the service safety net that has developed due to COVID-19,” Major Ethan Frizzell, Nashville area commander, told NewsChannel5, Nashville. “We know that it is important for everyone to shelter at home, and this includes our neighbors experiencing homelessness. By bringing resources directly to them, we can help them in following the CDC safety guidelines.”

Rome, Georgia: The Salvation Army Corps gave “a huge virtual hug” on Facebook April 30 to the Berry Alumni Virtual Work Week Face Mask Crew. More than 150 beautiful and comfortable masks were delivered to the corps, providing a measure of safety for our staff, guests and neighbors. “Thank you for your servant's heart,” the corps said.

Richmond, Virginia: Every Wednesday, the Central Virginia Area Command partners with AT&T and Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods in providing over 1,200 meals in the region for first responders. The first round went out April 22 to Bon Secours Richmond Health System, VCU Health and the Richmond Police Department. Through a generous donation from AT&T, funding will also support meals from local restaurants to provide nourishment for Chesterfield County Fire and EMS.

Fort Worth, Texas: Residents at The Salvation Army's Mabee Center wanted a project that would keep them busy while also helping others during the COVID-19 lockdown. They have now hand-made over 75 masks to help keep Mabee Center residents, staff and community protected.

Charleston, West Virginia: The Salvation Army thanks the United Way and Cabin Creek Health Systems for working together to feed 150 families April 29 in Dawes, West Virginia. “We ran out of food, so we will be coming back soon to make sure everyone is fed!” the corps said in a Facebook posting.

Bowling Green, Kentucky: A recent distribution of food boxes at The Salvation Army Corps met the needs of 219 families and 649 individuals. The corps thanks the generous contributions of Bowling Green and area communities for helping to make this distribution possible.

Savannah, Georgia: The One Hundred Children's Foundation donated books April 23 to The Salvation Army Community Center for children who receive meals or in the corps’ after-school or summer programs. Their mission is to promote the health, education and well-being of children through financial support of child-focused outreach programs in Coastal Empire of Georgia and South Carolina. The Education Committee works year-round on opportunities to put books in children’s hands. Members enjoy reading to the children as well. “We are so thankful to them! It's donations like these that keep our programs running and help us serve the community,” the corps said in a Facebook posting.