Salvation Army Today

Thank you so much for listening to Salvation Army Today. It's been an honor to share these incredible stories of Salvation Army work around the world. We have decided to discontinue this show to focus on our 4 flagship shows, Words of Life, Heartbeat, Palabras de Vida, and Latido. These four shows are going to now be a part of the LifeAudio Christian podcast network! Learn more at https://www.lifeaudio.com/ And subscribe to our other shows here https://salvationarmysoundcast.org/

In response to the governor of New Mexico declaring a state of emergency, The Salvation Army Southwest Division has deployed an emergency disaster team to provide donation management to aid those affected by the South Fork and Salt fires burning near Ruidoso. Donations of new items are being accepted from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily at the Roswell Armory, located at 1 W. Earl Cummings Loop, where The Salvation Army serves the surrounding area from its corps community center. Donations accepted: Personal hygiene items, baby items, linens and blankets, socks and underwear, bottled water and sports drinks, nonperishable snack items, toilet paper and paper towels, cleaning supplies, toys and games. Not accepted items are used items of any kind, such as household items, appliances, furniture or prepared meals. Monetary donations can be made at newmexico.salvationarmy.org or by texting RUIDOSO to 51555.

The Salvation Army Western Division is responding to widespread flooding in Northwest Iowa. A Salvation Army disaster-relief team from Western Divisional headquarters in Omaha arrived in Rock Valley, Iowa, to survey the damage and create a plan to provide support to those impacted by the flooding. On Monday June 24th Salvation Army disaster-relief teams began serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner in Rock Valley – daily – to flood-impacted individuals and families, as well as first responders and cleanup crews. The Salvation Army has been serving hundreds of meals per day– and meal service will continue for as long as there is a need. The Salvation Army has also distributed flood-cleanup kits for distribution in affected communities. The Salvation Army will continue to assess community needs throughout northwest Iowa as its initial disaster-relief response unfolds. To support The Salvation Army’s continued efforts visit disaster.salvationarmyusa.org

Lost Bridge Village, a rural community of 400, prides itself on its kindness and generosity. However, when a tornado tore through the area, the residents found themselves in dire straits, lacking power, water, and sewer services. "We are so far out that we get forgotten," said Stacey from Lost Bridge Water and Sewer. Even five days post-storm, more than 100 people remained without power. The Salvation Army, informed by a local mayor about the community’s plight, promptly sent a mobile feeding unit to Lost Bridge Village. News of the hot meals spread quickly among the residents. The Salvation Army's presence brought relief and comfort, offering hot meals, clean-up kits, and hygiene kits. The support continued until utilities were restored, ensuring that the residents had the resources they needed. To learn more about The Salvation Army’s Disaster Services and offer your support, visit disaster.salvationarmyusa.org

For young adults struggling to find their place, The Salvation Army in Guelph, Ont., offers connection and friendship. The Young Adults Drop-In was an initiative that started in 2022. The goal is to create a wellness hub for young adults and build bridges between the community and The Salvation Army. Drop-in attendees meet every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., to socialize, play board games and video games, practice sports in the gym, or simply relax. Each session begins with a home-cooked meal provided by Salvation Army volunteers. The connections made go beyond just offering help to participants. Learning about the work of The Salvation Army motivates attendees to get involved. According to Rowena, many of them have gone on to volunteer for the Army. To learn about opportunities like this near you visit salvationarmyusa.org

The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit reminds the public that anyone seeking relief from the scorching temperatures hitting metro Detroit, can visit their local Salvation Army corps community center to stay safe and cool. As heat advisories have been in effect with heat indexes topping 95 degrees in metro Detroit. The nonprofit’s 13 corps community centers are serving as cooling centers during normal business hours, as well as providing utility assistance to those having difficulty paying their electric bills. Metro Detroiters can get respite from the dangerous temperatures, by visiting any of The Salvation Army’s locations. For assistance on finding the center nearest you, please visit SAmetrodetroit.org or call (248) 443-5500. To contribute and help keep families and individuals safe in your community, visit helpsalvationarmy.org

With the prospect of a tropical storm causing extensive rainfall along the Texas Gulf Coast, The Salvation Army Texas Division is preparing to respond to the affected areas, supporting first responders and affected families with food, hydration and needed supplies. Tropical storm warnings have been issued for parts of the Texas and Mexico coasts ahead of the disturbance, which is likely to become a tropical storm before tracking into Mexico. The storm is likely to impact the southeast part of the Lone Star state. Flooding rain, coastal flooding, rip currents and high surf will affect much of the western Gulf coast, from Texas to Mexico, with southeast Texas expected to get as much as a foot of rain. The Salvation Army has sent a liaison to Austin to monitor the situation closely. The major concern is flash flooding in an area extending from Brownsville up to Victoria. Units have been placed on standby as a clearer picture of the situation develops. To learn more and offer your support, visit disaster.salvationarmyusa.org

This year marks 140th year anniversary of the Lansing Capital Area Salvation Army in Lansing Michigan. It all began in 1884, when The Salvation Army came to downtown Lansing. According to news archives, the arrival caused quite a stir in nearby Mason. On May 8th, 1884, the headline on the front-page of the Ingham County News, read “The Salvation Army”. The article went on to say how after three Army officers were spotted and starting singing... “numerous persons crowded about them to learn something of the remarkable organization they represent.” To honor the anniversary, the organization is holding a series of events beginning in May and ending in late December. The celebration officially began May at Lansing City Hall, when Mayor Andy Schor read a proclamation declaring it Salvation Army Week. Other events include those to promote its history and honor donors and volunteers. You can also participate by donating online at SALansing.org. To learn about National Salvation Army Week, visit Salvation Army Usa .org

Students often let their reading skills slide in the summer, but not if The Salvation Army’s Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in Dayton, Ohio, has anything to say about it. The popular Read and Feed program is back this summer with seven Monday events scheduled at the city’s Stuart Patterson Park. Families can come together for a free lunch and book giveaway, and each week, a featured guest will read the spotlighted book. This year’s events are June 3, 10, 17, and 24, and July 8, 15, and 22. About 15 to 20 people came out for each Read and Feed day last year, including a growing number of immigrants from Turkey, Africa, and the Latino world. Representatives from the Dayton Fire Department will read Firefighters Are Heroes! and the Dayton Police Department plans to present We Don’t Eat Our Classmates, a book about bullying. For more information on the Ray & Joan Kroc Community Centers visit kroccenter.org

In the wake of the powerful storms and tornadoes that have severely impacted Denton, Collin, and Cooke counties in Texas, The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Service (EDS) team, has mobilized three mobile kitchens from Lewisville, Fort Worth, and Sherman and a Rapid Response Unit from Irving to provide critical support to the affected communities. The Salvation Army has established a presence in several areas affected by the storm. Each unit is equipped to deliver vital necessities such as food, water, and basic comforts directly to first responders and those in need within devastated areas. Trained personnel are also on hand to offer emotional and spiritual assistance, ensuring that survivors receive essential resources and comfort during this challenging time. When disaster strikes, The Salvation Army disaster personnel collaborate with federal, state, and local emergency management agencies to monitor ongoing impacts and adapt response efforts as necessary. For more information, visit disaster.salvationarmyusa.org.

Over 80 fatalities have been reported in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, with the number expected to rise. Almost 150,000 people have been displaced from their homes. The Guaíba river burst its banks in Porto Alegre, the state capital, flooding parts of the city and surrounding towns. As soon as the roads are clear, the Salvation Army’s canteen and donation truck will be heading to Porto Alegre from territorial headquarters in São Paulo, with water, non-perishable foods, and cleaning and personal hygiene items, which have been donated by the general public. Teams from The Salvation Army’s headquarters in the area have visited local surroundings to assess the devastation and need. Clothes, water, hygiene kits, cleaning supplies and food are being distributed to families experiencing difficulties. With further rain predicted, Salvation Army emergency volunteers will continue with their rapid response in flood-damaged areas, carrying out further needs assessments on the ground as they work, seeking to provide emotional and spiritual support to those affected. To learn more or offer your support visit https://www.sawso.org/

The Salvation Army along with partner agencies are fighting hunger in North Carolina with the initiative called, Bucket Brigade. This is a unique program for families to grow their own portable ‘Grow Buckets while learning how to grow vegetables themselves. This can even help families stretch their grocery budgets. From budding young planters to seasoned master gardeners, attendees learn both the basics and finer techniques to make their gardens grow. Many low-income households usually do not have a big yard to grow things, but they do have a patio or a front porch where they can place their buckets in the sunlight and keep the plants properly hydrated and tended. Everything is free for participants, thanks to a state grant given to The Salvation Army. Master gardeners are trained to do public outreach and to teach budding gardeners the basics. Also at these events, cooking demonstrations complete the food production cycle, deemed “From the ground to the table.”

For 10 years, The Salvation Army Canoga Park Adult Rehabilitation Center in California has leased a nearby garden plot and brought beneficiaries to cultivate, nurture and harvest crops as part of their rehabilitation journey. For the past decade, the Saturday morning practice of tending the garden for an hour and a half has supported beneficiaries’ recoveries. Weather permitting, a group of two to three men come to the garden weekly to plant seeds, pull weeds, water and eventually harvest crops. Providing an activity that many haven’t experienced since childhood can evoke a sense of nostalgia, transporting them back to a time before addiction. As they work outdoors, a Salvation Army pastor imparts lessons of the soil, drawing from biblical parables to support men in their journey through recovery. They emphasize the phrase “redeeming the dirt,” utilizing the garden to transform lives and foster a sense of giving back and doing good. Learn more about The Salvation Army’s Adult Rehabilitation Centers at SalvationArmyusa.org

From July to December of 2023, The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services team in London, Ontario., worked with other agencies to aid the vulnerable population. The initiative was created by the City of London, who called upon The Salvation Army to assist them. The program, Service Depots at Encampments, provided daily basic needs to people experiencing homelessness, living in unsheltered areas. Through this outreach, The Salvation Army provided hundreds of volunteer hours and delivered thousands of meals. The common feedback from individuals that were helped was that they were happy to be treated with respect. In total, the EDS team provided 76 days of service to this cause, not only providing meals and daily essentials but also raising awareness about homelessness in the city. In 2023, The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services across Canada provided more than 69,000 meals when disaster struck. Learn more at SALVATIONARMY.CA

The Salvation Army of Tallahassee, Florida spent the weekend serving their community following severe weather, including strong winds and tornados, that tore through the State Capital early last Friday morning. Parts of the city were heavily impacted by the storms, but the outlying areas of Leon County received major storm damages mostly due to the vast number of trees that were downed. As the storm passed through the Panhandle of Florida, upwards of 50% of customers were without power in Leon County alone. With that fact in mind, the Leon County Emergency Management contacted The Salvation Army late Friday night with the request to deploy the canteen beginning Saturday on a day-by-day basis. The Tallahassee Corps Canteen deployed Saturday and Sunday to the outlying portions of the County, serving hot meals alongside the County run Points of Distribution. The Canteen served over 600 meals, as approximately 900 households received cases of water and ice from the distribution points. The Salvation Army will continue to communicate and coordinate with emergency management officials and will serve those still without power into the beginning of the new week, on a day-to-day basis.

The Salvation Army of Columbus Georgia commemorated a significant milestone in its mission to alleviate homelessness with the groundbreaking ceremony for its new Center of Hope on March 25th. Designed to accommodate up to 17 families in need, the Center of Hope aims not only to provide shelter but also to empower individuals with the tools necessary to transcend the cycle of poverty. The project, nearly a decade in the making, signifies a profound commitment from The Salvation Army and its partners to address the escalating demand for assistance among homeless families in Columbus. According to data from 2022, approximately 15 families per week sought emergency shelter in the community, underscoring the urgent need for initiatives like the Center of Hope. As construction commences on the Center of Hope, The Salvation Army church in Columbus, alongside its advisory board and community partners, remains steadfast in its commitment to ushering in a new era of hope and opportunity for homeless families in Columbus and beyond.

After a local community kitchen was a victim of theft, The Salvation Army in Grand Falls, Newfoundland, stepped up to offer their support. A group of individuals broke into the church in which the Grand Falls Community Kitchen runs. They stole thousands of dollars worth of food and some cookware. Although not a part of The Salvation Army, the kitchen and the Army have a wonderful working relationship. Community and Family Services Director, Daniel Kelly, is frequently in contact with the kitchen as they donate surplus food to each other whenever they can. As soon as staff at The Salvation Army found out about the break-in, they did not hesitate to reach out and help. The Salvation Army stored excess food items the community kitchen received from donations after the theft. This not only helped the kitchen keep things well refrigerated, but it was also safe, away from another potential robbery. Thanks to the support of The Salvation Army and the community, the kitchen is back up and running normally.

Southern Oklahoma received a significant impact from one of the 25 tornadoes that swept through the state overnight on April 27th. Amidst the chaos and destruction, The Salvation Army quickly responded, arriving that Sunday evening to provide assistance. Assigned to serve the Marietta Oklahoma area, the Chickasha mobile feeding unit, led by Lt. Bobby McFarland and his team, not only provided food and hydration but also offered hope. Assessing the needs of the community, they encountered a Senior Complex where the storm left a major impact on some of the most vulnerable residents. Many seniors were traumatized by their inability to reach the nearby shelter due to mobility issues, leaving them feeling helpless. The Salvation Army provided assistance for replacement food to residents of the complex on Thursday morning. One of the residents, named Butch, said “The Salvation Army is Angels on wheels. You are truly a God send.” To support The Salvation Army’s continued efforts, visit helpsalvationarmy.org or visit disaster.salvationarmyusa.org

Over the past several days the State of Texas has seen increased severe weather with isolated tornados and flooding around the state. Governor Abbot has declared a state of emergency which releases state assets to help local jurisdictions if needed. The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services have activated to a level II (Escalated Response) as of Wednesday May 1st. As more supercell storms continue to make their way through Texas and the great plains, The Salvation Army continues to assess the needs of the affected communities. Based on current and anticipated road closures The Salvation Army is now planning a feeding operation in conjunction with the Southern Baptist Texas Convention at The Salvation Army Houston Area Command Warehouse. This offers better access to multiple locations and allows for expanding the service footprint into greater Houston as needed. The Salvation Army will continue to support first responders and the community with Food, snacks and hydration while offering emotional and spiritual care. If you would like to support The Salvation Army’s efforts, visit helpsalvationarmy.org

Since the pandemic, food banks operated by The Salvation Army have become an increasingly critical resource. Before the pandemic, The Salvation Army in Saskatchewan Canada provided food hampers to about 10 clients a day. Now, with the rise of food costs, they have been serving up to 25 per day. Once a month, regular clients come in to pick up a bag of groceries, a bag of meat, and a hamper filled with basics like pasta, canned soup, and tomato sauce. The food bank also supports up to 30 additional walk-in clients. In addition to food, they always ask their regular clients, ‘Is there anything else you need?’ Because the food banks also provide shampoo, deodorant, laundry soap, dish soap and so much more. Maria Kolbaba, a volunteer for The Salvation Army says “I really want to thank our donors for making this food bank possible,” she adds. “I hope they never get tired of helping us keep it open so we can continue serving our neighbors in need.”