Salvation Army Today The Salvation Army Soundcast

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.”
 

Asbury University recently hosted their second annual Camp Hiring Fair. Camp directors and leaders from over 25 Salvation Army camps arrived on campus, each hoping to recruit young people to work at their camp this summer.
 
Camp directors pulled out all the stops to attract capable and energetic summer employees. This unique hiring fair not only showcased the diverse opportunities available across Salvation Army camps, but also emphasized the significance of faith in the camp experience.
 
The camp directors and leaders emphasized to the students visiting their booths that working at camp will provide opportunity for building a variety of skills in a unique environment. Learning how to problem solve, work on a team, be held accountable, and how to interact with people of different backgrounds are all valuable skills to be gained from the camp experience.
 
The camp fair not only exemplified the beautiful relationship between Asbury University and The Salvation Army, but fully showcased the profound impact a camp experience can have on both campers and staff.

As the 2024 Hurricane Season quickly approaches, Emergency Disaster Services professionals from The Salvation Army took part in a week-long territorial training intended to enhance their knowledge and overall service capabilities.
 
Partner agencies, including FEMA and Send Relief also participated with presentations on updates to the FEMA Individual Assistance Programs and Disaster Case. Salvation Army Communications and Disaster Services specialists participated in a joint session on best practices to tell stories of relief work and survivors highlighting the humanity behind disaster work. 
 
Salvation Army teams from the Southern and Eastern Territories jointly presented on Emotional and Spiritual Care and the importance of caring for one’s own mental health with as much intent as we care for others.
 
Another highlight of the week was the unveiling of a new custom bunkhouse trailer donated by Embassy Specialty Vehicles. The new bunkhouse provides housing for 12 people and will be positioned in Tampa, FL, ready to be deployed wherever needed. 
 
Learn more at Disaster.salvationarmyusa.org

Staff and volunteers from The Salvation Army joined community partners to dedicate two rebuilt homes in Port Isabel that were previously destroyed by a tornado.
 
Homes and businesses in Cameron County, in South Texas, experienced considerable damage when a powerful storm struck in May of 2023.
 
Working closely with other community partners, The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services team coordinated the construction of the homes. Funds were secured from the county and The Salvation Army in order to rebuild two houses and complete significant repairs to seven additional homes.
 
Volunteers from the Port Isabel Service Unit were among the first to respond to the immediate impact of the tornado. They worked tirelessly to coordinate meals and emergency assistance for several days, and later helped secure and finance hotel rooms for 22 families displaced by the storm.
 
For more information on The Salvation Army’s current disaster response efforts go to www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org.

A new canteen truck staffed by trained Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services responders from the Massachusetts Division entered into service in time for the 128th Boston Marathon on Monday, April 15ththanks to the donation of a generous donor.
 
The Salvation Army’s new custom canteen truck took 18 months to build and arrive. It was made possible by a $150,000 donation in 2022 by Dan Flatley, a Boston-based philanthropist and trustee of the Flatley Foundation.
 
During the 128th running of the Boston Marathon, more than 60 Salvation Army staff and volunteers were stationed at 6 canteens along the 26.2-mile route. The Salvation Army teams served over 2000 meals, 2500 snacks, and 3000 drinks to first responders and volunteers between Hopkinton and Boston.
 
The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services has served thousands of first responders and survivors of many local disasters in the City of Boston since the official dedication of its first mobile emergency response canteen on March 25th, 1922.
 
In the truck’s first eight years, The Salvation Army’s red emergency “canteen” truck responded to more than 500 emergency calls from the Boston Fire Department to distribute food and hydration to Boston’s firefighters. For more information visit SalvationArmyMA.org/EDS.

Two years after Hurricane Ian ravaged coastal Southwest Florida’s Port Charlotte Community, The Salvation Army of Port Charlotte celebrated National Volunteer Month. Their new mobile canteen was launched at the same time as they celebrated their army of volunteers in Charlotte and DeSoto counties. A grant from the Charlotte Community Foundation helped make the purchase possible.
 
Debuting the new mobile canteen during national volunteer month not only showcases the organization's commitment to serving the community, but it also highlights the importance of volunteers in disaster response and recovery efforts. The canteen will enable The Salvation Army to provide essential food and resources to those in need more efficiently.
 
The canteen is a symbol of hope and strength, showing those in need that The Salvation Army is always there for them. It will also provide a platform for volunteers to serve their community, restoring normalcy after a disaster.
 
Learn more at https://disaster.salvationarmyusa.org/