Making a Difference in the Midwest During COVID-19, May 18
In his 1954 proclamation recognizing National Salvation Army Week, President Dwight D. Eisenhower wrote:
“Among Americans, The Salvation Army has long been a symbol of wholehearted dedication to the cause of human brotherhood … In the quieter days of peace, their work has been a constant reminder to us all that each of us is neighbor and kin to all Americans. Giving freely of themselves, the men and women of The Salvation Army have won the respect of us all.”
During National Salvation Army Week May 11-17, 2020, we worked to live up to President Eisenhower’s words.
Where’s Lightfoot?
Perhaps you have seen the memes appear in your social feed. A stern-looking Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot appears in front of a variety of Chicago landmarks. Sometimes she is shown front and center, while other times she is hiding in the photo. Always there is a reminder in the caption that the mayor wants you to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and “Stay home, save lives.”
The Chicago Temple Corps has no need to add to this meme library, because they have the real Mayor Lori Lightfoot helping to distribute food boxes to Chicagoans in need. Chicago’s First Lady Amy Eshleman volunteered with the Temple Corps and found the experience so rewarding that the Mayor joined Eshleman on her next visit. After her day volunteering, Mayor Lightfoot remarked, “From the bottom of my heart, thank you to the staff and volunteers of The Salvation Army Chicago Metropolitan Division for all you continue to do to support our city in difficult times.”
Call Out the Troops
Through its Emergency Disaster Services program, The Salvation Army has developed strong relationships with Armed Forces, Reserves and National Guard troops. This past week, that partnership continued as Indiana National Guard members helped to pack 5,000 food boxes for distribution across Indiana. The Missouri National Guard did likewise and helped to pack and ready food and supply boxes for distribution to those in need.
A Flood of Help and Hope
As a federally recognized Emergency Service Response agency, The Salvation Army works with FEMA to provide aid to those in need – wherever they may be located. This past week, the EDS training center in Indianapolis assembled two pallets of “flood kits” which contain a bucket, mops, bleach, gloves and other cleaning supplies. The kits will be distributed to members of the Navajo Nation, which is the largest American Indian tribe in the United States, spanning 27,000 square miles in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah and home to 357,000 residents. They are also the region hardest hit by COVID-19 west of New York with more than 3,400 confirmed cases and 119 related deaths. The flood kits provide supplies for tribal members to clean and sanitize their homes, helping to prevent further spread of the virus. While we may be members of many different communities, we are one Army helping people in need.
Stress and Taxes
While most of us know about The Salvation Army food pantries, there are other services the Army offers which are equally important but less well recognized. An elderly couple living in our Northern Division recently benefitted from one of these programs.
The couple had just spent the last of their savings to repair their car. Family members who had lost their jobs had also just moved in with the couple, which added to their stress. The couple now had more mouths to feed and no money to pay their property taxes. They came to The Salvation Army for assistance. The Army is now supplying the family with food and provided funds to pay a portion of the couple’s property taxes.
The Salvation Army has programs which can help families in financial distress to pay utility bills, provide housing assistance and, in this case, lend a hand with property taxes.
We hope that you will join us as we continue to treat all Americans like they are our neighbors and kin.