Staying Connected Across Southern Indiana: Serving Our Communities Through the Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic is hard on all of us. However, it is possible to see the positive light in your community despite the struggles of the pandemic. The Salvation Army is proud to serve communities of generous individuals who are using their gifts to lift others up during these uncertain times.
The Salvation Army Bloomington has seen great support from the community through financial donations to assist in serving those who are struggling during the pandemic. Both individuals who are already associated with The Salvation Army, such as board members, and new donors have contributed financially to the relief efforts of the Bloomington Corps.
“People are responding and want to help. The community itself is very supportive,” Captain Gordon Hoag said.
Thanks to these generous individuals, the Bloomington corps is able to continue providing for the struggling in their community through their food pantry efforts, while still maintaining safe practices such as social distancing.
Like many of our corps, The Salvation Army Columbus Indiana relies on the dedication of our hardworking volunteers to help them serve the community. In the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak, our volunteers are still stepping forward and helping to strengthen our efforts to serve those in need. For example, volunteer Jeff Wasson wanted to help the corps at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic as they tried to provide basic needs to the community. By reaching out a local company, Jeff was able to obtain a donation of toilet paper for the corps.
In Brown County, The Salvation Army works with multiple members of the community who are using their gifts to serve both in and out of the corps. Loretta Hayes, a member of the Brown County Corps community, runs an online clothing boutique called Mulberry Cottage. In order to support the community during the COVID-19 outbreak, Loretta offered a deal for shoppers by gifting a free homemade face mask with all online orders.
Rebecca Smith, who leads the Brown County Corps Women’s Ministries, is also spreading the love by using her art skills to hang signs in her yard with positive messages to encourage the community during these difficult times. She typically uses her craftiness to fashion posters for the women’s group and yard signs for the holidays, and now she is using it to spread joy and positivity in the community.