The Salvation Army of Bay City Launches $3 Million Capital Campaign
Project will include new community center, soup kitchen and expanded social services area
BAY CITY, Mich., – The Salvation Army of Bay City announced on Feb. 16, the launch of a $3 million capital campaign to rebuild its community center to include a barrier free soup kitchen and expanded social services area.
The campaign aims to raise enough money to rebuild its Bay City Corps Community Center at the current site at 401 Tenth St. in Bay City.
“The need for the critical services provided by The Salvation Army in Bay City, such as food and shelter has risen 20 percent in the last year,” said Major Micheal Myers, commanding officer for The Salvation Army of Bay City. “Our current facility is under-equipped to meet this increased need.”
A main focus of the project is a new dining area which will provide enough space to seat 96 people, more than doubling the space of the current dining room. During busier months, the auditorium will be used to seat an additional 128 people.
The new institutional kitchen will allow for large meals to be prepared and more space for volunteer cooks and pot washers to work side-by-side. The new pantry and walk-in freezer will provide enough room to accept and store donated and purchased food items.
Also included in the project are four adult learning classrooms, accessibility for seniors and the disabled, better lighting, a client friendly foyer and 21 additional parking spots.
“We are turning to the community to help us better meet the mounting needs we see all around us in Bay City,” said Myers. “With your help we can meet our $3 million goal and enhance the quality of services offered to residents in need.”
Donations are welcome at the Bay City Corps Community Center located at 401 Tenth St., Bay City, MI 48708. With the community’s help, The Salvation Army of Bay City has served 16,017 meals through the soup kitchen and provided assistance to 7,282 individuals in 2008. For more information, please call (989) 893-3041.
The Salvation Army provides the community with social services that include food boxes, counseling, utilities and prescription assistance, seasonal assistance, summer and day camps and winter clothing for children. Four days per week, a crew of volunteers helps prepare and serve hot meals to individuals and families in need.
Founded by William Booth in London, England in 1865, The Salvation Army is a faith-based, non-profit organization dedicated to serving people in need without discrimination. At work in Michigan since 1887, The Salvation Army operates 180 facilities throughout the state. In 2007, these facilities were involved in providing more than 7.8 million meals and 1,270,314 nights of shelter for the homeless of Michigan. The Salvation Army uses $.83 of every dollar raised to provide direct services to people in need each and every day of the year.