Learn how The Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Division is addressing Coronavirus (COVID-19)

 

6/11/2020

• Shortly after the coronavirus broke out in the United States, countless organizations sprung into action to combat it. One of them was a Detroit-based business – but it isn’t a hospital or a social services center. Atlas Wholesale Food Company has been a provider of wholesale foods to metro Detroit restaurants since 1949. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the company decided to take action by applying for a contract to distribute food for the USDA Farmers to Families Program, a governmental effort to distribute fresh, nutritious food to individuals and families in need. Read more

6/1/2020

• The Salvation Army Southeast Michigan Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) will reopen its donation centers on Monday, June 1. Donations of gently used clothing, linens, household appliances, furniture, toys, shoes, purses and housewares will be accepted at select Salvation Army Family Thrift Store Donation Centers from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Read more

5/21/2020

• The Salvation Army will reopen Family Thrift Stores in four northern Michigan locations beginning Memorial Day, Monday, May 22. The stores have been closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic since March 16, 2020. Read more

5/18/2020

• The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit is looking for volunteers to write thank you notes that will be delivered with donuts to essential workers on the front lines on National Donut Day, Friday, June 5. Read more

5/11/2020

• Metro Detroit Has Gotten Through Tough Times Before - and We'll Get Through This, Too. Read the Op Ed from Colonel John Turner

5/6/2020

• To all of our Giving Tuesday contributors, The Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Division would like to say THANK YOU! Read more
• Today from noon to 3 p.m., The Salvation Army Farmington Hills Corps Community Center will distribute 1,000 food boxes that will help feed families in need impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. Volunteers will hand out prepackaged food boxes via a drive-thru distribution system at the Corps Community Center in Farmington Hills. Read more

5/1/2020

• A coalition of Clergy, Legislative, Judiciary and Local Government invites Michiganders to a statewide moment of silence titled Light Up for Life that will take place on Friday, May 1, 2020 at 9pm. Light Up for Life will honor those who have lost the battle versus COVID-19, those who are in isolation still fighting, and those who are on the frontline every day. Michiganders are encouraged to go to their porch, turn on their lights and join their neighbors in unity for 3 minutes during this statewide moment of reflection and prayer for all in unity. During Light Up for Life, you are encouraged to live stream, share photos or tweets and use the hashtags #LightUpForLife19, #LightUpTheState and our Salvation Army hashtag “#FightForGood.” 

4/29/2020

• The Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Division will participate in #GivingTuesdayNow, a new global day of giving and unity taking place on Tuesday, May 5 as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. All donations, up to $25,000, to the nonprofit social services agency will be matched, dollar-for-dollar, thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor. Read more

4/17/2020

• All donations made to support The Salvation Army of Bay City’s COVID-19 relief efforts will be matched, dollar-for-dollar up to $15,000 due to the generosity of an anonymous donor. Read more 
• The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit will distribute 6,000 food boxes that will help feed families in need impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. Volunteers will hand out prepackaged food boxes via a drive-thru distribution system at The Salvation Army's locations in Pontiac, Warren, Southfield, and two locations in Detroit. Learn more

4/15/2020

• The Salvation Army of Wyandotte signs on to serve lunch to medical staff implementing drive-through testing for COVID-19 at Sam's Club in Southgate. Read more

4/14/2020

• In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Salvation Army Central Territory has introduced an Emotional and Spiritual Care Hotline. The hotline, available by calling 1-877-220-4195, operates seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Central Time. Read more

4/9/2020

• Many Corps Community Centers in the Eastern Michigan Division will be live streaming their Easter Services, including Royal Oak, Monroe, and Flint Citadel. Dearborn Heights will be hosting a Drive In Church service for their community.

3/30/2020

• All donations made to support The Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Division's COVID-19 relief efforts will be matched, dollar-for-dollar up to $125,000, due to the generosity of an anonymous donor. Thanks to all of our supporters through Eastern Michigan who generously contributed, the entire match has now been fulfilled.

3/27/2020

• The Salvation Army is looking for volunteers to pack food boxes in Taylor, MI. Volunteers will work in groups of 10 in four-hour shifts. Safety precautions will be in place in compliance with social distancing guidelines. Volunteers are needed Monday, March 30 through Friday, April 3. In our efforts to prioritize safety, we cannot allow those who have flown domestically or internationally in the last 14 days to volunteer. For more information or to sign up, please contact Barb Pilat at Phone: 248-996-5051 or via email at Barbara.Pilat@usc.salvationarmy.org
   
• Safety Description:
• You will be guided in by a parking lot greeter.
• Enter the building and sanitize your hands and answer a series of health questions. 
• You will be provided PPE (gloves and shoe covers).
• When all volunteers have arrived for the shift, Captain Karl Blessing will provide a 5-minute message (thank you, did you sign the waiver, ensure everyone has PPEs).
• Water and snacks will be provided, but please bring your own water and snacks. Dress warmly and wear warm shoes. You will work inside a warehouse.

3/25/2020

• An anonymous donor has offered to match up to $125,000 for COVID-19 relief efforts, meaning your donation will make twice as much of a difference in the lives of individuals and families who already struggle to afford the basics, let alone additional supplies and medical expenses. Our hearts go out to you and your loved ones affected by this pandemic, and our prayers go out to you and your family during this time of uncertainty. We hope you will join us in praying for the health & safety of all our neighbors.

3/23/2020

• The Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Division is in desperate need of essential cleaning supplies, as well as personal protection equipment. Supplies are on the way, thanks to our corporate partners, but we need your help now.

A small act of kindness can make a big impact in your community! We are in need of the following:

• Hand soap
• Nitrile gloves
• Paper towels
• Sanitizing wipes
• Toilet paper
• Hand sanitizer
• Clam shells (disposable food boxes)
• Thermometers

Supplies can be dropped off at any of our Corps Community Centers and will be used to support our shelter residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Donations, big or small, will not be turned away at your local Corps Community Center. We are also in great need of volunteers to help distribute supplies to everyone who comes to their local Corps Community Center for help. Let’s help our neighbors in need because we’re all in this together. Read more

3/20/2020 

• Having trouble discussing COVID-19 with our kids? Read our guide

3/18/2020

• Effective immediately, The Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Division is pausing all weekly activities and worship programs at its corps community centers. Social services such as food and utility assistance, along with emergency disaster services, are still available and will continue to serve people in need with limited person-to-person interaction. This policy is in effect until March 31. Read more

3/16/2020

• The Salvation Army will temporarily close Family Thrift Store locations effective immediately. This includes temporary cancellation of residential pick-ups and donation drop-offs. All social services offices will continue to provide services. 
   
• The Salvation Army Family Thrift Stores are closely following recommendations set forth by Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and will reopen at a later date once the safety of everyone is no longer at risk.

3/14/2020

• Beginning this evening, National Headquarters will maintain a landing page at https://salarmy.us/COVID-19 with relevant updates, and local and national service information. 

3/13/2020 

• Governor Whitmer has announced the statewide closing of all K-12 school buildings, public, private and boarding, in the state of Michigan from Monday, March 16 through Sunday, April 5.  It is anticipated that schools will reopen on Monday, April 6.  With that announcement, and in keeping with the intent and hopeful of the desired outcome, all Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Corps Community Centers will suspend Corps Community Center activity and After School Programming for the duration of the statewide school closings.
   
• In response to the growing needs of the community impacted by COVID-19, the City of Detroit has requested the use of The Salvation Army Detroit Harbor Light's Ellen Thompson Center, located at 3737 Humboldt, to use as a Emergency Quarantine Center.  The current residents (women and children) are being relocated to the main building on the campus at this time to allow for the isolation needed for the Quarantine Center. The Salvation Army is prepared to assist and will relinquish the facility to the City today, Friday, March 13, 2020.
• 3/14/2020 UPDATE - As community needs are being defined and assessed by the hour, the city of Detroit has found a different space that is more suitable to their needs.

3/12/2020

The Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Division is working closely with state agencies to address the COVID-19 outbreak. We are consistently providing updates to the Federal Emergency Management Agency on our National Preparedness & Response status. Across the country, trained Salvation Army Emergency Response staff are on standby to assist if requested. 

Ensuring the safety of those who depend on The Salvation Army’s programs and services, along with the safety of staff and volunteers, is of utmost priority. We are closely tracking progress through the Center for Disease Control reporting and distributing prevention guidance to all staff, employees, volunteers, and program participants on proper hygiene and prevention.

• The Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Division is currently preparing for the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, closely following guidelines issued from government officials.

• During this time, The Salvation Army will focus on providing food to the underserved and vulnerable population of metro Detroit. We are currently in the process of creating food boxes containing non-perishable boxed and canned goods that will feed a family of six.

• The Salvation Army Bed & Bread trucks, which travel along the streets of Detroit 365 days a year, are currently preparing to serve additional meals to those who come to the truck.

• The kitchen located inside The Salvation Army Harbor Light in Detroit is currently closed to outside volunteers to limit public exposure for food safety reasons; however, the staff will continue to prepare meals that are currently served in the Harbor Light shelter, as well as the Bed & Bread trucks.

• The Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Divisional headquarters is working with its corps community centers to minimize public interaction regarding its food pantries and emergency assistance. Whenever possible, food will be prepackaged. Additionally, corps community centers’ social workers will continue to assist clients, but limiting non-essential interaction via the phone or online.

• The Salvation Army has increased its cleaning efforts at all its facilities, including our shelters and kitchens. Our staff is regularly cleaning and disinfecting in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

• The Salvation Army deeply cares for our all staff, employees, volunteers and program participants. We are distributing prevention guidance on proper hygiene and prevention.

• The Salvation Army would like to remind everyone that the preventative measures put in place are to ensure everyone’s safety, health and wellbeing.

• The Salvation Army remains in constant communication with local officials and will work in close partnership to prepare and respond to meet the needs of metro Detroiters.

• The Salvation Army has been serving metro Detroit since 1887 and will continue to do so in His name without discrimination.

       For more information about COVID-19 and how to prevent it, visit the CDC website.

 

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