The Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Division Pauses Weekly Activities
SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (March 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.
The Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Division continues to closely follow guidelines outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to ensure the health and safety of the public, as well as Salvation Army officers and employees, in light of the pandemic.
“We want to reiterate – that while The Salvation Army is taking these measures to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus, we know this is what’s best for the thousands of people who rely on our services every single day,” said Lt. Colonel John Turner, divisional commander for The Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Division. “We are here to help our most vulnerable citizens in any way we can. We know our clients will trust us and trust God that this short-term decision is what’s best for The Salvation Army in the long-run.”
In order to maintain the social distancing recommendations put forth by health professionals, each corps community center will offer pre-packaged food boxes for clients. In addition, depending on the location, clients will be asked to either enter the building one at a time – or a Salvation Army staff member will deliver a food package to a client waiting outside. Social workers will continue to assist clients, but limiting non-essential interaction via the phone or online.
For guests who attend weekly Sunday service at their local corps community center, The Salvation Army has created a livestream of the service at 11 a.m. on Sundays on the Royal Oak Salvation Army YouTube channel.
All Eastern Michigan Division corps community centers will be open during normal business hours. For a list of all centers operating in the Eastern Division, please visit The Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Division’s locations page.
Additional information about The Salvation Army’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak can be found at salmich.org/COVID19.
You can support The Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Division’s effort with the COVID-19 pandemic by:
- Texting COVID to 24365
- Visiting salmich.org
- Calling 877-SAL-MICH
- Sending a check made payable to The Salvation Army, to: 16130 Northland Dr., Southfield, MI 48075
About The Salvation Army
Founded by William and Catherine 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. Annually, these facilities provide more than 3.5 million meals and more than 852,000 nights of shelter for the homeless. The Salvation Army uses $.87 of every dollar raised to provide direct services to people in need each and every day of the year. For more information about The Salvation Army, please call 877-SAL-MICH, or visit us at salmich.org.
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