National Salvation Army Week 2022
The 69th National Salvation Army Week was celebrated in a wide variety of ways across the United States May 9-15, 2022, including many special activities in communities across Indiana. National Salvation Army Week was first declared in 1954 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who stated that, "Among Americans, The Salvation Army has long been a symbol of wholehearted dedication to the cause of brotherhood."
Here's just a sampling of how The Salvation Army made National Salvation Army Week special for Hoosiers across the state:
Bedford: The Salvation Army hosted the Indiana Division Women’s Retreat at Hidden Falls Camp in Bedford, Indiana, May 13-15. This was the first in-person retreat since the start of the pandemic in March of 2020. Looking towards the future, this year’s theme was ‘Hope for the World’.
Henry County: The Salvation Army partnered with its local New Castle post office to host a food drive on May 14, as part of the ‘Stamp Out Hunger’ campaign. Residents placed boxes of nonperishable foods beside their mailbox to be picked up by their mail carrier. In total, The Salvation Army received 43 large totes of food!
Indianapolis: The Salvation Army of Central Indiana hosted its annual Golf 4 Kids outing at Brickyard Crossing Golf Course on May 11, raising over $50,000 for Hidden Falls Camp, in Bedford, IN. This is the equivalent of sending more than 100 kids to summer camp! In addition to this event, The Salvation Army visited the Barrington of Carmel, on May 13, to serve coffee and donuts to their residents, as a celebration to wrap up the week-long observance.
Johnson County: The Salvation Army joined efforts with the Interchurch Food Pantry of Johnson County, donating nearly 3,000 pounds of nonperishables to the pantry on May 9. The Interchurch Food Pantry’s distribution hours are Monday-Friday, 12:00-3:00 pm, and the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month from 9:00-11:00 am.
Lafayette: On May 11, The Salvation Army received an overwhelming response to an open house event, hosted to kick off its celebration of National Salvation Army Week. The event allowed the community to tour the corps while enjoying refreshments with the staff.
New Albany: The Salvation Army of Southern Indiana’s Bed & Bread Club hosted a ‘Bed & Bread Gala’ on May 12. This evening of delicious food and catchy music raised funds to assist in providing food and housing support to families throughout southern Indiana.
Warsaw: The Salvation Army delivered gifts to first responders in their communities. The items were gifted in hopes to encourage the individuals who put their life on the line to keep our communities safe.
In 2021, The Salvation Army provided Hoosiers with nearly 1.5 million meals, more than 120,000 nights of safe shelter, and basic social services to more than 300,000 individuals. Though we have concluded National Salvation Army Week, we continue to thank all volunteers, donors, organizations, and businesses across Indiana that helped to make these services possible.
To learn more about The Salvation Army's work in Indiana, visit SalvationArmyIndiana.org and follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/SalvationArmyIndiana. Find photos of events and happenings through the Indiana Division online at Flickr.com/SalvationArmyIndiana.