Serving Up Smiles
Fayette County – It has taken many years and a lot of hard work from volunteers to build up the Fayette County Salvation Army to what it is today, a Service Extension Unit that is committed to helping local residents in the community it serves.
The Salvation Army is a global organization, and its effectiveness lies in the understanding that the needs of each community are different. That is why it can serve large, bustling cities just as well as it can serve rural communities. In Fayette County, the focus is keeping The Salvation Army’s community center open and available as a central hub for the area.
“We realize the need for these services, and we are working hard to build up our involvement and presence in the community,” says local Service Extension Representative Tara Henry. Through the Lord’s Table soup kitchen, Tara and her team have been able to serve a meal that is open to the public every night. During an average month, they serve between 600 and 800 meals, a feat that could not be done without the help of volunteers and local donors.
Service to the community doesn’t end in the soup kitchen. Last year, The Salvation Army also purchased socks for the residents of the local nursing homes. In total, socks were hand-delivered to a total of 263 local seniors. Another project provided dozens of care packages containing scarves, gloves, and snacks for the area’s homeless as a way to help them fight against the cold of winter.
Christmas is an especially busy time of year. A brand new Angel Tree program ensured that last year 69 children had special presents under the tree, while more than 200 individuals received holiday food assistance and 300 coats were collected for local children.
No matter what Indiana County you live in, The Salvation Army is working hard to serve the needs of your community. Whether it’s helping with a utility bill, feeding the hungry, or making Christmas bright for families in need, we couldn’t provide this assistance without your generous support.