Donations in Action: Firefighters, business owners seek solace
"Donations in Action" is a regular series about the different ways The Salvation Army Northern Division and our supporters are serving people and families in Minnesota and North Dakota.
Below are examples of how our staff, volunteers, donors, and partners are making a positive impact during these uncertain times.
A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great. –Proverbs 18:16
Please join our fight by giving a donation. Your gift will provide emergency assistance for those who desperately need it.
Firefighters, business owners seek solace
The Salvation Army in South Minneapolis is located along East Lake Street, where rioting caused mass destruction in late May and early June.
This location has remained a place of solace not only for local residents, but for first responders and business owners. On one occasion, two firefighters came here after they’d been up all night searching for someone in a building that had burned down. We gave the firefighters food and water, and a Salvation Army officer (pastor) prayed with them. They were grateful for the support.
On another occasion, a local business owner came to the South Minneapolis Salvation Army food shelf after his business was burned and broken into; he’d lost everything. Our case worker gave him groceries and assured him that more food was available anytime he needed it. The man was moved to tears.
The Salvation Army is Here to Help individuals, families, and anyone else who is struggling to navigate these uncertain times. We continue to provide free groceries, hot meals, clothing, financial assistance, emotional and spiritual support, and other critical services at our operation centers in the Twin Cities, Greater Minnesota, and North Dakota.
Sharing the burden
A woman and her two adult daughters had reached their bottom. All three of them lived together, and all three had lost their jobs due to COVID-19. They’d been pooling their money to pay for food and rent, but their money had finally run out.
They came to their local Salvation Army for help. Our case worker gave them hygiene supplies and a week’s worth of food, and she helped them apply for rent assistance.
Although the family is still financially stressed, the daughters have been finding odd jobs to help keep them afloat.
“The mother said she’s lucky because she and her daughters live together, so they’re able to share the financial burden,” our case worker said. “They were grateful to The Salvation Army and our supporters for the food and hygiene supplies they received.”
Small gifts make big impact
A man stopped by his local Salvation Army in need of help paying for his prescription medication. He couldn’t afford the copay for three refills.
The man didn’t need $50, or $25, or even $10.
He needed $3.14.
“This does not sound like a lot of money,” his Salvation Army case worker said, “but for many people in our communities, even a few extra dollars is more than they can afford.”
This simple example goes to show that donations to The Salvation Army of any amount can be used to do large amounts of good.
Please join The Salvation Army in serving those affected by the COVID-19 crisis by giving a donation or signing up to volunteer. Your help will provide emergency assistance and hope for people and families in desperate need.
If you are feeling lonely, fearful or hopeless due to the COVID-19 crisis, call our Emotional and Spiritual Care Hotline at 877-220-4195 anytime between 8 a.m.–8 p.m. Central Time. Trained Salvation Army officers, employees and volunteers will be available to talk, listen to you, and pray for you.