Salvation Army to Temporarily Close Thrift Stores
ROSEVILLE, Minn – In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Twin Cities Salvation Army is taking additional steps to help mitigate the spread of the virus among its clients, staff and volunteers. Effective Monday, March 23, The Salvation Army Family Stores in outstate Minnesota and in North Dakota will temporarily close. This effort follows other steps taken previously that suspended group gatherings at their service centers, in order to prevent possible virus transmission.
“We’re taking these steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 among our clients, many of whom we consider to be particularly vulnerable,” said Lt. Colonel Lonneal Richardson, commander of The Salvation Army Northern Division. “At the same time, programs centered on food distribution, housing and emergency assistance will continue to provide help to those most in need.”
The Family Stores that are temporarily closing are:
- Albert Lea, MN
- Austin, MN
- Brainerd, MN
- Cloquet, MN
- Duluth, MN
- Fairmont, MN
- Faribault, MN
- Fergus Falls, MN
- Grand Rapids, MN
- Henning, MN
- Mankato, MN
- Morris, MN
- Owatonna, MN
- Red Wing, MN
- Grand Forks, ND
- Jamestown, ND
- Minot, ND
- Williston, ND
The Salvation Army expects more people will need help as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, and they are gearing up food, housing and emergency service programs for an expected increase. Businesses and individuals can help by donating non-perishable food, bread, paper products like paper towels and toilet paper, and sanitizing products. Contact your local Salvation Army Corps Community service center for information or to schedule a delivery.
“The Family Stores are an important source of financial support for our many programs, but we felt closing them now was necessary and important to protect both clients and staff,” said Colonel Richardson. “Regardless, The Salvation Army stands ready to serve as many people as possible, in the safest way possible, now and well into the future.” To help support your local Salvation Army’s efforts, visit http://www.salvationarmynorth.org/ to donate or for more information.
Interviews with your local Salvation Army corps leaders are available; please contact Dan Furry at 651-746-3572 or dan.furry@usc.salvationarmy.org.
The Salvation Army Northern Division serves 324,000 people a year throughout Minnesota and North Dakota by providing food, shelter, disaster response and other critical services, meeting human needs without discrimination. Support The Salvation Army in #DoingTheMostGood.