Never Miss a Chance to Do the Most Good

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Never Miss a Chance to Do the Most Good

Please enter your name, email and zip code below to sign up!

Doing the Most to Fight Poverty

Through programs that serve the body, mind and soul, The Salvation Army alleviates the symptoms of poverty, then works to address the root i

To keep our clients, staff, and volunteers safe, and in accordance with city and state guidelines, most programs and services at The Salvation Army Lake County Area Command are closed until further notice. Modified programs and services may still be available. Our Food Pantry is extending hours, opening Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM until further notice. For the most up-to-date information, please contact us at 219-838-0380 or find a location near you.

Click here to learn more about local and national Coronavirus (COVID-19) relief efforts.

46.7 million Americans live below the poverty line. 60 million more live one crisis away.

Sadly, children raised in poverty are 32% more likely to remain there than their more fortunate peers.

I want to help

I need help

The Salvation Army is active in every zip code in America to feed, shelter, assist and lift up the poor.

Poverty is so often the result of - and the catalyst for - chronic struggles with hunger, addiction, housing insecurity, mental illness, educational voids and various forms of abuse. These interconnected struggles continue year after year, and often span generations. That's why The Salvation Army works to meet the needs of the whole person through short and long-term assistance - first alleviating the symptoms of poverty and then addressing the root issues that cause it.

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The Salvation Army helps overcome poverty in our community through:

Homelessness Prevention & Emergency Assistance Programs

The Salvation Army provides emergency assistance to help with mortgage/rent, utility bills, clothing, medication bills, and other needs in order to keep families in their homes. For more information or support: contact us at 219-838-0380, find a location near you, or learn more online.

Pathway of Hope

A comprehensive case management system to help families identify barriers to self-sufficiency (unemployment, insecure housing, lack of job skills, lack of childcare, etc), Pathway of Hope also provides guidance on how to address these barriers, and connects families with community support organizations, and more.

Food Pantry

The Salvation Army hosts food pantries in the Lake County area. Items provided include shelf-stable pantry foods, breads, cereals, meat, and other household necessities. At The Salvation Army Hammond-Munster Corps Community Center, the Food Pantry is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. - Noon, as well as Tuesday and Thursday from 1 - 4 p.m. At The Salvation Army East Chicago Corps Community Center, the Food Pantry is open Monday - Thursday, between 9 - 11 a.m. The Salvation Army Gary-Merrillville Corps Community Center food pantry is open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Community Meals

The Salvation Army serves a free, nutritious meal Monday - Friday for whomever chooses to join us. On the first Friday of each month, you'll also have fresh vegetables from our community garden. Lunch is served between noon - 1 p.m. at The Salvation Army East Chicago Corps Community Center. The Salvation Army Hammond-Munster Corps Community Center provides nutritious meals for children before weekly youth programs. Supper Club is Wednesdays during the school year at 6 p.m. The Feast at The Salvation Army Gary-Merrillville Corps Community Center Tuesday night church includes dinner, worship and small group for Adults (discussion on various themes/Bible Study) & Youth (STEAM activities paired with Theme of Night).

How You and Your Family Can Help the Homeless

Homelessness is an issue plaguing cities and neighborhoods across the country. Here are some ideas for how to talk with your children about homelessness, how you can help fight poverty, and what you can do to make an impact in your community.

Spread the Word

Turn your passion into action. Share these facts with your friends and
followers to educate and inspire change.

Poverty impacts
the most vulnerable.

21% (15.5 million) of children under age 18 live in poverty.

10% (4.6 million) of seniors over age 65 live in poverty.

29% (4 million) of people with a disability live in poverty.

A donation to The Salvation Army provides safe, free shelter to someone living on the streets. Help those most in need.

Childhood poverty is an epidemic.

Among the 35 wealthiest countries in the world, the United States has the 2nd-highest child poverty rate. 1 out of every 5 children lives below the poverty line.

A donation to The Salvation Army feeds children in your community. Feed a child today.

Poverty is costly to society.

14.8% of Americans - and 21% of the nation's children - currently live in poverty.

Childhood poverty, alone, costs the United States $500 billion a year. (That's 4% of our nation's GDP.)

A donation to The Salvation Army helps keep families together and off the street. Break the cycle of poverty.

Give now. Change lives forever.

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