The Business of Caring - Ameren Illinois
The Salvation Army of Peoria is proud to be the recipient of Ameren Illinois' $10,000 grant which is dedicated to supporting our local Homeless Services & Shelter Programs. The grant funds were awarded through the Ameren Cares program, which connects Ameren Illinois with the communities it serves through charitable giving and volunteering.
“We are so grateful for Ameren’s support of our services for the homeless in our community. Their generous donation will enable us to continue our work with those who need us most and make an impact on the many people who are struggling and feel hopeless,” said Major Jesse Collins, Tri-County Commander for The Salvation Army.
Throughout the past year, The Salvation Army has seen an increase in the need for assistance services and this need is projected to continue increasing with ongoing COVID-19 impacts. The funds provided by Ameren Illinois will directly serve Peoria's local homeless men and families who have nowhere else to turn. This generosity has been seen among countless community members who are joining the Fight For Good in the hopes of helping all of our neighbors in need.
It costs approximately $1,750 per day to provide all of the men in our homeless shelter with lodging, three meals, personal hygiene supplies, and vital case management services that aim to help them take the steps needed to directly address their life challenges and break free from the cycle of poverty.
The Salvation Army is also providing life-changing services to local families seeking a safe place to stay and recover from whatever issues they may be facing. It costs nearly $1,000 per day to provide all of the families in our shelter with lodging, three meals, personal hygiene items and case management services.
Major Collins continued, “To give you an idea of the impact Ameren’s gift will have: 70 men will have food, shelter and support for one week because Ameren cares about the people in their community. Through Ameren’s generosity, we can make a real difference in these men’s lives as they seek not just shelter and food but a way out of living on the streets.”
A more personal note that illustrates the change these services create in Peoria's communities can be found in any one of the stories from those who have used The Salvation Army's programs to find a brighter path in life. With supporters like Ameren Illinois, these stories are shared with The Salvation Army everyday because our services continue to Do the Most Good thanks to them. Here is just one look at a recent success that our mission was blessed to be a part of:
"Moving from shelter to shelter is no child’s dream. But for a young two-year-old boy, shelters were all that he knew when he and his mother and father arrived at The Salvation Army searching for a warm bed and hot meal. The family was unable to make any progress at past shelters and arrived at The Salvation Army with no job, and no savings account. The young boy’s mother was paired with a case manager who helped her land her first job and set up her very first bank account…something that was a huge accomplishment, considering the mother had never walked in the doors of a bank before."
Watch more from those who have been touched by The Salvation Army's mission here in Peoria below: