The Salvation Army Metropolitan Division Responds to COVID-19
A Long History of Helping
The Salvation Army, and especially our Emergency Disaster Services (EDS), has been responding to crises from a local to a national scale for more than 100 years. In the face of storms, terror attacks, fires, shootings, and other disasters, we have been a constant presence offering a cup of water, a meal, an encouraging word, and a valuable guide in navigating the path forward. With these many years of experience, we are uniquely qualified to offer help and hope as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds.
We already have a presence in every zip code in the U.S., where we offer food, shelter, clothing, education, rehabilitation, emergency assistance, and countless other services to assist our neighbors in need. We are already in the communities impacted by the novel coronavirus and we offer a rich continuum of care that will not stop now.
Poised and Ready to Provide
Across the country and in your neighborhood, trained Salvation Army Emergency Response staff are on standby to assist if requested. For weeks, our EDS team has been supporting Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public health officers by providing snacks and hydration at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, providing as many as 3,000 snacks and bottles of water this past weekend alone. And we are prepared to support the City of Chicago as needed.
Ensuring the safety of those who depend on The Salvation Army’s programs and services, along with the safety of staff and volunteers, is of utmost priority. Out of dedication to the safety of our staff, volunteers, donors, and clients, and in compliance with the State of Illinois’ policy against large gatherings in an effort to decrease the spread of COVID-19, we have cancelled many large gatherings and conferences, and are constantly adjusting our services to vulnerable populations in order to ensure their safety.
As we closely track the latest developments through the Center for Disease Control reporting, we distribute prevention guidance to all staff, employees, volunteers, and program participants on proper hygiene and prevention.
Committed to Long-Term Support
The Salvation Army is prepared to offer long-term support to affected individuals as needed, including emergency assistance with rent and utility payments for workers who have lost wages or employment due to COVID-19 closures and cancellations. Army staff will also be available to offer emotional and spiritual care, as we always are.
As the situation evolves, we will work closely with government agencies and local partners to meet the needs of the more than 1 million individuals we serve throughout greater Chicagoland, northern Illinois, and northwest Indiana. No matter the situation, we remain committed to Do the Most Good.
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Donate to Our COVID-19 Response Fundraise for Good
For tax purposes: The Salvation Army Metropolitan Division EIN is 36-2167910.