Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response and updates

(Updated 2-18-21)

COVID-19 Response and Updates 

GENERAL COMMUNITY, LOCAL, STATE AND GLOBAL INFORMATION from partner resources are listed (bottom of page)

The Salvation Army believes that no one should have to go without basic supplies and we are committed to expand the possibilities how we can serve through our community partnerships. As we begin a new year, we pray for #NewHope. New hope is only possible with continued financial support with donations which allows us to sustain supplies and maximize our deep cleaning to maintain a healthy and safe environment to serve in. 

The Salvation Army is open and serving those in need. We were declared an Essential Community Resource during the Stay-At-Home decision for the City of Wichita and Sedgwick County. We will continue to practice social distancing for the safety and health of our staff, volunteers and clients we serve.

Current Updates:

2-18-21
Now more than ever, community looks forward to the availability and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. We are pleased to share a "What, When, Where" FAQ information from the Kansas Health Foundation. Click here to download in English and Spanish. 

2-8-21 

The Salvation Army stands at the front line providing essential assistance for persons in need. This is never more important than during a time of crisis like the current COVID-19 pandemic. Designated funding has been provided for each unit in the Kansas and Western Missouri Division for COVID-19 response. Our goal is to complete this process as quickly as possible. CLICK HERE to connect directly with Koch Center (Downtown area) or identify a neighborhood Corps Community Center near you, to immediately talk to an Emergency Assistance Team member.   

6/15/20
The Salvation Army is moving forward as we all work through the pandemic evolution. Community is still in significant need. As communities open and families find their budgets struggling to pay reactivated utility and housing payments, The Salvation Army is here to help.  Keep in mind, the majority of our referrals to our partners in the community are closed or seeing people by appointment only. This includes the Dept. of Motor Vehicles (DMV), though they now are scheduling appointments only.

NOTE: As of (6/15)
1) Our main lobby in the Downtown Koch Center (350 N Market) is open to public. Regular hours 8:30am to 4:30pm.
2) Our Emergency Social Services (ESS) offices are open on a MWF schedule.
Monday & Friday, 10:00am - Noon and 1:30pm - 4:30pm
Wednesday 10:00am - Noon
Tuesday & Thursdays 10:00am-2:00pm

Hours at our Corps Community Centers may vary: 
- SE Metro: Citadel (1739 S Elpyco) 316-685-8699 (M-F 10:00am - 3:00pm)
- SW Metro: West Orchard (1910 S Everett) 316-943-9893 (M-F 10:00am-Noon, 1:00pm-4:00pm)

The Salvation Army's essential services from our Emergency Social Services and Homeless Services Shelter lodge continues to serve those impacted by COVID-19. From March 2020 through January 2021 alone, we have served more than double and tripling community needs

Emergency Social Services served:
Utilities: 508 Households  1,620 Individuals
Food boxes: 1,841 Households  5,678 Individuals
 - Total food boxes in 2020 helped 3,706 households and 11,436 Individuals
Hygiene basic needs: 981 Households  2,943
Homeless food bags: 603 Households

Homeless Shelter served:
1707  Nights of Lodging
2,615 Meals

 
4/29/20

To help address the economic impact resulting from the recent coronavirus pandemic in South Central Kansas, The Salvation Army in Wichita Metro and Sedgwick County held a special massive Community Food Distribution, Wednesday April 29, 2020. 

We distributed food items to 620 families, serving 2,489 people to help decrease the struggle from these challenging times.

This special distribution was solely devoted to support any family in our service area who had their income or employment impacted by COVID-19. No identification or verification was needed for this drive through vehicle-only distribution.  Community could get in line, drive up curbside and pick up their allocated boxed and bagged food and meats until supplies were depleted.

Food products were provided by the regional Kansas Food Bank a week earlier. Our Director of Emergency and Disaster Social Services Jill Skaggs, who coordinated the distribution shared, “We know families are in need of food during this challenging time and we are happy to do our part to help our community.”

If there were residents who didn't get served or were available with a vehicle to receive food items, you are welcome to call our office during business hours at 263-2769 to schedule an appointment in our Food Pantry. The pantry is open Tuesday or Thursday, 10am to 2:00pm.

“We have been serving in Wichita for over 130 years, and we will continue to do what we can, in the best way we know how… where there is a need…The Salvation Army will be there. Today we are providing food for our neighbors who are experiencing food insecurity”, stated Wichita City Commander, Major James Curl. 

- Last year (March 2020), we partnered with Sinclair Broadcast Group (FOX-KANSAS) for their nationwide "Sinclair Cares: Your Neighbor Needs You" initiative. The event helped raise donations for those who have been financially affected by the COVID-19 crisis. Viewers are encouraged to contact The Salvation Army to put forth a neighbor in need, or ask us for personal assistance. Whether it is a monetary donation or specific goods, FOX-KANSAS and Sinclair Broadcast Group is helping The Salvation Army Do The Most Good

- Rest assured our phone will be answered during regular business hours (8:30am - 4:30pm) Monday through Friday (Downtown Koch Center). We remain administratively staffed and operational. (However, phone hours may vary at our local Corps Community Centers)

- The Downtown Koch Center Main Lobby doors are open to the public. However,  our Emergency Social Services (Market St entrance) adjacent to main lobby will be our designated service access point by phone call. Schedule a Food Pantry drive up time, by appointment (316-263-2769) for Sedgwick County residents. 

- Main doors to both Corps Community Centers are also closed to the public. However, an entry will be designated for the drive through food drop off locations and social services in-person appointments can be made.

- Our Pantry remains open Tuesday and Thursdays, 10:00am to 2:00pm, by appointment only. However for safety, we continue as a drive-up service to distribute with a bagged or boxed items distribution model, maximizing proper distancing efforts. 

- The Homeless Shelter remains in operation. Should need arise for emergency shelter please contact our Intake Office: 316-263-2196.  In our Homeless Shelter, we are working to provide activities for residents due to their isolation. Any donation of games with plastic pieces, coloring books, crayons, family friendly movies would be appreciated.

- Emergency Social Services will limit direct client contact and provide as much online or over the phone service as possible. However, our switchboard will remain operational during regular business hours and in-person appointments are available and required.

- Utility assistance may be conducted over the telephone, but in-person appointments are available and required.


Donations needed:

It is imperative to repeat that if you find yourself with extra basic necessities that can be given to someone in need, you can drop them off at our Downtown Koch Center or either of our Corps Community Centers. Items may include, cleaning and sanitizing items like liquid hand soap, hand sanitizer (any size), tissues, toilet paper and hygiene items for our clients. Non-perishable foods include, cereal and canned meat.

In our Homeless Shelter, we are working to provide activities for residents due to their isolation. Any donation of games with plastic pieces, coloring books, crayons, family friendly movies would be appreciated.

 

3/21/20

We announced a new partnership as the pandemic and community needs evolved with the Wichita Community Foundation: 
The Salvation Army was pleased to offer additional resources to directly serve our community during the global coronavirus pandemic.  Thanks to the Wichita Community Foundation, we expanded our support to more of the population in need.  “We have the systems in place to help Sedgwick County citizens and hope others will feel inclined to do the same, “explained WCF President and CEO Shelly Prichard, from their Friday announcement. “This is a chance to leverage our resources to help more people in the community during such an unprecedented time.”

WCF managed financial contributions from the community and The Salvation Army’s Emergency Assistance Team screened applicants to make payments directly to utility companies. Individuals residing in Sedgwick County whose employment status had been impacted by the COFID-19 virus were eligible for this program. From the WCF announcement, Wichita Salvation Army City Commander, Major Jim Curl stated, “The Salvation Army is honored to partner with WCF to stand together to provide utility assistance to families in need in Sedgwick County.

3/16/20

The Salvation Army is committed to continue serving those in need throughout our community. Wichita City Commander, Major James Curl shares, “The Salvation Army is here to serve the people that need us. We want the community to know we will maintain our services and taking precautions as needed”.

The Salvation Army, the nation's largest social services organization is increasing efforts to meet human need, no matter the cost. In response to the novel coronavirus pandemic, the organization has evolved service delivery to ensure immediate needs of community members, first responders, and government partners are met. With an expected spike in requests over the coming weeks, months, and potentially years, ongoing public support will be needed to help ensure services are available to existing and new vulnerable populations.

Following the lead with our global leadership, The Salvation Army is closely monitoring developments by following the CDC, state and county guidelines and recommendations. We are working closely with our local Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to keep the community we serve informed and safe. We are also providing prevention guidance to all Salvation Army staff, volunteers and program participants on proper distancing, hygiene and prevention. We have increased and will sustain all our thorough cleaning efforts at all our facilities, including our shelter and kitchens. Our staff is regularly cleaning and disinfecting in an effort to prevent a potential spread of virus.

Among our top priorities,

• In-Chapel Services at both our Corps were canceled during the height of the pandemic and on-line streaming was made available. Check with your neighborhood Corps, as most services are now operating with in-person participation and appropriate distancing.
   
• Our Social Service ministries, such as emergency assistance and feeding programs continue to be provided, with adjustments made to restrict interaction between staff/volunteers and those who are dependent on assistance. At all locations this includes moving our Client Choice Food Pantry model to bagged or boxed food pickup model on same days and times, Tuesdays and Thursdays (10:00am to 2:00pm) providing access to foods and basic need items. Appointments are preferred at all our locations:
  -Downtown Koch Center, 350 N. Market, 316-263-2769
  -Citadel Corps Community Center, 1739 S Elpyco, 316-685-8699
  -West Orchard Corps Community Center, 1910 S. Everett, 316-943-0491
  
  Note: We also monitored local school district decisions should extended closings occur and additional meals are needed.

• We continued to serve the homeless population as needed, monitored symptoms and referred our homeless residents appropriate medical assistance for care of a local clinic or medical professional.

GENERAL INFORMATION FROM PARTNER RESOURCES