The Salvation Army Wish List
By Lamont Neal on Wednesday, December 14th, 2011 |
I would like to thank everyone in Huntington County for their support of The Salvation Army in Huntington County this year. It is especially gratifying to see businesses and media groups endorsing us as agents of positive change in the community.
It is in that spirit that I take the liberty of presuming that the community would like to know what needs The Salvation Army has as it prepares for a new year of serving God and humanity. This is the fifth year that my wife, Captain Sally and I have been blessed to serve in Huntington County, and I have chosen to write to make clear needs that I believe have not been evident in the past.
Food - The Salvation is blessed each year with a food drive from a coordinated effort from our Advisory board and HCCSC staff. In spite of their awesome efforts, an ever growing need for emergency food this past year has left our Community Cupboard Food Assistance Program wanting for items. We are supplemented with USDA commodities, and are required to provide a 50/50 balance of government and private donations to our food recipients. We are not the largest food pantry in the city or the county, but those in need can ill afford to have one less place to obtain food assistance, since the need has doubled in the past three years.
Organizational involvement - There are many ways that businesses, churches and civic groups could support The Salvation Army throughout the year. As an example, if we had a “group of the week” to collect food donations for us, we would no longer have the critical need for food items that we currently experience.
Volunteers - We have a lot of volunteer efforts that slip through our fingers simply because the current system of screening and directing volunteer staff is too demanding on the current staff load. We have an internet based system of volunteer registration and scheduling which needs streamlining so that we can expand our current base of volunteers.
Word of Mouth - When we are able to share news everything The Salvation Army provides for the community we get many comments such as “I didn’t know that.” Our Facebook page and website (sahuntington.org) desperately need attention by volunteers to spread what is happening locally with The Salvation Army.
Resources - at this time of the year our Toy Shop gets full and many individuals are helped with our Christmas food baskets. Throughout the year, however, we have projects like painting, cleaning, gym floor maintenance, etc. that require resources to keep our infrastructure strong for service. We are currently seeking to expand the accessibility in our building for those with physical needs. This $30,000+ project will require several sources of funding to accomplish.
Liquidity - The Salvation has lost over $17,000 of FEMA funding for rent and utility assistance since last year due to government budget cuts. Our Red Kettle Campaign has set an ambitious goal of $50,000 - $10,000 more than last year, and we are currently off the pace to reach it. Even if it is met, this alone will not bring us back to previous levels. The United Way also provided $6,000 to help meet this shortfall. We have also struggled with major donors making life changes, such as sale of family businesses, which has left questions in our revenue budget. Continued funding is essential if we are to grow in meeting the needs of Huntington County as the come to our attention.
I could get more specific about items The Salvation Army needs funded, but space only lets me put them on our website - sahuntington.org
As bleak a picture this may seem to you, there have been worse times over the last five years - and God has been faithful to provide for every need. We trust Him for our needs as we continue to faithfully serve. Blessings on you and yours this Christmas season.
Captain Tim Sell
The Salvation Army
Huntington, Indiana
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