Letters: Thanks for Salvation Army; COVID testing inadequacy; the need for empathy
The Columbus Dispatch
Salvation Army thanks community for support
Despite the challenges of the pandemic, The Salvation Army in central Ohio also experienced amazing support from central Ohioans who wanted to meet the increased needs of their neighbors. In March we quickly pivoted to respond to the need to help feed hungry families by creating safe drive-thru pantries. Our pantry services have increased by 225% and we have provided 1,145,856 meals.
With the help of the community, we set out to Rescue Christmas and were able to provide new toys for 8,179 children and Red Boxes full of food for 17,134 individuals.
January 16, 2021 By Jessica Mathews / news@whmi.com
The Salvation Army of Livingston County is reminding the community that need knows no season and the local Corps is still raising funds to hopefully reach its Christmas goal.
Thanks to the thousands of volunteers this November and December, the Salvation Army says it was able to serve over 900 Livingston County families this Thanksgiving and Christmas, provide 3,455 pounds of food through its pantry and help countless individuals with shelter, rent, utilities and more. Organizations, families and corporations virtually collected toys, physically rang bells at Red Kettles, hosted virtual kettle and donated monetarily - all of which helped serve thankful families that would have gone without this holiday season and will help keep families in need supported through 2021. Officials say the season of giving is now gone but the need still exists.
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Salvation Army Red Kettle volunteer bell ringers were seen out at various locations around the Boyertown area this past holiday season. While Red Kettles were not out in the community as much as previous years due to the pandemic, a large Red Kettle sign installed in front the Salvation Army headquarters resulted in more in-person and online donations.
Submitted photo
Captains Rebecca and Joseph Smith, corps officers at The Salvation Army of Boyertown, stand in front of a 4-foot-by-3-foot Red Kettle sign in front of the building. While Red Kettles were not out in the community as much as previous years due to the pandemic, the large Red Kettle sign resulted in more in-person and online donations.
rspitza@miningjournal.net
Hayden Croff of Marquette, a Northern Michigan University student and Christmas coordinator for The Salvation Army of Marquette, picks up toys from the Cheer Club at The Mining Journal office in downtown Marquette on Dec. 5. Gifts collected by the Cheer Club were distributed to local families in need earlier this month by The Salvation Army of Marquette County and St. Vincent de Paul of Marquette. (Journal file photo)
MARQUETTE The Salvation Army of Marquette County’s “Rescue Christmas” initiative garnered many financial and gift donations for families in need this holiday season, officials said.
The organization reported Wednesday morning that $98,678.40 was raised through its annual Red Kettle campaign, exceeding its target of $90,000 by 9%.