[Salisbury, MD-April 2, 2020] — The Salvation Army, the nation’s largest social services organization with more than 7,600 service locations across the country, is increasing efforts to meet human need, no matter the cost. 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.
While everyone is being impacted by this coronavirus outbreak, the one in six people living in poverty and the more than 550,000 individuals experiencing homeless will feel the effects more quickly and more deeply. Last year our Social Services helped over 26,500 people and we anticipate this number to grow this year.
In the short-term, The Salvation Army, Lower Eastern Shore is meeting need in our community by ensuring people have access to food through drive-thru pick-ups and soon desperately needed services of childcare for essential personnel in the area.
Supplies are needed for food distribution efforts. We are requesting packs of large brown paper bags and large plastic bags, in addition to hand sanitizer and disposable gloves. We know these are hard to find items and if you have any to spare it would be greatly appreciated.
In the months that follow, The Salvation Army will continue to provide basic needs to the 23 million Americans it already serves and anticipates it will also serve a new generation of need that is born out of the virus. Anticipated impacts on the economy and workforce will likely force more Americans to seek rental, utility, and other forms of assistance. After the Great Recession, The Salvation Army saw an increase of 10 million requests for service. While the full scope of the pandemic’s economic impact is still unknown, cancelled fundraising events and market volatility elevate the need for public support in order to maintain and grow these efforts.
Capt. Matthew Trantham, Commander of The Salvation Army Lower Eastern Shore said “Millions of Americans were already living paycheck to paycheck, and they will likely face incredible challenges from these uncertain times. Across the country and here on the Eastern Shore, The Salvation Army is committed to serving those who need our help, and we are thankful for generous public support which will allow that to happen.” Contact The Salvation Army, Lower Eastern Shore at 410-749-7771 ext. 100 for more information on how you can help. To contribute to The Salvation Army’s efforts in your community, visit https://www.sa-md.org.
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About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army annually helps nearly 23 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction, and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at 7,600 centers of operation around the country. In the first-ever listing of “America’s Favorite Charities” by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Salvation Army ranked as the country’s largest privately funded, direct-service nonprofit. For more information, visit SalvationArmyUSA.org. Follow us on Twitter: @SalvationArmyUS and #DoingTheMostGood
