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Mobile Takes Canteen into the Community to Fill the Gap

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The Salvation Army of Coastal Alabama has created a new feeding program to assist at-risk community members who have been impacted by the coronavirus.  Other social service organizations have closed throughout the area due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Army is stepping up to serve residents who relied on those organizations.

The Salvation Army’s mobile feeding canteen began distributing water and bagged lunches in downtown Mobile at the Square at Dauphin Street and Park Street this week. The Army was able to provide a meal and prayer for 170 members of the community. The canteen will provide meals at this location every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

“Many people came to our canteen and told us that they thought they had been forgotten during this crisis. We assured them that we had not forgotten them, but more importantly, God had not forgotten them. The Salvation Army has served the needs of people in Mobile and Baldwin Counties since 1887 and will continue to be here with God’s help,” stated Coastal Alabama Area Commander, Major Thomas Richmond.

This new community feeding program is in addition to services already provided by The Salvation Army of Coastal Alabama, including supplied food, shelter and social services at the three shelter locations—the Family Haven family shelter, the Red Shield Lodge emergency homeless shelter, and the Dauphin Way Lodge drug & alcohol rehabilitation center, as well as financial assistance and an array of other services through their social services office.

To help The Salvation Army continue to serve those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, make your secure online donation today.

Shelters, warming stations opening to help those in need escape winter weather

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20150219-DSC05134The Salvation Army of Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi is caring for those in need during the severe weather that brought dangerously low temperatures, plus snow and sleet in some areas. Many of our local corps will open emergency shelters and warming stations while temperatures continue to drop. They are also extending hours for several of our shelters.

Snow and sleet in north Mississippi prompted Greenville and Greenwood Corps to open an overnight shelter and warming stations for local residents to escape the conditions.

In Greenville, the overnight shelter opens at 7pm. The warming station is open from 8:30am until 2:30pm.

“We know this is dangerous weather for anyone to be out in overnight,” said Lieutenant Damon Graham, Greenville Corps Officer. “We want folks to know they have a place to stay or simply a place to go get warm.”

Coffee snacks, and meals in some cases are available in the warming station.

In Greenwood, the overnight shelter is open from 6pm till 9am and the warming station opens at 10am and closes at 6pm.

“The Salvation Army will keep these places open as long as there are people who need them. We won’t turn anyone away,” said Captain Ben Deuel, Greenwood Corps Officer.

Both shelters and warming stations are open to the general public.

In Hunstville, Alabama, Corps Officer, Major Donald Wilson says they are maintaining a warming station, but they are also helping the homeless who may not want to come to The Salvation Army’s facilities.

“We currently have supplies such as coats, gloves, blankets and toboggans for the homeless who plan to stay outside. Plus, our canteen is ready to serve if needed,” said Wilson.

In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Mobile, Alabama, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and on the Mississippi Gulf Coast emergency cold weather shelters will be open as long as there is a need.

The Corps will continue to monitor the conditions about whether to open up on future days or nights as conditions and circumstances warrant.

To contact The Salvation Army in your area, please go to the locations page on our website at www.salvationarmyalm.org/locations

Jon-Kalahar