21: Yes, The Salvation Army is more than kettles and thrift stores

Did you know: The Salvation Army is more than red kettles and thrift stores?

Yet, if there’s one thing we hear time and time again it’s this: “I thought The Salvation Army was just kettles and thrift stores!” Which is generally followed by: “I wish more people knew about all The Salvation Army does.”

The Army’s extensive range of services are available in more than 130 countries worldwide and in every ZIP code in America. Each year, The Salvation Army serves more than 23 million Americans in need.

In this episode, Christin Thieme, Caring Magazine editor and Do Gooders Podcast host, aims to provide as complete an overview as possible on the extensive work of The Salvation Army and its six key pillars of service.

Show highlights include:

• Soup, soap, and salvation: History behind faith-based organization started by William Booth in London in 1865 to offer compassionate and tangible service to those who were homeless, hungry and destitute.
• Today, some 25,000 bell ringers a year help The Salvation Army raise money in the Red Kettle Campaign. In 2018, The Salvation Army raised nearly $138 million in the Red Kettle Campaign, thanks to generous donors at the kettles and a long list of corporate supporters across the country.
• Money goes to those in need, not management: About 82 cents of every dollar spent by The Salvation Army supports community programs.
• The Salvation Army’s six pillars of service:

1. 1. The Salvation Army is there for those with nowhere to go—group homes, emergency shelters, and transitional living centers.
   2. The Salvation Army is there for the hungry—about 156,000 meals are served every day across the country.
   3. The Salvation Army is there when disaster strikes—immediate help, continued hope, and long-term healing for survivors.
   4. The Salvation Army is there for children—hundreds of after-school programs and summer camps provide a safe place to play and learn.
   5. The Salvation Army is there for seniors—showering senior citizens with love, respect, care, food, games, exercises, and more because no one should ever grow old alone. 
   6. The Salvation Army is there for those in need of recovery—funds from donations of used goods sold at Family Stores provide housing, food, employment and other services while treating all forms of addiction.

Good words from Christin Thieme  in this show:

“In some ways, that’s exactly what makes a complete understanding of all The Salvation Army does so difficult. But it’s also what I think is beautiful about the Army—it fills the need, whatever it is, for whoever needs it.” 

“Money given in your community, stays in your community to help your neighbors.”

“Know this: As long as The Salvation Army stands, there’s no such thing as ‘no place to go.’”

“Whatever the circumstance, The Salvation Army brings immediate help, continued hope and long-term healing to disaster survivors.” 

Additional resources:

• Do Gooders Podcast, Episode 4: Navigating a Way Out of Homelessness with Captain Harold Laubach
• Do Gooders Podcast, Episode 6: How The Salvation Army will double its impact on homelessness with Commissioner Kenneth G. Hodder
• Do Gooders Podcast, Episode 7: How food makes us feel good with Guy Fieri
• Do Gooders Podcast, Episode 17: How The Salvation Army keeps kids full for the weekend with Lt. James Fleming
• Find The Salvation Army Family Store near you at satruck.org. 
• Get a free Behind-the-scenes Guide on Salvation Army Family Stores.
• Visit westernusa.salvationarmy.org to join the fight for good in your community.
• What’s your story? Take our free email course to see why your voice matters and how to find your story.

Download this episode wherever you get your podcasts. Find show notes for this episode and more at caringmagazine.org/podcast. Connect with Christin Thieme via Caring Magazine. 

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