The Salvation Army is so much more
than red kettles and thrift stores.
So who are we? What do we do? Where?
Take a seat for Salvation Army 101.
Who
The Salvation Army is a faith-based organization that began in London in 1865. Its co-founders, a Methodist minister and his wife named William and Catherine Booth, walked the streets preaching to the homeless, the hungry and the destitute. The Booths’ efforts became The Salvation Army, which set out to offer compassionate, tangible service to people in need following a quasi-military structure with William Booth as its first General. As The Salvation Army spread, it became known as one of the largest providers of humanitarian aid. You may have even heard of its early motto: Soup, Soap and Salvation.
Today, the work is carried out across the U.S. by 63,000 employees, some 3 million volunteers and roughly 3,500 officers, who complete a two-year training program to become ordained ministers of The Salvation Army.
What
The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.
With the generous support of the public, The Salvation Army serves some 31 million Americans in need each year.
That’s almost one person every second, every day.
The Salvation Army’s service includes:
- Curing hunger
- Overcoming poverty
- Providing shelter
- Fighting human trafficking
- Stopping domestic abuse
- Equipping families
- Teaching kids
- Empowering the arts
- Assisting the unemployed
- Combating addiction
- Helping disaster survivors
- Loving the elderly
- Serving veterans
- Sharing God’s love
- Meeting the greatest need
- Brightening the holidays
See how every gift to The Salvation Army fights for good all year.
Where
An international organization, The Salvation Army serves in more than 130 countries around the world and in every U.S. zip code, working to meet human needs in every community—exactly as that community needs.
Why
Every program is rooted in a passion to serve God by serving the hurting, the helpless and the hopeless.
It’s biblical: We love because God first loved us.
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
– Mark 12:30-31
And so, we “Trust in the Lord and do good…”
– Psalm 37:3
Nearly 1,200 Salvation Army corps—or church—locations across the U.S. offer worship services every Sunday morning. See The Salvation Army’s 11 doctrines—our statements of belief.
How
Yes, The Salvation Army does a lot.
And notably, we don’t do it alone.
Thanks to generous donors and a long list of corporate partners—including Walmart Stores, Kroger Company, JCPenney, Walgreens, UPS, Albertsons and many more—The Salvation Army is dedicated to Doing the Most Good. Thousands of business and community leaders also partner with us as advisory board members—from the National Advisory Board to the one serving in your neighborhood.
By meeting tangible needs, we give the world a lasting display of the love behind our beliefs. Since 1865, we have been working to provide sustainable solutions for the most vulnerable. We stay not just until the job is done, but long afterward, to ensure that the healing continues. With 82 cents of every dollar dedicated to directly supporting the needs of the community in which it was received, The Salvation Army is committed to stewarding every donation with integrity.
Will you join us in the Fight for Good?
“We’re not just a random agency or a nonprofit that gives away food, but we’re a lot more than that. We want them to feel as family. We want them to know that they have someone they can count on. They can come and talk to us. We’re here to help.”
– Johanna, Salvation Army Social Services Director
Continuing Education
Brush up on your Salvation Army knowledge with additional coursework on these specifics:
- What does The Salvation Army believe? Download now.
- What do The Salvation Army crest and shield signify? Download now.
- What is The Salvation Army chain of command? Download now.
- What are the steps to become a Salvation Army officer? Download now.
- What are The Salvation Army advisory organizations? Download now.
- How to volunteer as a Salvation Army bellringer? Download now.
- How does The Salvation Army accept cryptocurrency? Download now.
See more about The Salvation Army’s impact on: