ATLANTA, GEORGIA – The Salvation Army of Georgia continues its vital work to support local communities in the Peach State as the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic linger into the summer months. As a result of COVID-19, The Salvation Army is seeing the number of people needing assistance grow well beyond the traditional total normally served during this time of year.
The COVID-19 pandemic presented an unprecedented response challenge for most non-profits – The Salvation Army included. However, a preexisting national presence in every zip code in the U.S., along with historic emergency disaster experience and a generous donor base allowed The Salvation Army to respond in ways others could not. Throughout Georgia, The Salvation Army enhanced services like local food assistance operations, collaborative efforts with community partners, and additional emergency assistance efforts above and beyond the usual scope and pace of normal year-round social services.
Since the initial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S., The Salvation Army of Georgia has provided 140,000 meals, over 210,000 drinks and snacks, and distributed 18,000 food boxes, 6,500 hygiene kits and 6,000 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) items. Additionally during this time, The Salvation Army of Georgia has provided over 70,900 nights of shelter and has conducted 12,400 emotional and spiritual care sessions. Each one of these statistical numbers is a person or family touched with compassion and concern at a time when it’s need it the most.
“Our focus is on serving anyone in need during this unprecedented time,” said Lt. William Mockabee, Divisional Commander for the Georgia Division. “The need is great and we expect the number of people seeking services and assistance will increase as time goes on, especially among those experiencing job layoffs and financial uncertainties.”
Obtaining the additional resources and material to help those in need during the anticipated spike in services is critical. Anyone can partner with The Salvation Army to continue to provide help and hope to community neighbors during these troubling times.
The best way to help is to make a financial contribution at www.SalvationArmyUSA.org. Monetary donations allow The Salvation Army to immediately meet the specific needs of individuals, families and communities. Donations given in support of COVID-19 provide relief within the donor’s local community unless otherwise specified.
“Thanks to our communities and partners continued generous support, The Salvation Army of Georgia has been helping bring hope and healing to people who find themselves in the midst of an extremely difficult COVID-19 situation,” said Lt. Colonel Mockabee, adding, “We have been helping people in their time of need long before COVID-19 became a deadly national concern, and we will continue doing so long after COVID-19 has passed into history.”
