To the Editor:
For many years, I have been a volunteer, sponsor, donor, member of the Women’s Auxiliary, and an advocate for The Salvation Army of Northeast Florida. I wholeheartedly believe in the mission and the work of The Salvation Army.
The Salvation Army has served hundreds of thousands of people of Northeast Florida since their inception in 1891 and The “Army” has provided disaster relief for every natural disaster in the USA since 1905.
The Salvation Army does so much in our community that most people don’t even realize it. The Salvation Army of Northeast Florida is on the forefront of helping the homeless, men, women, veterans, children and families find shelter. They feed the hungry, not only those that occupy the shelter, but every day, they provide lunches and dinner to hundreds of people coming in off the street for a meal.
When their food pantry is operable, they provide supplemental grocery orders for up to 250 income-eligible households a week. But there is so much more. In 2024, the nonprofit organization provided approximately $427, 000 in rental and utility assistance and over 2,400 individuals participated in counseling, to everything from financial literacy to job placement, to locating affordable housing. The Salvation Army also distributed Christmas gifts to over 4,700 local children and 1,500 holiday meals for local families.
Now is the time that we as concerned citizens must help The Salvation Army. Due to a funding shortfall, The Salvation Army of Northeast Florida must raise $1 million dollars in order to not have to cut many of the services that were previously mentioned. They embarked on a fundraising initiative that kicked off in April and will run through Oct. 31, in order to keep these programs active. Their initiative is called Hope in Action, which speaks to all of us to be active and generously give to this organization that gives so much each and every day.
How can you help? Mail a check to The Salvation Army Hope in Action campaign at P.O. Box 52508 Jacksonville FL 32201 or give online at https://give.salvationarmyflorida.org. Sign up to take a tour, consider becoming a volunteer and ring the bell this next holiday season. Whatever you do, please help The Salvation Army now. Keep Hope in Action in Northeast Florida.
Marilyn Carpenter
