The Salvation Army Financial Assistance – Help Making Ends Meet
National Salvation Army Week, May 10-16, 2021
Dallas, Texas (May 10, 2021) – Many individuals and families live from paycheck to paycheck. Inevitably, there are times when there is simply not enough money to go around. The Salvation Army is there in times of crisis and can provide emergency financial assistance that can keep the lights on for another month, put food on the table, and make ends meet until pay day.
The Salvation Army in Texas is excited to celebrate National Salvation Army Week, May 10-16, 2021. Since 1889, The Salvation Army has faithfully and consistently worked to help those in need, 365 days a year, providing assistance to individuals and families who find themselves in crisis, shelter to those experiencing homelessness, food and meals to the hungry, and much more.
When funds are available, The Salvation Army is able to provide financial or material assistance to individuals and families in need. Since each community is unique, the details of these assistance programs vary, but typically include help with utility bills and deposits, rent and mortgage payments, prescription medications, food and clothing, and transport vouchers. In order to qualify for financial assistance individuals must meet certain requirements.
Danielle was referred to The Salvation Army by a partner organization because she was facing eviction. She needed $500 to pay her rent for the month and had experienced an unexpected reduction in hours at her job due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While participating in our program she and one of her children, a daughter, were diagnosed with COVID-19.
“She wasn’t eating, she wasn’t talking. I took her to the hospital and her heart rate was literally almost 200. To watch your baby go through so much, you feel helpless,” said Danielle. “Then all my hours got cut to around 10 hours a week. I was in a very bad patch in my life.”
Danielle had maintained her apartment for seven months but did not have any family or other source of support to turn to for help. The Salvation Army provided financial assistance that enabled her to maintain her housing. Since beginning to work with a Salvation Army case manager, she has opened checking and savings accounts. In addition, since enrolling in our program, Danielle has been able to improve her credit score and as a result was approved for a business loan to support her in starting her own t-shirt printing business.
“My case manager and I built a relationship. It’s good to know somebody out there actually cares about you,” said Danielle. “It’s not just about rental assistance. There are The Salvation Army Thrift Stores, and the Salvation Army career center that helps you with resumes, job assistance, and school resources… This all was about bettering me. So, when they’re done assisting me, I have the tools and the know-how to assist myself in the future.
“If it wasn’t for The Salvation Army coming into my life when they did, I honestly don’t know where me and my kids would be living,” said Danielle. “You’re not just a number, or a just a client or a file on somebody’s desk that gets tucked away. I feel like people at The Salvation Army are superheroes. They gave me my life back.”
“Here at The Salvation Army, we have a range of programs, and work with some wonderful partners, that can provide assistance no matter what life throws at you,” said Lt. Colonel Ronnie Raymer, Divisional Commander of The Salvation Army in Texas. “Many people have suffered loss of hours at work, or loss of employment during the last year, especially due to the ongoing pandemic. We are here to listen and will do our best to find solutions to immediate problems, and a path to self-sufficiency and success.”
For more information, or to make a donation, please visit us online at www.salvationarmytexas.org
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About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in London in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for more than 130 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through a broad array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. 82 cents of every dollar The Salvation Army spends is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org