Salvation Army plans to ring in holiday season
A period many consider “the most wonderful time of the year” is just 61 days away — and the Salvation Army is getting ready.
The Christmas season is traditionally when the Salvation Army raises its most funds for the year to help those in need, according to Salvation Army Butler Corps Captain Darlene Means.
Perhaps fittingly, this year's campaign theme is “Rescue Christmas.”
“We are in the middle of taking our Christmas applications for Christmas programs,” Means said. “We still need the community's help.”
The Salvation Army has continued providing services to the community throughout the pandemic, according to Means.
These services include two specific to feeding the hungry: a lunch program and a food bank.
The organization's feeding program provides a lunch for anyone who needs one every Monday through Friday.
Every Thursday, the Salvation Army center in Butler holds a food bank.
Like other service operations during the pandemic, food bank distribution is now based on appointments.
“We schedule everything,” Means said.
This includes the organization's main Christmas programs: the coat distribution program Project Bundle-Up and the annual Christmas gift drive. Those wishing to apply for either program are asked to call the Salvation Army to provide initial application information.
Applicants are then asked to meet with a staff member in-person for application verification.
It's the safest way to adhere to pandemic precautions and still provide people with help, according to Means.
“We're still doing our mission,” Means said. “(And that's) helping everybody.”
Means indicated that, if anything, the pandemic may be allowing the Salvation Army to help more people.
Some guidelines usually in effect when it comes to programs have been relaxed in the wake of COVID-19.
A growing need for fundamentals — such as food and shelter — has led the organization to be more flexible for the time being, according to Means.
She said on a larger scale, flexibility has been a surprising effect of the pandemic.“Everybody pulling together,” Means said. “Being able to work through things.”Moving into the Christmas season, the Salvation Army is hoping to continue its tradition of bell ringer collections.Volunteer bell ringers usually appear outside businesses the Monday before Thanksgiving to help the organization collect funds for annual operations.The start of the bell ringing season may be anywhere from Nov. 16 to 23 this year, according to Means.Locally, she expects the campaign to operate much the same as years past, but with safety measures.“We have some idea (what it will be like), but not exactly,” Means said.A few plans the Salvation Army has in place now are regular kettle sanitization and social distancing measures between volunteers and donors.Means said the Salvation Army is also planning to maximize its use of Quick Response (QR) codes.Last year, the organization started displaying codes on Christmas kettles to give donors the option of donating virtually. This year, Means said the Salvation Army is hoping to print and distribute code cards for donors to take with them.Plans are still being made at the regional and national levels, according to Means. As with anything in 2020, they're also subject to change.No matter how people choose to give, the Salvation Army hopes to send out its bell ringers.“People are so used to seeing the Salvation Army,” Means said,As 2020 approaches its end, Means said she wants the public to know the Salvation Army is still operating — and still needs volunteers willing to spread cheer during the holiday season.“We're still here,” Means said. “We're still in need of help.”Means said the Salvation Army Butler Corps has several service units in the county, including ones in Harrisville, Slippery Rock, Chicora, Saxonburg, Evans City, Mars and Zelienople.The Butler office can be reached at 724-287-5532.Those looking for information about service units are asked to call Butler for operational hours and contact information.
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