Donations in Action: 82-year-old woman has hope to spare
The Salvation Army Northern Division and our supporters are adapting to the COVID-19 crisis and finding creative ways to serve people and families across Minnesota and North Dakota.
Below are several examples of how our officers, staff members, volunteers, and donors are making a positive impact on those affected by this historic crisis.
Please join our fight by giving a donation. Your gift will provide emergency assistance for those who desperately need it.
Woman, 82, has hope to spare
Last week The Salvation Army in Fergus Falls, Minn. received a large and unexpected gift in the mail from a local woman who is 82 years young.
When Salvation Army officials opened the envelope, they discovered that the gracious woman had donated her entire government stimulus check.
“I know that you will spend it locally to help local people,” she wrote in a handwritten letter (pictured). “Thank you for all the good you do for our area community.”
The Fergus Falls Salvation Army was grateful for the woman’s donation, which will be used to provide food and basic care for local residents who are most vulnerable to the COVID-19 crisis.
“This generous woman had hope to spare, and we will put it to good use,” said Lt. Anthony Nordan, leader of the Fergus Falls Salvation Army.
Those who would like to donate their stimulus funds are reminded to first take care of their own needs and their loved ones. Then, if you’d like to share what’s left with others in need, The Salvation Army would be honored to help.
100 pounds of coffee
The Salvation Army in Duluth, Minn. on Thursday gave out 100 one-pound bags of locally roasted, freshly-ground coffee donated by Scott Nelson (pictured), owner of a local Dunn Brothers coffee shop.
Nelson said the coffee is a special treat meant to encourage people during these challenging times.
“When struggling families have to make food choices, coffee is often considered a non-essential extra,” said Captain Bryan Ellison, officer of the Duluth Salvation Army. “At a time when people are already feeling stress and uncertainty, it is nice to be able to offer them one of life’s simple pleasures.”
In addition to donating coffee, Nelson also served fresh hot cups of it for guests at the Duluth Salvation Army.
“Our food shelf guests were grateful for a hot cup of coffee – it was cold outside,” added Ellison, noting that temperatures hovered in the 30s.
Auto dealers unite in Williston
Auto and powersports businesses in Williston, N.D. last weekend joined forces to raise food and money for the Williston Salvation Army, whose resources have dwindled due to the COVID-19 crisis.
A drive-thru donation center was set up at Black Magic Harley-Davidson, where hundreds of people dropped off food and money. Additional partners included Red Rock Ford, Williston Auto, Mondak Motorsports, and Rugby Homes and RV Center.
Total raised: $2,000, and more than 2,000 pounds of food.
“This effort filled three trucks with food (pictured),” said Lt. Joseph Irvine, leader of the Williston Salvation Army, adding that money raised will be used toward the purchase of a new food shelf refrigerator. “We are beyond thankful for this kind of community support. We need it now more than ever.”
Serving employees of LM Wind Power
The Salvation Army in Grand Forks, N.D. continues to serve employees of LM Wind Power following an outbreak of COVID-19 at the wind turbine manufacturing facility.
The Grand Forks Salvation Army is now delivering free groceries to the homes of LM employees who request the assistance; more than 800 employees have been under home quarantine since last week.
“Most of these employees are people who put money in our kettles during the Christmas season – they never thought they’d need anything from The Salvation Army,” said Lt. Matthew Beatty, leader of the Grand Forks Salvation Army. “We are proud to serve them.”
The Grand Forks Salvation began serving LM employees last week, when staff and volunteers spent seven hours providing snacks and drinks for government and medical officials as they conducted drive-by COVID-19 testing for hundreds LM employees and their family members (pictured).
The Grand Forks Salvation Army and its supporters are proud to serve their community during the COVID-19 crisis.
"We are thankful for the support we've received, and we will continue to serve to the best of our ability," Beatty said.
Please join The Salvation Army in serving those affected by the COVID-19 crisis by giving a donation or signing up to volunteer. Your help will provide emergency assistance and hope for people and families in desperate need.
If you are feeling lonely, fearful or hopeless due to the COVID-19 crisis, call our Emotional and Spiritual Care Hotline at 877-220-4195 anytime between 8 a.m.–8 p.m. Central Time. Trained Salvation Army officers, employees and volunteers will be available to talk, listen to you, and pray for you.