Donations in Action: Need a lift?
"Donations in Action" is a regular series about the many ways The Salvation Army Northern Division and our supporters are serving people and families in Minnesota and North Dakota. Below are examples of how our staff, volunteers, donors, and partners are making a positive impact during these uncertain times.
Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor. –Proverbs 22:9
Please join our fight by giving a donation. Your gift will provide emergency assistance for those who desperately need it.
Need a lift?
A mom, dad and their 9-month-old baby girl arrived at The Salvation Army in Williston, N.D. in desperate need of a ride to Sidney, Mont., located an hour southwest.
The family didn’t have enough money to pay for a cab ride, and none of the local trains or buses go in that direction. On top of that, the family didn’t have a car seat for their baby, and without one, they couldn’t go anywhere.
We didn’t know why the family didn’t have any money or a car seat, or why they ended up in Williston, or why they needed to get to Sidney so badly. We just knew they needed help.
Immediately our staff made several phone calls. Not only did they secure a car seat, they found someone who lives near Sidney and could drop them off. In addition, our staff gave the family some food and formula to tide them over until they arrived in Sidney.
Unique situations like this pop up at Salvation Army locations everywhere, all the time. Thanks to our supporters, we are able to meet these unexpected needs whenever they arise.
Overwhelmed with gratitude
Recently we helped a homeless woman find housing in the Twin Cities, and we will never forget how grateful she was to get off the streets.
When the woman first came to us, she sounded so defeated. But our case worker assured her that everything would be OK if she was willing to put in the time, effort and courage that was needed. The woman agreed to do all that was asked of her.
Working with three other agencies, we found housing for the woman in a matter of days. The woman was so overwhelmed with gratitude that she called her Salvation Army case worker, sobbing, saying how she would never forget how The Salvation Army and our partners helped her get off the streets.
The woman also thanked the case worker for helping her get through her lowest point in life, saying that she never felt judged and always felt loved. The case worker responded by praying with her. In the words of the case worker:
I told the woman that God had been with her throughout this process and had led her through these dark times to where she is now. I told her how much God cared about her and how He wanted her to succeed and prosper. I told her that she was strong and had endured some very difficult things to arrive where she was now. I asked God to bless her and to be with her now and always.
Thankful father keeps children
A single father in Bismarck, N.D. got to keep his three children thanks to The Salvation Army and our supporters.
The children’s mother had been incarcerated, leaving the father as the sole provider for their kids, all of whom are under the age of 18. But the father did not have a suitable place for the kids to live. Unless he could find a home, his kids were in danger of being placed into foster care.
Our case worker sprang into action. She found housing that the man could afford, and she used funds from The Salvation Army’s housing assistance program to help pay the deposit. Additionally, the family received clothing for the children and also home furnishing, plus several new beds from Slumberland’s 40 Winks Foundation.
“The father wanted us to share this story because he was so thankful,” said his Salvation Army case worker. “We thank our supporters for making this success story happen.”
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.