Donations in Action: Sheriff’s office goes above and beyond
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.
Sheriff’s office goes above and beyond
The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office has been going above and beyond the call of duty to help The Salvation Army and the people we serve.
On many occasions, county officers have stopped by The Salvation Army in Maplewood, Minn. to pick up food and deliver it to people who are unable to leave their homes.
“One lady was a single mother, stuck in her home after she’d been diagnosed with coronavirus,” said a Salvation Army social worker. “These officers have been a blessing to a lot of people.”
The officers have also stopped by local restaurants to pick up food and bring it to the Maplewood Salvation Army for distribution.
This effort is part of the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office’s “Help Team,” created to respond to needs not typically seen as police calls.
“Every day we are receiving calls from people who are finding themselves in the unfamiliar space of needing assistance, but not knowing where to turn,” Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher wrote in a letter to The Salvation Army. “In reality, we are seeing more and more people struggling financially as the pandemic continues to impact the economy.”
First “virtual” church member enrolled
COVID-19 may be preventing people from coming to church at The Salvation Army, but it’s not preventing The Salvation Army from gathering new church members.
Last week the Twin Cities Salvation Army enrolled Larry Woods (pictured) as its first “virtual” church member, called a Soldier. A special ceremony was held for Woods at The Salvation Army in Brooklyn Park, Minn., where Salvation Army officers welcomed him during a livestream holiness meeting.
Woods attends the North Minneapolis Salvation Army, where he is active in men’s ministries, Bible studies, prayer meetings, and more. He began attending church there in February after stopping by for meals at the facility’s weekday hot lunch program.
Major Nancy Mead, director of multicultural ministries in Minnesota and North Dakota, led the ceremony in honor of Woods.
“The Lord is going to use you in a mighty way,” Mead said. “You’ll represent us well in The Salvation Army.”
Watch Woods’ enrollment (28:05 mark).
Support for drive-thru testing
The Salvation Army continues to support government and health agencies as they provide drive-thru COVID-19 testing throughout North Dakota.
Recent mass COVID-19 tests were held in Bismarck, Grand Forks (pictured) and Williston, where Salvation Army staff and volunteers provided food and drinks for dozens of government and medical professionals on the frontlines of the pandemic.
The Williston Salvation Army served at its first drive-thru testing two weeks ago, with two more community tests scheduled for this week.
“We’ve been serving the health department, police department, National Guard, and many other emergency personnel,” said Lt. Joseph Irvine, leader of the Williston Salvation Army, which served more than 70 meals during its first day of service. “We are proud to help these men and women as they work to keep our communities safe.”
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.