Dear Salvation Army: I have some questions…
We regularly receive letters and emails from supporters with questions about our organization. They typically go something like this:
Dear Salvation Army,
I’ve known about you for a long time. It’s hard to miss the cheery sound of bells by your kettles and I’ve known a friend or two that has volunteered with you before. While I know of the work you do to help the homeless and provide meals to those with hunger, I still find that there is a lot I don’t know about The Salvation Army. That being said, I have a few questions for you:
- My friend told me that The Salvation Army is a church. I said it’s a human services agency. Who is right?
- Did you really create the first-ever donut recipe?
- If I donate clothes, where do they go?
If you could shed a little insight, and help solve the debate with my friend, I would be grateful.
Sincerely,
Mr. Curious
We’re always happy to answer these sorts of questions. That fact is, The Salvation Army is a large organization, okay, a huge organization spanning 126 countries. Here’s the kicker: Each Salvation Army worship and service center offers different programs based on the specific needs of the local community. That being said, we’ve gathered ten frequently asked questions and shared our answers in case you’ve ever found yourself asking questions like Mr. Curious.
Ten Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Salvation Army a human services agency or a church?
The big surprise is that we’re…both! Yes, it’s true. At its heart, The Salvation Army is a Christian church with a mission to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our faith calls us to roll up our sleeves and get to work – that’s the human services part. Our founder, William Booth, believed you must meet the material and emotional needs of a person before you can minister to them spiritually. We serve anyone in need without discrimination, regardless of religion, beliefs or lack thereof.
How many locations do you have in Minnesota and North Dakota?
Thanks to the work of nearly 800 employees and 81,000 volunteers, we are able to serve thousands across every county of Minnesota and North Dakota. In total, we have 28 worship and service centers spanning two states – eight based in the Twin Cities metro area, 13 in Greater Minnesota and six in North Dakota. For areas without a Salation Army Worship and Service Center, assistance reaches those in need through our Service Extension program, powered by volunteer service units. Through the work of these volunteers, we’re able to provide groceries to hungry families, help pay utility bills, or find long-term solutions to help people get back on their feet even in the most remote regions.
Did you really create the donut recipe?
While we can’t take credit for creating the first donut recipe, we did create an original donut recipe when our “donut lassies” were overseas serving American troops during WWI. Because we gave soldiers on the frontlines a taste of home with these donuts, we are credited with popularizing the donut in the United States upon their return. Also, National Donut Day began in 1938 as a fundraiser at a Chicago-based Salvation Army to help those in need during the Great Depression. Today, we use National Donut Day to pay homage to our donut lassie’s enduring spirit to serve our country’s soldiers.
If I donate goods, such as clothes, where do those go?
When clothes are donated to us, they are sent to our stores where they’re sorted, washed, ticketed and then sold. The goods you donate and the money you spend in Salvation Army Stores fund programs that heal broken lives. Proceeds from stores in Greater Minnesota and North Dakota are used to support basic needs programs. By shopping or giving at the Twin Cities area stores, you are helping to fund a life-saving rehabilitation program at the Adult Rehabilitation Center.
Did you serve soup out of kettles before raising money in them?
We’ll debunk this myth right away. No, we have never served soup out of our kettles. Our annual Red Kettle Christmas fundraising campaign started in 1891 when a Salvation Army captain in San Francisco set up a crab pot and began collecting money for the poor at Christmas. Since then, the Red Kettle Campaign has become one of the longest-running fundraising efforts in the world. Our kettles can even be seen in Japan, Korea, Chile, and throughout Europe.
What’s up with the military structure?
Our militaristic style has been a part of The Salvation Army since it was founded in 1865. Founders William and Catherine Booth chose to adopt this organizational style to help The Salvation Army become a highly-disciplined, mobile organization that can respond quickly and efficiently to human need whenever and wherever it arises. The term “army” signifies that we are a fighting force dedicated to sharing our ministry that gives attention to one’s body, mind and spirit. Salvation Army officers always wear a uniform when they are on duty to signify their availability and accessibility in times of need or crisis. Learn more about our structure.
How many people you feed and shelter each night?
With over 50 housing and shelter facilities in Minnesota and North Dakota, we can help a lot of hurting people. Daily, we serve an average of 2,125 hot meals and provide shelter to 1,158 people experiencing homelessness. View the most up-to-date statistics for both states and even see a break down of the impact we are making in the Twin Cities, if that’s where you live.
Are disaster responders from The Salvation Army or Red Cross?
The short answer to this question is, likely both. The Salvation Army is sometimes confused with American Red Cross in times of disaster, but we are separate organizations. Both The Salvation Army and Red Cross rush to meet the needs of families and communities as they begin rebuilding their lives after the worst happens. We work together in the first days after disaster strikes by providing complimentary services such as hot meal programs, shelter, financial assistance and counseling to help the most people and do the most good. When the dust settles and most emergency services teams begin to leave, Salvation Army volunteers and staff stay for weeks, even months as we continue to help people rebuild their lives and offer assistance with reconstruction projects (read more about our disaster services).
What programs do you have that serve children?
We have a variety of youth programs at each of our locations in Minnesota and North Dakota that vary to best meet the needs of local youth. A few of our common programs include character-building programs, music instruction, after-school programs, summer day camps and opportunities to attend our Northwoods Camp in Finlayson, Minn. during the summer. Most of our locations across Minnesota and North Dakota also have active church youth programming. One of our locations in the Twin Cities even offers a child development center with day care, while another location is a devoted youth-only homeless shelter.
When I donate to The Salvation Army, where does my money go?
Unless you designate your gift to a certain location or a region-specific program, all donations are sent to the billing ZIP code of the donor for use in local Salvation Army programs. This means that your gift stays within your local community to help those in need near you.