Donations in Action: College, cancer and donuts

Starting college is exciting for young adults. It’s even more special when one of those young adults was homeless just six months prior. Such was the story of a young woman who used to be a regular at The Salvation Army’s youth-only food shelf in St. Paul. I recently saw her outside The Salvation Army, where she said had found a place to live and had enrolled in college. She gave me a hug of thanks. I was happy that The Salvation Army could play a role in her comeback by providing food during a difficult period of her life.

A husband, wife and their son had been living with family and friends for more than a year because they could not afford or qualify for affordable housing. The mom was in the midst of taking college classes during the family’s housing search. They finally found a place they could afford, but there was one problem: Paying the damage deposit would leave no money left to pay all of the first month’s rent. I was proud to tell them The Salvation Army could pay for the rest of that bill. The family was elated. The mom was especially ecstatic; she was about to graduate, and was thrilled that doors were finally opening because of her hard work and perseverance.

Sometimes being noticed is one of life’s greatest blessings. Recently, a familiar woman came into our office. My fellow social workers and I had not seen her in a long time. She was much thinner – unhealthily so – and her face was gaunt and tired. I asked how she was doing. She said she had been diagnosed with breast cancer, and had just left a treatment session at the hospital. What she said next was astonishing and humbling: She wanted to take advantage of the beautiful day by coming to see her favorite people – the workers at The Salvation Army – and getting some food, as she put it, “So I can look good again.”

I recently visited a senior home to give a presentation about Salvation Army services. I was taken aback by how many residents had a connection to The Salvation Army. While I was giving out donuts, one gentleman stood up and said the last time The Salvation Army gave him a donut, he was an American solider serving in South Africa during World War II. Another WWII veteran talked about how The Salvation Army was there for his company in the South Pacific. He said The Salvation Army helped soldiers with letter writing and generally made the environment a friendlier place. A woman piped up and said her father left money for The Salvation Army in his will. He had never forgotten the time The Salvation Army gave him a place to stay while he was travelling across the country and his car broke down.

An older gentleman walked up to my desk looking severely depressed. He said his son had died recently. While grieving the loss, the man had gotten behind on paying his utility bills. He was worried he’d be disconnected. I helped him fill out a Gas Affordability Program application to delay the shut-off process. The Salvation Army was able to guarantee $500 toward his energy bill to prevent a shut-off. The man was grateful and kept saying, “I would kiss you if I could.” It was great to help this man amid such emotional stress. His spirits were boosted.