What do Pokémon Go and The Salvation Army have in common?
By Haley Earley, staff member at The Salvation Army Northern Division
It’s happening everywhere. People are wandering the streets and venturing into the fields as they stare at their phones. Strangers are striking up conversations. Kids are actually getting outdoors to go on walks. Parents are driving around aimlessly. And all because of one thing: Pokémon Go.
By recreating this 90s video game for smart phones and overlaying it onto a real world map, Nintendo has created an overnight sensation. People are downloading the app and following the map it provides to venture out and catch fictional creatures affectionately called Pokémon on their phone. The map takes people to real-world locations on the hunt. We’ve even seen these creatures pop up through the app at Salvation Army locations.
Our Locations: Poké Stops
Many of our Twin Cities locations are Poké Stops in the game. If you aren’t up on the lingo, a Poké Stop is a pit stop of sorts. You can pop by the outside of our locations to restock on supplies or revive your Pokémon following a battle. One quick swipe and you might get any of the following:
- Poké Balls (used to capture Pokémon),
- Eggs (which you can then hatch into Pokémon)
- A lucky egg (same concept with double the experience points)
- Razz Berry (which can be used to simplify the capture of certain Pokémon)
- Potions (used to recover the HP – or hit points – of your Pokémon following a battle)
What Our Locations and The Game Have In Common
While both the Pokémon Go game and our locations offer supplies, for most people stopping by The Salvation Army, the need for supplies isn’t a game. People stop by The Salvation Army for basic and often vital needs. These supplies might include:
- A meal (used to sustain life)
- Groceries (a supply to do the same)
- Rental assistance (used to prevent homelessness)
- Utilities assistance (used to maintain basic home functions such as a working fridge or heater)
- Clothing (used to maintain warmth and dignity)
The Salvation Army offers a variety of services that the average person typically takes for granted. It isn’t until someone must do without these basic needs that the reality of their importance comes crashing down. We’re here to help individuals and families pick up the pieces and gain the strength to stand on their two feet once again. Whether it’s a physical or spiritual need, The Salvation Army was been around long before Pokémon (since 1865) and it will remain once this fad has faded.
Rebuilding Community
Pokémon is a fun game that is helping individuals get outside and connect with their neighbors. It’s building community beyond the electronic screens, and it’s encouraging interaction beyond social boundaries. It’s been a wonderful tool for people to both escape the recent tragedies as well as regain hope for what could be in our society.
As we assess our surroundings we need to ask a crucial question: Can we unite our culture to care more for our community than for a game? Only if this answer is “yes” will we embrace our neighbors for more than an opportunity to snag Pokémon.