HOPE IN ACTION
Love Beyond Inflation
POSSIBILITY POTENTIAL CHANGE
Hope in Action: Transforming Possibility
BY CHRISTIN THIEME
There is a moment—familiar, yet frequently forgotten, maybe overlooked—when possibility first whispers.
It’s the pause before the first step, when something within us says, “Maybe. Just maybe.”
This is not the passive hoping of waiting and wishing. This is hope as participation. Hope fueled by faith. Hope that rolls up its sleeves and gets to work.
In communities across the western United States and beyond, The Salvation Army witnesses hope shift from feeling to doing. It’s the mom who walks into a food pantry so her kids can eat. It’s the volunteer who shows up to help after a disaster. It’s the man living in his car who decides his circumstances won’t determine his destiny.
Hope is not just a promise. It’s an agent of change.
And we know positive change begins with a simple conviction: Different is possible. Not theoretically possible, but possible today. Our world is transformed not by great deeds but by countless individual decisions to step forward.
The Salvation Army understands this well. We do not simply provide services—we create possibility.
We do not only react to the moment—we invest in potential.
We aim for restoration of body, mind and soul, reminding others of their ability to grow and flourish.
In this issue, we’re exploring hope.
It is an invitation to see hope as something you create, not something that happens to you.
To see yourself not as a spectator in this story, but as a potential catalyst.
How will you answer the whisper of possibility?
Welcome to Hope in Action. | C
EVERY POSITIVE CHANGE BEGINS WITH A SIMPLE CONVICTION: DIFFERENT IS POSSIBLE.
HOPE MARKETS TRANSFORM FOOD ASSISTANCE
By Christin Thieme
SHIELDING SENIORS FROM SCAM SURGE
By Emily Anderson
My source of hope
BY DOUGLAS RILEY, COMMISSIONER
In the wake of the Los Angeles wildfires and other recent disasters—from the San Diego floods to the Lahaina fire and not long ago, the Paradise fire—a profound truth emerges: While disaster will come, peace can be found in life’s darkest moments.
Eight
BEYOND STATS
Nine Salvation Army programs helping unhoused individuals
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure (Heb. 6:19a). My hope, my peace, my comfort in the storms is found in Christ alone.
James, a recent wildfire survivor, illustrates this reality.
Standing amid the ashes of what was once his home, he confessed, “I never realized how much my identity was tied to this house, to what own, my possessions. feel like it burned a part of me.”
Yet the more he prayed, he said, the more he began to experience peace. The peace found only in the presence of God.
James realized something remarkable: While the fire destroyed his house, it couldn’t destroy his faith. “God’s the same today, yesterday and forever,” James said.
This journey from devastation to peace echoes the wisdom found in Psalm 62:5, which offers both a premise and a promise: Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.
Find rest in God, and hope will follow. It’s a truth exemplified by historical figures like King David, who maintained his faith even after losing his throne and comforts, and Horatio Spafford, who penned “It Is Well With My Soul” after losing his fortune in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 and his four daughters to a maritime disaster.
Today’s world bombards us with negative news and constant chaos. Many find themselves growing weary—not just physically, but spiritually, in their souls. This deep exhaustion can’t be cured by a good cup of coffee, an afternoon nap or even the comforts of home. True rest, as both ancient wisdom and modern experience suggest, comes from something more fundamental. Let me add, true peace and hope come only from God.
The key lies in recognizing where we place our trust.
Trust is faith in action.
Our homes, possessions, routines and even loved ones can vanish in an instant. Last August, I experienced this truth person-
ally when my mother passed away. At 93 years old, she would often tell me, “Trust God, put your faith in him.” These losses, while painful, invite us to examine what truly provides hope in our lives.
As Philippians 4 reminds us, contentment isn’t found in circumstances but in something deeper. When everything else is stripped away, what remains?
For those who have lost everything in recent disasters, it’s not a theoretical question—it’s ruthlessly real.
The answer isn’t found in what we can acquire or achieve, nor in titles or fame. Instead, it’s found in understanding that when we lose everything temporal, we haven’t lost everything that matters. True peace, true hope—as demonstrated by countless survivors of personal and natural disasters—come from building our lives on something more permanent than physical possessions.
In times of crisis, this truth becomes especially relevant. While we can’t prevent all disasters or avoid all losses, we can choose where we place our ultimate trust. The challenge— and opportunity—is to find rest not in the temporary comforts of life, but in something that remains unchanged even when everything else is lost.
For those currently facing trials, this message offers both comfort and direction.
True peace isn’t found in the absence of storms, but in finding an unshakeable anchor amid them.
As our communities continue responding to various crises, this perspective offers a framework for both immediate response and long-term resilience. It reminds us that while material aid is crucial, true recovery must address both physical and spiritual needs.
As Spafford wrote:
“When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll; whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, ‘It is well, it is well with my soul.’”
Where does one find strength like that? Where does one find peace like that?
We find it in God alone.
He alone is my hope.
He is alone is my salvation. | C
Commissioner Douglas Riley is the Territorial Commander of The Salvation Army USA Western Territory.
Q&A
PEOPLE WERE HAVING TO DECIDE BETWEEN MEDICINE AND FOOD, OR RENT AND UTILITIES, OR SAFE TIRES OR BRAKES ON THEIR CAR OR FEEDING THEIR KIDS. WE DECIDED WE WERE GOING TO TAKE THE WHOLE FOOD AND FEEDING PIECE OUT OF THE EQUATION FOR THEM.
Jenny Hartung
When food is just the beginning
How The Salvation Army in Gillette, Wyoming, is making a better community for all.
Food insecurity is a big problem in the United States, as 47 million people—including 14 million children—do not have enough to eat and don’t know where their next meal will come from.
Beyond that figure, many more people—estimated in the millions by Feeding America—do not meet the government’s definition of food insecure but still turn to the charitable sector for support.
And in Gillette, Wyoming, that includes The Salvation Army. Jenny Hartung, who leads The Salvation Army’s Service Extension Unit in Gillette, has witnessed the evolution of need and Salvation Army assistance over the past decade in a community heavily affected by the boom-and-bust cycles of the energy industry. What started as a single shelf of emergency food has grown into a 15,000-square-foot facility that provides food assistance, social services and soon, a bridge housing program for women.
“People were having to decide between medicine and food, or rent and utilities, or safe tires or brakes on their car or feeding their kids,” Hartung said. “We decided we were going to take the whole food and feeding piece out of the equation for them.”
The unit now distributes over 2,000 food boxes a month in this town of some 30,000 people, meaning roughly one in five Gillette residents receives food assistance from The Salvation Army monthly.
The following is an edited excerpt from Hartung’s appearance on The Do Gooders Podcast, in conversation with Editor in Chief and show host Christin Thieme. Listen to the full episode at caringmagazine.org/pantry.
What is Gillette like—can you help paint a picture for those who haven’t been there?
Most of Wyoming is a high desert. And what isn’t a high desert are beautiful, fabulous mountains. We, however, are on the plains and the wind blows all the time, and it’s quite cold here. We have snow
for eight months every year. So if the air temperature says minus 20, with the wind, it might feel like minus 50. In the summertime, it gets between 90 and 100 degrees. So it’s a land of extremes. We’re known for our energy production. We have the largest amount of coal being shipped throughout the United States and some overseas of any state in the union, as well as
oil and gas production. So it’s an economy based on fossil fuels.
How has the Service Extension Unit evolved over the years?
Service extensions serve rural communities with social services and pastoral care as needed. We are representative of God’s love here in the community by sharing what we have, including emergency rental assistance, utilities, homelessness prevention and a super robust food pantry. When I started 11 years ago, we had a tiny 300-square-foot office in a bank building. I was the sole staff member serving people with basic emergency assistance like rent, utilities and gas vouchers. Today, we occupy a 15,000-square-foot facility with a robust food pantry, thrift store and social services. Last year, we distributed $1.2 million worth of food while spending just $67,000 on purchases—the rest came through partnerships with the Wyoming Food Bank with Feeding America, The Emergency Food Assistance Program and local food rescue programs.
Tell us about the food pantry. How does it work?
It’s a personal choice food bank. People come in, they get a grocery cart, and they go through and choose the items that they want. We usually have three or four different frozen meats, frozen potatoes and starches, six different proteins. We’re high on protein. We want a lot of protein and a lot of carbs because those are the things that keep people warm and healthy, as well as a whole bunch of produce.
Why is food assistance here so important?
We’re very underemployed here. People laid off from the coal mines who were making $110,000 a year might now be working at fast-food restaurants making $30,000, but they still have the same mortgages and car payments and other expenses. Wyoming has no welfare program, and
Medicaid is difficult for adults to access. By providing food, we remove one major expense so families can afford housing, utilities, medicine and vehicle repairs.
Is there a story that illustrates the impact of your work?
So many families come through who have had help for a little while and end up coming back and volunteering.
Laraine is a young widow with two daughters, and they had been traveling around in an RV, dealing with their grief and trying to figure it out. They stumbled into Gillette and found our food pantry.
We were able to help with emergency food. And then a few days later, she came back. We talked to her about long-term solutions, got her signed up for SNAP benefits and started helping her look for permanent housing.
She got a good feeling from our community, felt loved and welcome, and can’t help but think part of that was because she visited The Salvation Army. Six months later, they came in to volunteer in the food pantry and would come in three days a week.
Fast forward a couple of years—her daughters are thriving, she’s the manager of a local business in town, and I invited her to come on our advisory board. She brings such a great perspective of what it’s like to have to ask for help and also triumph over tragedy.
How has the community supported your growth?
People are so enthusiastic about what we’re doing. When we moved into this building, we had a blank space, and everyone wanted us to open a thrift shop. So we opened a very small thrift shop and we would sell out of everything. We were only open three days a week and would sell out of every single thing every week.
So we expanded it and the store is now making plenty of money to help cover the programs we provide.
We are run completely by volunteers except me and one case manager. The other 42 people a week here are all volunteers. They run the thrift shop, the food pantry, and help in the office with reception and paperwork.
So the community has embraced our growth, and it wouldn’t have been possible without them, honestly, it just wouldn’t have been.
What keeps you motivated in your role?
Seeing people succeed, watching them climb out of poverty and homelessness into self-sufficiency. That’s the stuff that keeps me going.
I’m also a dreamer, and working with The Salvation Army allows me to realize dreams for our community. Our newest project is Center of Grace, a reentry program where women can live with their children for six to 24 months after leaving treatment, incarceration or situations involving trafficking or domestic violence while they get their lives back. What keeps me going is God’s love, and he gives me strength every day. It’s the promise of a better life for those we’re serving, which makes a better community for everyone who lives here.
What gives you hope right now?
That the folks in our community who may be struggling are still strong and courageous and try as hard as they can. I have met some of the most amazing, courageous, strong, loving people on their very worst day. They blossom into the best version of themselves after someone shows them kindness. And that love really is at the center of all that we do. C |
HELP PROVIDE NOURISHMENT AND HOPE by supporting The Salvation Army’s food assistance programs in your community—visit caringmagazine.org/fight-hunger to learn how you can make a difference today.
Jenny Hartung
|PHOTO BY WILD ROSE PHOTOGRAPHY
Their small steps are making a big difference.
Alot of people with hope for a better world let it end there.
Why is that?
You’re reading, so we know you’re one of The Hopefuls, someone who recognizes that hope is active—and you’re not afraid to take action, to spread goodness
And what if making a difference doesn’t require anything extraordinary? What if hope is built not on heroic efforts but by countless everyday actions of seemingly normal people?
Their stories remind us that action begins with someone taking that initial step.
Kandie Spaet: Finding purpose in food security
IN YAKIMA, WASHINGTON, Kandie Spaet first came to The Salvation Army through a local job placement program. For months, she worked 20 hours a week at the Yakima Corps helping in the food pantry.
“This lady came in and she had two kids that somebody just left with her,” Spaet said of the moment she realized she was directly involved in fighting hunger in the community. “She just touched my heart so much coming through the food bank because she didn’t have help from anywhere else, and the food bank really mattered to her.”
Now, as a volunteer, Spaet helps people navigate the food pantry, with personalized shopping trips allowing each individual to select their items.
Some 80 people who come each day include those experiencing homelessness, families with children and others facing food insecurity.
“It’s just nice to see how much they’re thankful,” she said. “Even if it’s not a lot, it really helps.”
Spaet said being a volunteer is not as hard—or boring— as most people think.
“A lot of people think you go in there and you don’t really do anything…desk work or something, but you go in and everybody’s nice and they show you how to do stuff,” she said.
“I have a bunch of kids myself, so I know how much it really helps impact the community.”
Peter Parks: Radio lifeline in disaster
ABOUT AN HOUR north of the Golden Gate Bridge, Petaluma, California, is usually peaceful. That is until an earthquake disrupts routines, steeling everyone for the “big one” they’ve whispered about for generations—or a fire erupts.
When the Tubbs Fire burned in 2017, it was California’s worst natural disaster at the time—and it showcased just how important ham radios were to the community.
Several cell towers burned, which meant cellular-based communications—used by emergency personnel and regular people alike—wouldn’t work. Ham radios, on the other hand, worked just fine.
Using the same radio frequencies that made this form of communication revolutionary in the 20th century, Peter Parks assisted emergency services—including The Salvation Army Emergency/Disaster Services—and neighbors in real-time.
“In an emergency, you can’t do things the way you’ve always done them,” Parks said. “It’s important to plan ahead and prepare, and a ham radio is a reliable way to do that.”
Today, Parks and co-operator Tony Kamby routinely practice for an inevitable need. Sometimes it’s a quick check-in of the dedicated ham radio room inside The Salvation Army building, other times it’s drills with the police and fire departments.
“We’re always tinkering with things, testing and training,” Kamby said. “When we do have another disaster, the familiar thing will be our ham radios.”
Atticus Firey: Redefining success through service
AFTER EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS as a teenager, Atticus Firey decided achieving success was essential for escaping his circumstances and building a brighter future.
He began his first venture—selling vacuums door-to-door across South Los Angeles. One thing led to another, and some 15 years later, he appeared to have it all: financial stability from business ventures in music, entertainment, technology and consumer goods, along with the opportunity to retire at age 34 after managing and selling successful businesses. But despite his success, he felt unfulfilled and turned to various substances in an attempt to fill the void.
Then in August 2022, at 51, Firey checked himself into The Salvation Army Anaheim Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC), where he completed a six-month residential recovery program in search of a different path.
He described the program as transformational and crucial in restoring his relationship with God by introducing him to the 12-steps of recovery and helping him understand his life through Scripture.
“Matthew 7:24-27 talks about a man who builds his house on rock versus one who builds it on sand,” he said.
“In retrospect, I realized when the storm came, my house was built on sand, not rock.”
Through spiritual guidance, counseling, life skills training and support groups, Firey credits the ARC as a tool God used to show him that recovery and healing are possible. Firey now serves as the Director of Donations Development for the Adult Rehabilitation Centers Command.
“By generating these resources and building collabo -
rations, I can benefit multiple ARCs and help even more people,” he said. “It’s a purpose I never would have imagined…It’s about serving and caring for others and that’s my life now.”
Katherine Mead: The ‘backbone’ of Cordova
AT THE SALVATION ARMY CORDOVA (Alaska) Extension Unit, volunteers run the entire operation, supporting the community that ebbs between 2,000-5,000, depending on if it’s summer, when many take seasonal fishing-related jobs, or not.
“We try to be good neighbors,” said Volunteer Coordinator Katherine Mead, a volunteer herself. “I just have the keys to the building.”
Mead organizes The Salvation Army’s efforts in Cordova, largely focusing on the tasks associated with the monthly food distribution that serves some 30-60 families. It hasn’t gone unnoticed; Mead was among a group of seven individuals recognized by Alaska First Lady Rose Dunleavy’s Volunteer Award in 2024.
Mead stepped into the role in early 2020, just before the pandemic dramatically increased need for local families. She began delivering food bags to seniors and expanded programs to include Angel Tree at Christmastime, providing gifts for children in need, along with participating in The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle campaign, which raises funds for the community.
“It’s really expensive to live in Cordova because…you have the normal expenses but then they tack on shipping,” Mead said, adding that a head of cabbage—a staple of some recipes favored by food pantry recipients—retails for $14.
Mead said volunteering is part of carrying out the Great Commission—by meeting basic needs, recipients might be receptive to a spiritual message.
“I truly believe that if you’re in a position where you can help out somebody else, then we should,” she said. “Of course, you have to have boundaries and lines but everybody needs a helping hand. I needed a helping hand when I was a young adult and got a helping hand.”
Jose Puga: Reaching out with hope
AS DAWN BREAKS OVER SANTA MONICA, California, Salvation Army outreach workers take to the streets alongside the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) to engage with individuals experiencing homelessness.
“As the Hope Team, we join to tell them about alternative options to sleeping on the streets,” said Jose Puga, member of the Hope Team, which operates as part of the Homeless Liaison Program with the SMPD focused on relationship building, networking, outreach, education and enforcement. What sets Puga apart is his personal experience— having graduated from Santa Monica’s Adult Rehabilitation Center, he knows firsthand the struggles of substance abuse.
“We make connections with people because we can understand their perspective,” Puga said. “We just tell them, ‘I’ve been in your shoes before; understand how you may be feeling.’”
If someone isn’t interested in further case management, the Hope Team invites them to the corps’ hot meal program.
“We’ve found that, at the very least, people are willing to join our feeding program,” Puga said. “This gives us ongoing opportunities to engage.”
He tells people it’s not too late to grow or break patterns, and he’s willing to offer support.
HIT PLAY ON
“We’ll make hundreds of calls to ensure someone gets the assistance they need,” he said. “Even if someone is at their rock bottom, there’s always a way to get back up and find a different path.”
Brenda Mallindine:
Delivering “Dog Day” healing
EVERY THIRD WEDNESDAY, on “Dog Day,” GO TEAM Therapy
Dogs and their handlers visit students of Cardinal Academy, a charter high school for pregnant and parenting youth, in partnership with and on-site at The Salvation Army Boise (Idaho) Corps’ Booth Program.
The Booth Program, which provides wraparound services for the students, coordinates the visits as a de-stressor for everyone.
About six dogs and their handlers visit with students and staff. Some of the teams are regulars, like Brenda Mallindine, who visits with Buster, a 5-year-old Bouvier des Flandres/Bernedoodle mix.
“I remember when I was in high school—you’ve got a lot going on, trying to figure out what you’re going to do, who you are, who you want to be,” Mallindine said. “There’s nothing more grounding than getting on the ground or on the floor with the dog and petting them and feeling that connection.
Inspired by these examples of hope?
Discover their full stories and more at caringmagazine.org.
Whether you’re a student or whoever, that kind of puts everything back in perspective.”
Mallindine said she’s watched students graduate and babies become toddlers in her years of consistent visits.
“We get to interact with the babies, and we get to interact with students and the staff… It’s a special place in a lot of women’s hearts, because these young couples are having babies so early in life, and we just want to support them as much as possible.”
Donna Erlandson: Creating space for all abilities
IN ANACORTES, WASHINGTON, Advisory Board Chair Donna Erlandson has helped make The Salvation Army an inclusive place for adults with intellectual disabilities.
“It’s just showing them they’re caredabout members of our community,” Erlandson said. “We’re here to help them, love them and show them how important they are and what they’re capable of.”
The corps partners with Cascadia Clubhouse, a nonprofit supporting adults with developmental disabilities. Together, they host a weekly respite center offering drop-in, unstructured free time. Participants can attend independently on Fridays throughout the day, without needing a caretaker or parent present. Monthly Life Skills Club sessions are further designed to help attendees build specific skills for everyday tasks.
“My daughter has a disability,” Erlandson said. “When she was a child, we didn’t know what to do or what resources were available, so we navigated that journey alone and learned a lot. Now, I support others wherever they are on that journey.”
Erlandson supports participants with transportation to and from the corps and helps reinforce their learning. In recognition of her dedication, Erlandson and her husband, Doug Erlandson, received The Salvation Army William Booth Award for their support of those with disabilities in Anacortes.
“It’s not work; it’s just inclusion,” Erlandson said. “It’s a matter of making sure individuals with disabilities are welcomed into our community with open arms and given opportunities to contribute and thrive.” C |
This show turns wishful thinking into hopeful thinking, and hopeful thinking into action.
We’re reclaiming the meaning of “doing good,” of giving, of volunteering—of action.
Because you don’t need to do anything “big” to have a big impact.
If you’re one of the hopefuls, follow or subscribe to The Do Gooders Podcast now and let’s explore making a difference day-to-day together.
caringmagazine.org/podcast
DO GOOD THE DO GOODERS PODCAST
WE REALLY DO APPRECIATE THE FRIENDSHIP… THE SALVATION ARMY RELATIONSHIP THAT’S BEEN MORE THAN 40 YEARS IN THE MAKING.
—Steve Schrobilgen
With Walmart’s help, The Salvation Army reached more families in need last Christmas
BY HILLARY JACKSON
Aseemingly unending array of gift bags and packages wrapped in black and white patterned paper were plucked from under a pair of Christmas trees and carried by Walmart employees to a table in front of the Sarkisian family.
As the gifts piled up, the impact became overwhelming—both for the Sarkisians and those in attendance of the event held Dec. 6, 2024, outside the Walmart in Burbank, California, which marked the ceremonial launch of The Salvation Army and Walmart’s partnership for the Angel Tree and Red Kettle campaigns.
“We probably need to use one of our delivery vans to get it over to their house,” said Steve Schrobilgen, then Walmart Senior Vice President of Operations and The Salvation Army National Advisory Board Member. Schrobilgen is now the Chief Operating Officer End to End for Walmart Canada.
Like many families who receive support from The Salvation Army, the Sarkisians filled out a Christmas wish list. They emigrated to the U.S. from Iraq 12 years ago and connected with The Salvation Army, which was able to help them.
The Burbank Walmart store fulfilled every item from their list as part of their support of The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree campaign.
“Thank you for everything,” Arsen Sarkisian said. “The surprise for Christmas not just helped my family, it’s helped me—because even for me, [I received] toys and some stuff for my home.”
On Christmas, countless families like the Sarkisians had clothes and toys under the tree thanks to the generous partnership of Walmart, which has supported The Salvation Army’s mission in brightening the holidays for those in need for more than 40 years, often providing critical assistance, shelter and food.
Through Schrobilgen’s leadership in Walmart’s Western Business Unit and as a member of The Salvation Army’s National Advisory Board, the long-standing partnership has been revitalized, aiming to help more people in need.
“At Walmart, we try and are striving to make it not only the best place to work, but we also want it to be the best place to shop. In order for us to do that…our purpose is that we’ve got to help people save money and live better,”
Schrobilgen said. “The Salvation Army helps fulfill that cause by helping each other live better within the communities we serve, so that partnership, I think, is super important.”
Last July, Schrobilgen led a group of 13 Market Managers and Store Managers from the Western Business Unit on a tour of the Harbor Light Center and the Joseph McFee Center in San Francisco. The impact trickled down into local markets, like Burbank, where Burbank Store Manager Hal Halmon was encouraged to increase the store’s engagement.
Halmon not only ensured the Sarkisians’ wish list was fulfilled but helped The Salvation Army Glendale-Burbank Corps with the food needed to serve a Thanksgiving meal to 150 people, supplied countless toys for children registered through Angel Tree and presented Glendale-Burbank Corps Officer Captain Quinton Markham with a local grant for $3,000 at the event to ensure the rest of the toys needed could be purchased.
“I am a little boy from Detroit, Michigan…I know what it is for lights not to be on. I know what it is to have a [Cheez Whiz] sandwich. I know what it is to have to walk to school or walk to work. So…it means something personal to me,” he said. “It meant that everything that I went through in life, and where I am in life now, that I can finally give back.”
Salvation Army units are invited to engage in Walmart’s Spark Good programs to submit activity requests for Angel Tree and Red Kettle campaigns to take place at Walmart and Sam’s Club locations. Walmart Store and club managers collaborate with local Salvation Army units to help execute the campaigns.
Beyond the holiday campaign, many local Salvation Army units engage in Walmart Spark Good year-round to apply for grants, host volunteerism events and reserve space in front of Walmart locations.
For Christmas, Schrobilgen worked with Walmart leadership to help champion the impact local units have in serving the community. This included helping build a deeper connection between the stores/clubs and the local
Steve Schrobilgen (left) and the Sarkisian family |PHOTO BY JOHN DOCTER
units to strengthen community support for the holiday season. They also encouraged store and club managers to hold activations beyond the national partnership, including joining in a weekend of volunteering as bellringers.
That weekend, The Salvation Army Western Territory reported $527,052 was raised at Walmart stores, including over $132,000 raised by Walmart volunteers who signed up through Register to Ring.
“We really do appreciate the friendship…The Salvation Army relationship that’s been more than 40 years in the making,” Schrobilgen said.
The impact continues in the communities across the Western U.S.
In Tulare, an agricultural area in California’s Central Valley region, Walmart associates volunteered with The Salvation Army to assemble food boxes for local families. By leveraging the Walmart Spark Good volunteerism program, the local Salvation Army unit reported receiving $9,500 to support ongoing programs that provide food, shelter and other critical services.
At the furthest north Walmart in Fairbanks, Alaska, standing outside for kettles can be tough due to the frigid temperatures, said Fairbanks Corps Officer Captain Jon Tollerud.
“This year, [Store Manager] Joe and his team actually stood at the kettle stands on Dec. 14,” he said. “This gave us a shot in the arm in a down year.”
More than 100 Walmart associates in Northern California volunteered to sort hundreds of toys delivered through the Angel Tree program, ensuring they were ready for distribution to families in need.
In Solano County, California, Suisun City Kroc Cen-
ter Corps Officer Lt. Andrew Flockhart said no volunteers had signed up for the Dixon Walmart location after several weeks. Several days later, Flockhart said associates stepped up to volunteer and the store had raised $300, through the Walmart Spark Good volunteerism program.
In the weeks following, the Kroc Center got similar offers from Walmart stores in nearby Suisun, Vacaville and Fairfield.
“They even generated some friendly competition between them, picking a weekend where they competed to see which Walmart could raise the most funds in their kettle,”
Flockhart said, adding the Dixon and Suisun Walmart locations arranged to have local fire and police departments join in the competition.
The result? The Suisun City Kroc Center reported the four Walmart locations raised $2,379 through their employees and partnerships, which Flockhart said helped the corps surpass its gross income from the previous year.
“These Walmarts really went above and beyond in their partnership with us last season,” he said. “In addition to [the kettles], they helped us collect enough Angel Tree donations to help 944 children receive Christmas presents and they provided donations of toys and food to support our holiday programs.”
In the Pacific Northwest, Divisional Commander Lt. Colonel Cindy Foley said Angel Trees and/or kettles were present in all 80 of the Walmart locations division-wide in 2024.
“Walmart is a longstanding partner with The Salvation Army, but the expanded opportunities are injecting a fresh spirit of creativity into our efforts, growing our relationships with store managers and deepening our joint commitment to meeting the needs of the local community,” she said.
Foley said five days after Angel Trees had gone up, Puyallup (Washington) Corps Officer Captain Ryan Miller reported receiving more than 500 toys from the three Walmart stores in East Pierce County.
Chehalis Walmart Store Manager Matt Alexander said lighthearted competition among associates brought holiday cheer—bells would often ring out when they received a donation. The Chehalis Walmart also devoted prime real estate, inside the store, to The Salvation Army for the Angel Tree campaign.
“It warms my heart in a way,” Alexander said. “I know what I’m doing to help someone…it may not be what see directly. I know somewhere somebody is having a better day because helped an organization that gave back to them.”
Western Territorial Commander Commissioner Douglas Riley received a note from one of the managers who participated in the trip to the programs in San Francisco.
It read: “I remember going to The Salvation Army church, filling out a form to tell them what I wanted for Christmas…Just filling out the form made me feel special. was so happy to think that I might actually get a gift from Santa. My family had to go to the food bank on a weekly basis just to receive food.
“I will forever be grateful for the help that my family received and the fact that I got a toy that I was able to open up that Christmas. No family should have the stress about gifts for kids, no family on top of that should have to be worried about paying bills or eating. I remember that feeling all too well. I remember
being so happy for the gift that got from The Salvation Army.”
“This partnership is going to bring hope and love and the story of Christmas to other people,” Riley said. “Be blessed in knowing what you’re doing and the impact that you make. It’s significant.”
In total, during the 2024 holiday season, The Salvation Army Western Territory reported Walmart stores across the Western Territory raised $4,363,686, up nearly 17 percent from 2023. Additionally, the Angel Tree campaign saw a dramatic increase, both in the total number of angels adopted (up 134 percent) and in the total number of in-kind items donated (up 94 percent).
Western Territory Chief Secretary Colonel Eddie Vincent and Intermountain Divisional Commander Major Nesan Kistan attended the Walmart West Business Unit Managers Meeting in Denver in early 2025, where they thanked the Walmart leaders for their partnership at Christmas.
Reflecting on the impact of the collaboration, Vincent said, “At the heart of this partnership is the shared belief that no one should be left behind during the holidays. We extend our deepest gratitude to Walmart for helping us brighten the season for so many families.” C |
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TO JOIN FORCES WITH THE SALVATION ARMY? Explore
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Above left: Walmart store associates attend the Red Kettle Kickoff in Burbank, California. Middle: Associates decorate the Angel Tree in the Walmart store in Santa Clara, California. Right: Associates gather around a red kettle outside the Walmart in Ridgecrest, California.
In addressing the housing crisis, The Salvation Army is committed to excellence
Ten critical elements create transformational environments for those experiencing homelessness.
BY CHRISTOPHER HOGAN
The state of homelessness in the U.S. is incredibly concerning to The Salvation Army. Consider the following statistics:
In its 2024 Annual Assessment Report, the Department of Housing and Urban Development estimated that between 2023–2024, homelessness in the U.S. increased by a staggering 18 percent, with approximately 770,000 people experiencing it during that period. This rise in the number of unhoused people can be attributed to a myriad of factors, including stagnant wages, poor access to affordable health care, lack of affordable housing and a rise in mental health and substance abuse rates.
The lack of affordable rental units, combined with 44 percent of all U.S. workers not earning a livable wage, provides clear insight into the difficulties those with low incomes face. Despite the national average hourly wage being $35.68, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a far too high percentage of the unhoused make less than the average of $23 per hour to be able to afford rent. This problem is so prevalent that it is estimated that 50 percent of renters spend more than 30 percent of their income on rent and utilities.
Mental health and addiction rates are on the rise as well. In a review and meta-analysis published in JAMA Psychiatry, the current rate of mental health disorders among people experiencing homelessness is 67 percent. Despite the
The Salvation Army Western Territory has:
challenge the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has in terms of obtaining accurate numbers on rates of substance abuse among the unhoused, it is estimated that 38 percent are dependent on alcohol, and an additional 26 percent abuse drugs. These are heart-wrenching statistics, and one could naturally conclude The Salvation Army needs to do more. know that is the internal pressure most large homeless service providers feel. Yet the reality is, here in the western U.S., we are doing a great deal to address the homelessness crisis.
The Salvation Army Western Territory currently has 50 emergency shelters, 59 transitional housing programs, five permanent supportive housing programs, 18 Adult Rehabilitation Centers, 13 stand-alone addiction treatment programs and 37 senior living residences. Those programs combined provide a total capacity of 14,803 beds per night. In addition, in fiscal year 2024, the territory provided over 3.8 million nights of lodging.
The Salvation Army will always respond to meet increased needs when and where it can. As our founder William Booth once said, “While women weep, as they do now, I’ll fight. While little children go hungry, as they do now, I’ll fight. While men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I’ll fight. While there is a drunkard left, while there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, while
there remains one dark soul without the light of God, I’ll fight. I’ll fight to the very end!”
Built on our strong spiritual foundation, The Salvation Army social service operation is focused on supporting, equipping, encouraging and uplifting others. It is grounded in a deep-seated belief that within every individual is incredible God-given possibility, and it is our job to create environments that help remove the barriers—mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually—that impede others from connecting to it fully.
Scripture teaches us can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13), and we hold that vision for others. To create these transformational environments, we must hold ourselves to the standard of creating programs of excellence.
Ensuring excellence
A “program of excellence” has as many as 10 critical elements: (1) meets an identified community need; (2) demonstrates a commitment to providing responsive spiritual care; (3) shows a dedication to infusing best practice thinking in the program design; (4) maintains a clear sense of purpose, planning and direction; (5) ensures strong administrative oversight; (6) operates with efficiency and effectiveness; (7) creates a culture of support for Salvation Army officers and staff; (8) implements strong outcomes and data collection systems; (9) shows an intentionality to grow leaders; and (10) pursues new partnerships and possibilities with vigor. Programs of excellence create true impact on the lives of others, and when we have made that impact, it engenders a deep trust between the program participants and the organization. Developing that trust has so many tangible benefits, including opportunities to engage people in their spiritual growth and development; increased community support, engagement and recognition; and improved fundraising and staff retention.
The Salvation Army Western Territory has many programs of excellence, and they are making a tremendous difference in the lives of others. The question we must ask organizationally is how we can create more of them, and how we can effectively meet the ever-increasing needs of those we serve.
First, if there is a Salvation Army program not currently meeting that criterion of excellence (typically due to funding challenges), our systemic focus should be to train, equip, resource and support that local unit to increase its impact.
What makes a social services program excellent?
1. Meets an identified community need.
2. Demonstrates a commitment to providing responsive spiritual care.
3. Shows a dedication to infusing best practice thinking in the program design.
4. Maintains a clear sense of purpose, planning and direction.
5. Ensures strong administrative oversight.
6. Operates with efficiency and effectiveness.
7. Creates a culture of support for Salvation Army officers and staff.
8. Implements strong outcomes and data collection systems.
9. Shows an intentionality to grow leaders.
10. Pursues new partnerships and possibilities with vigor.
In certain rare instances, we may need to strategically abandon a program that cannot function well due to funding shortages. While we always want to advance as a social service organization, sometimes it may be better to temporarily close, regroup and examine other approaches to meeting community needs. That is not a regression. It is a commitment to always being a good steward of resources, allowing us the opportunity to reposition and reinvigorate a local operation.
The Western Territorial Social Services Department has gone through a restructuring process in the past year to increase support to Divisional Social Service Departments as they help local programs pursue and achieve programmatic excellence.
Our new Director of Research and Development will help keep the organization on top of the latest best practice research to strengthen existing program models and help foster innovation with the introduction of new program models that fit our mission.
Our new Director of Operations will help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of local operations through operational scans and the development and execution of well-written policies and procedures. The Director of Quality Assurance will spearhead the launch of a new Territorial Program Evaluation Process, ensuring that all programs meet our National Social Service Standards.
Finally, our new Director of Training and Development will help create impactful training and onboarding processes and a robust on-demand learning environment.
We are excited to boldly take on the challenges of supporting such a diverse and comprehensive social services operation across the West.
see such strength in our officers and employees, and so many examples of impactful social service ministry. We will meet the ever-increasing needs in our communities by being faithful, working hard, collaborating internally and externally, fostering innovation and providing dedicated support to those on the front lines who are doing God’s meaningful work. C
Christopher Hogan is the Territorial Social Services Director in The Salvation Army USA Western Territory.
SEE HOW THE SALVATION ARMY PROVIDES IMMEDIATE RELIEF and lasting solutions through emergency shelters, transitional housing and permanent support services—then join us in Creating pathways to stability at caringmagazine.org/fight-homelessness.
BEYOND STATS
How 14,803 Salvation Army beds each night translates to real human impact from Alaska to Arizona.
While statistics paint a sobering picture of homelessness across America, The Salvation Army Western Territory is responding with innovative, effective solutions tailored to local needs. As Territorial Social Services Director Christopher Hogan notes, addressing homelessness requires “programs of excellence” that combine spiritual care, best practices, clear purpose, strong operations and meaningful outcomes.
The following vignettes showcase these principles in action across the West—from tiny home communities in Washington to safe parking programs in Oregon, employment initiatives in California to emergency heat relief in Arizona. Each story represents one piece of the comprehensive approach that provides over 3.8 million nights of lodging annually through nearly 180 specialized housing programs.
These examples demonstrate how The Salvation Army creates environments that help people overcome barriers—mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually—to realize their God-given potential and achieve sustainable independence.
PALMER, ALASKA
Bellringer finds support and hope at local corps
Homeless and living in a car, John Thomas approached The Salvation Army Mat-Su Valley Corps in Palmer, Alaska, for a bellringer position. Ministry Leader Troy Cook recognized Thomas needed more than employment.
Cook connected Thomas and his wife with Family Services Coordinator Sheryl Tichenor, who arranged hotel accommodations, food pantry access and support services.
During their four-week hotel stay, Thomas’s background check cleared and he became a paid bellringer.
“For me, it was the emotional support, not just the job. It was both,” Thomas said.
The couple now works toward permanent housing while dreaming of building a cabin. Thomas’s advice to others facing similar challenges: “Don’t lose hope. There are still people out there who are willing to help.”
PORTLAND, OREGON
A safe place to park—and reset lives
Portland’s Sunderland Safe Park opened in July 2023 as a joint city-county project aimed at transitioning people from street living to permanent housing. Managed by The Salvation Army, the gated facility accommodates 55 RVs housing up to 110 adults and their pets.
The park offers comprehensive amenities: six full bathrooms with showers, laundry facilities, daily hot meals, and a 24/7 food pantry. On-site case managers work with residents while the facility maintains round-the-clock staffing.
Executive Director Justin Moshkowski notes the psychological transformation takes time. “It can take a month, maybe two, for people to settle in and start to reset,” he said. “They have to adapt from a survival mindset... to realizing that food is always accessible and their stuff is safe.”
This security restores dignity. “When you’re not staying up to keep your stuff safe...you can sleep all night,” Moshkowski said.
OLIVEHURST, CALIFORNIA
The final step before home
Hope Vista, an eight-house transitional living community in Olivehurst, California, serves as the critical bridge between homelessness and permanent housing for families in Yuba and Sutter counties. Initially created to house Camp Fire survivors in 2019, it now operates as
the region’s only dedicated transitional housing program.
The Salvation Army partners with both counties to support residents who are already engaged with county services. Major Julius Murphy, who oversees the program, reports a 95 percent success rate for securing permanent housing, with most families staying just 45 days or less.
“I’m excited about what happens at Hope Vista,” Murphy said. “With a lot of the families, the kids will walk in and say, ‘I get my own room.’ They never had that before.”
Hope Vista provides a peaceful, home-like environment that prepares families for their permanent residences, while county social workers continue support after families move on.
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA
Donors fund critical shelter for unhoused women
Despite Silicon Valley’s wealth and innovation, Santa Clara (California) County houses the nation’s fourth-largest homeless population, with single older women representing a particularly vulnerable demographic.
“Historically, there are more beds for men, but single women are underserved,” said The Salvation Army Silicon Valley Administrator Major Daniel Freeman. “Without a police encounter, addiction or mental health issues, or children, there are only about a dozen beds available to more than 500 single women on a nightly basis.”
The Salvation Army’s Emmanuel House, a 65-year-old facility providing comprehensive services for men, is now expanding through donor funding to create a separate, secure 50-bed wing for women—making it the largest shelter for unhoused single women in the region.
Donor and Emmanuel House Advisory Board Member Maria Belusar said the addition of a women’s wing “demonstrates The Salvation Army’s dedication to adapting to the community’s needs, as well as providing a safe environment for those who are most vulnerable.”
HILO, HAWAII
Overnight safe space provides crucial rest for Hilo’s unhoused
In Hilo, Hawaii—America’s wettest city with 130 inches of annual rainfall—The Salvation Army has created an essential overnight refuge for those experiencing homelessness.
The Hilo Overnight Safe Space offers a low-barrier, pet-friendly shelter under a tent on the corps grounds from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., protecting guests from both harsh weather and security concerns.
IT’S REALLY FOR THEM TO COME IN AND SLEEP AND NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT GETTING ABUSED, GETTING THEIR BELONGINGS STOLEN AND JUST GETTING A GOOD NIGHT’S REST.
—Captain Felicia LeMar, Corps Officer, Hilo, Hawaii
“It’s really for them to come in and sleep and not have to worry about getting abused, getting their belongings stolen and just getting a good night’s rest,” said Corps Officer Captain Felicia LeMar.
The impact was immediate. After the first night, one guest stretched, yawned and declared: “That was the best sleep I had in weeks. And I’ll be back tonight.”
LeMar said, “That’s really what it’s about—so they could get a good night’s rest and go and be productive.”
INTERMOUNTAIN
Critical first link in crisis response
The Connection Center serves as a vital lifeline across Colorado, Montana, Utah and Wyoming, handling nearly 2,800 calls monthly with just six case managers providing emergency assistance, resource referrals and housing navigation.
“We are the first call most people make in crisis,” said Program Manager Logan Ray. “We encounter people who are suicidal. We have people in active domestic violence who call us...We work with documented and undocumented families. We see a very big population of people.”
Rather than simply adding callers to waitlists, the Center provides immediate solutions—connecting people with food banks, clothing resources, shower facilities, diapers, formula and transportation to in-person services when needed.
“There’s a lot more navigation that goes on besides that initial like, ‘Hey, I need to be put on the list,’” Ray said, noting they provide weekly case management to callers.
LONGVIEW, WASHINGTON
Tiny homes create pathways to recovery
The Longview, Washington, HOPE Village, a 50-unit tiny home community, has helped some 100 formerly “unhouseable” individuals achieve permanent housing since opening in December 2022.
“The premise of the model was to help house these unhouseable people, but really what’s proven to be the biggest impact, think, is stabilization of that population,” said Longview Temple Corps Officer Major Phil Smith. The program has evolved to better support recovery—allowing residents exited for drug use to skip the waitlist after completing inpatient treatment. Through partnerships with 19 service organizations, an estimated 75 percent of residents now receive substance
use counseling, mental health support or both.
“We’re really proud of those numbers,” said Site Manager Hollie Hillman. “We’re just seeing people really getting their hope back…Just with our staff telling them that every day: ‘You’re worth it. You can do this.’”
MORENO VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
Work program
builds skills and stability
Since 2017, the Homeless to Work (H2W) program has provided employment opportunities to people experiencing homelessness in Moreno Valley, California. Starting with just 10 participants annually, H2W has expanded to Banning, Beaumont and Cabazon, serving 178 individuals to date, with 50 more this year.
Participants earn income through community beautification projects—planting flowers, maintaining trees, removing graffiti and collecting litter—while gaining workforce experience. Recently, H2W enhanced its impact by adding a Life Skills Program, offering classes in financial literacy, communication, conflict resolution and time management.
“We’re incredibly proud of each individual’s journey and deeply grateful to the dedicated staff, volunteers and community partners who make this work possible,” said Mark Davis, Director of Social Services for The Salvation Army Riverside and Moreno Valley.
With a 78 percent success rate, many participants secure stable employment, housing and healthcare, successfully rebuilding independent lives.
CHANDLER, ARIZONA
Life-saving respite from triple-digit heat
When temperatures soar past 100 degrees in Arizona, The Salvation Army opens critical relief centers. In Chandler, up to 80 people—primarily those experiencing homelessness—find daily sanctuary during extended heat waves.
“The majority of those who come are unsheltered,” said Corps Officer Lt. Loren Philpot. “We give them cots to sleep in, as well as the clothes, sunglasses, hats and sunscreen donated by the community. They can get breakfast and lunch if they’re hungry, and take a shower or do their laundry.”
Beyond physical needs, the center provides spiritual support through its chapel and connects visitors with social services for overnight housing and employment opportunities.
“I try to put myself in the position of anyone who comes in,” Philpot said. “I know that if it were me, would want a friend.” |
“Above all,
love.”
1 PETER 4:8
The Salvation Army annually helps more than 27 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food, emergency disaster relief, rehabilitation services, clothing and shelter, The Salvation Army is meeting human needs without discrimination at 6,400 centers of operation across the country.
The Salvation Army helps those in need 365 days a year.
And last year? Some 1,448,964 people dedicated their time and energy to volunteering for The Salvation Army.
Gifts to The Salvation Army help your neighbors navigate food insecurity, unexpected job loss, eviction concerns and devastating natural disasters. While dollars can be quantified, the power of your love cannot.
caringmagazine.org/give
“
YOU WALK IN AND FEEL LIKE YOU’RE IN A GOURMET MARKET. YOU FEEL GOOD BECAUSE IT’S SO ATTRACTIVE.
—Lt.
Colonel Cindy Foley, Northwest Divisional Commander
HOPE MARKETS TRANSFORM FOOD ASSISTANCE
How The Salvation Army’s client-choice model is reducing waste, building relationships and restoring hope one shopping trip at a time
BY CHRISTIN THIEME
In a transformed corner of a former bowling alley in Bellingham, Washington, shoppers select fresh produce under gentle misters and browse grocery-style shelving. This isn’t a typical market—it’s The Salvation Army’s reimagined approach to food assistance that’s reshaping how communities address hunger.
“You walk in and feel like you’re in a gourmet market. You feel good because it’s so attractive,” said Northwest Divisional Commander Lt. Colonel Cindy Foley, who’s led the effort to convert all the division’s food pantries to “Hope Markets”—where clients shop for their own food rather than receiving pre-packed boxes.
This shift from transaction to relationship represents a fundamental change in philosophy. Traditional food banks typically distribute pre-selected boxes, an efficient but impersonal approach that often results in waste and missed opportunities for deeper connection.
“Just drive through and get a pre-selected food box, that’s transactional,” Foley said. “There isn’t time for conversation to explore what your other needs are. Most families come to us for food or utility assistance, but they have other needs. We want to develop relationships and earn the right to walk with you toward stable living.”
This relational approach comes at a critical time when more than 47 million Americans face hunger—including one in five children—according to the USDA’s annual Household Food Insecurity report.
In such a landscape, the access provided by Hope Markets represents more than just food distribution; it offers a pathway to comprehensive support.
In Puyallup, Washington, this support transformed life for Maricel, who first came to the Hope Market after her husband died suddenly.
“I was crying in the line,” said Maricel, a mother of three sons with autism. “I couldn’t stop myself crying because I usually don’t go for food, and my husband for 30 years took care of us.”
Beyond food, Maricel needed help with funeral
Stacy Bleuel assists Maricel as she selects food items for her family at the Hope Market in Puyallup, Washington.
PHOTOS BY ROSS ELLINGSON
expenses. The Salvation Army assisted through a special program, beginning a relationship that continues as she visits weekly to select foods that support her family’s needs and her own health during cancer treatment.
“I found a place here that can go to,” Maricel said. “My hope is built up in the way that there’s someone in there. There’s somebody there who can help you.”
From waste reduction to community partnerships
The Hope Market model addresses practical concerns too. In the traditional model, clients often received items they couldn’t use or didn’t want.
“Food box ministries see increased food waste,” Foley said. “If we knew you wanted corn instead of green beans, we would’ve given you that. People will throw away what we give them if it’s not what they can use.”
She described one older woman who received a 10-pound bag of flour in a pre-packed box. “That weight wasn’t appropriate for her transportation needs, riding the bus, so she left it outside the door,” Foley said.
In Great Falls, Montana, where a Hope Market opened in May 2024, Director of Family Services Teresa Hill sees the difference daily. “We don’t have as much waste because people were bringing back a lot of the stuff in the premade boxes that they didn’t eat or couldn’t eat,” she said.
The model’s flexibility allows for a more complete approach to nutrition. Rather than being limited to shelf-stable items, Hope Markets provide fresh produce, refrigerated and frozen foods—including to those experiencing homelessness.
The beauty of the concept lies in its scalability.
Rather than being limited to shelf-stable items, Hope Markets provide fresh produce, refrigerated and frozen foods to clients who shop for their own food.
While Bellingham’s facility spans 13,810 square feet (transformed with a $500,000 USDA grant), Anacortes operates out of a classroom-sized space. “We call it a little Trader Joe’s,” Foley said, noting it still serves thousands annually.
Of the 25 corps in the Northwest Division, 21 now use the client-choice model, with three more in progress. Renton, Washington, represents the division’s longest-running client-choice pantry, operating for some 24 years.
These markets have also become powerful tools for building community partnerships. “Because they’re attractive, efficient and effective, we’ve seen a huge increase in the amount of food program partners are giving us,” Foley said.
SUCCESS IS WHEN PEOPLE WALK OUT WITH A BASKET FULL OF FOOD, WHEN KIDS AREN’T GOING HUNGRY. I KNOW WHAT IT’S LIKE TO RUN OUT OF FOOD STAMPS AND BE STRESSED AND WORRIED ABOUT WHERE MY KIDS’ NEXT MEAL IS GOING TO COME FROM.
—Stacy Bleuel, Puyallup Social Services Coordinator
More than 47 million people in the U.S. face hunger, including 1 in 5 children, according to the USDA. In 2023 alone, more than 50 million people turned to charitable food assistance for extra help.
In Great Falls, those partnerships yield impressive results—approximately 50,000 pounds of food monthly from Sam’s Club and 10,000 pounds from Walmart. Local food producers have joined too. In Montana, Hutterite farming colonies donate surplus harvests, while in Longview, Washington, local growers provide excess crops that would otherwise be discarded. As intended, the impact extends beyond food assistance. In most locations, clients first meet with case workers who can connect them to other services from community lunch programs to rent and utility assistance. And Hope Market staff and volunteers are trained not only in how to be relational but on what local programs and services are available.
“If we see you have three children, we can say, ‘Oh, do you know we have summer camp, free music lessons, a scouting program on Tuesdays and so on as we develop that trust,” Foley said. “If you come to us twice a month for six months and we become a friend to you, you’re going to begin to confide in us about your needs.”
The numbers tell a compelling story. Across the Northwest Division, Hope Markets served 457,407 individuals in 2024, including nearly 197,000 first-time clients. In Great Falls, the switch to client-choice doubled their service numbers from 300-400 to 800-1,000 monthly.
For staff like Stacy Bleuel in Puyallup, “Success is when people walk out with a basket full of food, when kids aren’t going hungry. know what it’s like to run out of food stamps and be stressed and worried about where my kids’ next meal is going to come from.”
As the Northwest Division completes its Hope Market implementation across all locations, the vision is expanding beyond the region. “This Hope Market model is so mission-focused and appropriate to the DNA of The Salvation Army and our roots of providing loving ministry and getting to know people,” Foley said.
The name itself captures the essence of what these spaces provide.
“We decided to brand all Hope Markets this way because we believe this model does give you hope,” Foley said. “Tomorrow can be better, and there are people who care for you.” C |
Top: Lt. Colonel Cindy Foley welcomes supporters to the opening of the Bellingham, Washington, Hope Market. Above and right: Fresh produce and grocery style shelving are a feature of the Bellingham facility.
DAY CARE CENTER LIFTS BURDEN FROM WORKING PARENTS
The Salvation Army’s Los Angeles Day Care provides crucial support for low-income families while fostering community involvement.
BY HILLARY JACKSON
PHOTOS BY JOHN DOCTER
Inside Sal Tex Fabrics, colorful rolls of fabric create a labyrinth of patterns and textures—the starting point of many creative endeavors. For longtime employee Griselda Ramos, this shop was also where her daughter, Elena, spent her early months due to a lack of childcare.
Her boss told her: “Just bring her to work. We’ll manage here.”
While the team kept spirits high, and helped care for Elena, there were challenges.
“It was really stressful,” Ramos said. “When she started walking, we had to be behind her all the time.”
Everything changed when Elena turned 2.5 and could enter The Salvation Army Los Angeles Day Care Center, located within walking distance from the shop.
“When she started at the escuelita, we were like, ‘Now we can breathe,’” Ramos said. “It gave us a peace of mind—a whole new level. I can concentrate on what I have to do.”
The Salvation Army Los Angeles Day Care Center has supported children of low-income families since 1922.
Teacher Esmeralda Torija (right) leads her class to the playground with Lorenza Munoz.
“
I LIKE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN A CHILD’S LIFE, BECAUSE SOMETIMES THEY COME FROM A BACKGROUND THAT’S NOT REALLY SAFE. WE’RE HERE FOR SUPPORT.
— Maria Rodriguez, LA Day Care Center Director
The parental stress crisis
Parents in America report significantly higher stress levels than adults without children—48 percent claimed their stress is completely overwhelming most days compared to 26 percent of other adults, according to 2023 data.
Major stressors include financial strain from child care costs and employment insecurity, according to a 2024 advisory from then U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy. U.S. child care prices have grown by approximately 26 percent in the last decade, with 66 percent of parents reporting “feeling consumed” by money worries.
“Being a dad is the toughest and most rewarding job I’ve ever had,” Murthy said in the advisory. “The work of parenting is essential not only for the health of children but also for the health of society…The stresses parents and caregivers have today are being passed to children in direct and indirect ways, impacting families and communities across America.”
The Salvation Army Los Angeles Day Care Center has supported children of low-income families since 1922, evolving to a dedicated day care program in the 1930s. Today, the state-licensed facility serves families working in LA’s fashion, produce and flower districts.
The center is state-funded with fees based on income guidelines, though Director Maria Rodriguez said most families qualify for free care. In these industries, many workers earn minimum wage—or lower. The U.S. Labor Department found in 2022, 80 percent of the surveyed garment contractors violated labor standards, with one paying employees just $1.58 an hour.
“Parents have to work no matter what,” Rodriguez said. “It’s hard, but a lot of them are [in that situation].”
Creating a safe haven for kids
Rodriguez’s heart is with the program—it’s been her only job for 31 years, starting as a high school volunteer.
Left: Kids from the LA Day Care program play on the center’s outdoor play structure. Top: Inside Sal Tex Fabrics, where Griselda Ramos worked and cared for her daughter, Elena, with support from her boss, Frank. Bottom: The Salvation Army Los Angeles Day Care Director Maria Rodriguez.
“I like to make a difference in a child’s life, because sometimes they come from a background that’s not really safe,” she said. “We’re here for support.”
She’s seen students return years later to enroll their own children, something she attributes to the nurturing atmosphere created by teachers like Marietta Diaz, who started in 2011.
“I give lots of motivation and activities for them to feel happy,” Diaz said. “I tell them, ‘You’re safe here. I’ll take care of you.’”
The center serves 70 children from toddlers to preschoolers in eight classrooms. Toddlers engage in play-based learning, while the preschool curriculum encourages exploration of reading, math, science and creative arts.
The center partners with other organizations to provide additional services: Baby2Baby for baby clothing, formula, shoes and hygiene items; The John Tracy Center, UCLA and Kids Dental Kare for dental, hearing and vision exams, respectively; COACH for Kids, a mobile community health program of the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, for further medical care and education; Para Los Niños for mental health and family support.
Building community as parents give back
When Ramos first found the LA Day Care over two decades ago, she had a baby girl and no trusted childcare.
“It was a relief to find this center,” she said. “After that, everything just fell into place.”
Now that child is a student at Santa Monica College—and Ramos attributes her academic success to her early education at the center. With Elena now attending, Ramos volunteers as president of the center’s parent committee, which Rodriguez said the center launched to involve parents.
“It’s not only our center, it’s a community center,” Rodriguez said. “We’re all in this together.”
The committee also runs monthly in-house museum exhibitions, one of which featured a celebration of cultures, where parents contributed clothing and artifacts representing their heritages. They
48 percent of parents said their stress is completely overwhelming most days, compared to 26 percent of other adults. Major stressors? Financial strain due to child care costs, health and education expenses and employment and income insecurity, “Parents Under Pressure,” a 2024 advisory from then U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy found.
also organize the annual fall hat parade, crafting newspaper hats the students decorate and model.
“The parents know how much help the center is, so we try to help back,” Ramos said. “For us to have our kids here, it means a lot.”
Years ago, Ramos noticed worn elastic on crib sheets during a meeting and volunteered to replace them.
“I can fix that,” she said. “How many do you need?”
She bought a roll of fabric and sewed over 50 sheets with a friend.
“We did it with so much love,” she said. | C
Griselda Ramos and her daughter, Elena
Hope amid crisis as overdose deaths decline
The Salvation Army’s three-pronged approach aligns with factors driving national reduction.
BY HALEY OSNESS
For the first time in over five years, drug overdose deaths in the United States declined, marking a hopeful shift in the fight against the fentanyl crisis. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), showed a 27 percent decrease compared to the 110,037 deaths recorded in 2023. Experts attribute this progress to targeted community interventions, expanded harm reduction efforts and increased access to naloxone—commonly known as Narcan—which became available over the counter in 2023. The nasal spray rapidly reverses opioid overdoses by blocking receptors and restoring steady breathing, typically working within two minutes.
Overdose deaths deceased by 27 percent in 2024, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“For a crisis that has been getting worse year after year, this is a step in the right direction,” said Dr. Brian Hurley, Medical Director at the Substance Abuse Prevention and Control Bureau for Los Angeles County of Public Health.
“We believe the availability of naloxone has kept more people alive than ever.”
Across the western United States, The Salvation Army is tackling the opioid crisis through three complementary strategies: direct intervention at emergency shelters, holistic rehabilitation programs and community education initiatives.
Narcan as a lifeline
Throughout Denver, The Salvation Army operates low-barrier shelters where staff carry Narcan and are prepared to respond to overdoses at any time. Nathan Parrot, Program Manager of the Denver Navigation Center, highlighted the crucial role the shelters play in a city struggling with high rates of drug use.
Parrot said that by having operations throughout the city, locals know they can turn to The Salvation Army for both immediate and long-term drug-use support.
“With Narcan, automated external defibrillators and trained staff, we can respond rapidly to an overdose,” Parrot said. “In 2024, we saved over 50 individuals from an overdose by utilizing Narcan.”
The city of Denver saw a slight decrease in overdose deaths in 2024—down 0.6 percent—marking the first decline since 2017, according to data from the Colorado Coalition.
In the same year, J’azmin Smith, a Program Administrator at The Salvation Army-operated shelters in Denver, saved 22 people from overdoses and was honored with the Lifesaver Award from Salvation Army Shelter Directors.
“I can identify those who may be at higher risk of an overdose,” Smith said. “I monitor everyone closely, watching for any signs of use or symptoms of an overdose,” which include loss of color in the face, confusion, unresponsiveness and irregular breathing.
In Modesto, California, The Salvation Army Berberian
Emergency Shelter provides beds for up to 388 guests. Shelter Director Jim Stokes reports staff members have saved at least eight people with Narcan.
“Narcan has been a game changer,” Stokes said. “If someone begins to overdose, chances are Narcan is available within a few feet.”
Their expanded training has made them a resource for the surrounding community, as they engage with individuals living on the streets and provide Narcan to those battling substance abuse.
“Some people are still deep in addiction; that doesn’t mean we should turn them away or refuse help,” Stokes said.
Through emergency shelter and support, individuals can connect to long-term recovery programs at Adult Rehabilitation Centers (ARCs).
“There’s always an option to connect people to our Adult Rehabilitation Centers,” Stokes said. In 2024, 12 individuals entered the ARC from the Berberian shelter.
Narcan is available at ARC locations across the West, but according to ARC Commander Lt. Colonel Mark Nelson, it is rarely used within the recovery program. “Thankfully, we don’t see many overdoses in our program environments,” he said.
Empowering communities through education
With the increased Narcan availability, The Salvation Army has organized free training events to educate the
UNDERSTANDING NARCAN
What it is: A medication (naloxone) that reverses opioid overdoses
How it works: Blocks opioid receptors and restores breathing
Administration: Nasal spray that works within two minutes
Availability: Over-the-counter since 2023, no prescription needed
Training: Minimal training required for effective use
public. In San Bernardino, California, The Salvation Army hosts annual training in partnership with the County Department of Public Health, educating some 100 individuals per session since 2023.
“Many community members want to make a difference and get involved,” said Naomi Kuhlman, director of programs at the San Bernardino Corps. “These training events help raise awareness and educate the public.”
The Cathedral City Corps held a similar training event in October 2024. Among the participants was Brenda Richardson, who was surprised by the medication’s simplicity.
“I was surprised to see just how easy it is. You don’t have to be a doctor to use it,” Richardson said. “Now I just keep some in the trunk of my car because you never know when you may come across an emergency.”
The recent drop in overdose deaths represents a hopeful trend, but experts caution that ongoing interventions remain crucial. Whether through education, policy advocacy or direct support, the battle requires concerted effort from multiple sectors.
“Everyone has the opportunity to learn how to reverse an overdose,” Hurley said. “By carrying Narcan, anyone can make a difference and save a life.” | C
Shielding seniors from scam surge
In
the age of AI, The Salvation Army partners with experts to help seniors avoid financial scams.
BY EMILY ANDERSON
Last year, 93-year-old Kathleen O’Haver, a long-time resident of The Salvation Army El Cajon (California) Silvercrest Senior Residence, received a troubling phone call.
The person on the other end said they were from O’Haver’s bank and she had been defrauded. They wanted to fix the issue but needed some information first.
“I trusted them,” O’Haver said, “So answered the questions.”
She shared her Social Security number, her bank account number and her Medicare information. When the person on the phone kindly asked O’Haver about her life—her first pet, her cousins’ names, her favorite color— she told them.
The next day, O’Haver went to Lavonna Connelly, Silvercrest service coordinator, to tell her about the call. Only then did O’Haver understand when the real fraud happened. The scammers impersonating her bank walked away with her account numbers and all the information they needed to answer security questions. All her money, her health insurance and her credit were at risk.
“I felt dreadful,” O’Haver recalled.
She isn’t alone.
The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) recorded over 100,000 elder fraud cases in 2023—a 14 percent increase from the previous year. As artificial intelligence (AI) advances, experts expect these numbers to climb even higher.
“We’re seeing criminals leverage AI as a force multiplier,” said FBI Supervisory Special Agent Nicole Gordon. “They’re using AI-generated images and voice cloning technology to mimic loved ones in distress.”
These “grandparent scams” manipulate victims’ emotions,
leaving them feeling foolish and betrayed once they discover the deception. With average losses approaching $34,000 per incident, these scams hit low-income seniors particularly hard.
“Most of our residents live on Social Security only, which averages around $1,200 a month,” said Territorial Silvercrest Quality Assurance and Resident Services Consultant Jo Stephanie Francisco. “Not very much to pay rent, pay your medical bills and pay for food and prescriptions. It doesn’t leave a whole lot on the table.”
While technology enables these scams, it also connects seniors to loved ones and essential services. That’s why Salvation Army Silvercrests—federally subsidized residences serving some 3,000 seniors across 37 locations in the western U.S.—invite experts to teach residents about safety navigating digital landscapes.
Representatives from Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) and Elder Law and Advocacy describe common scams, discuss reporting procedures and answer questions. Research from the University of Southern California Center for Economic and Social Research and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority confirms this type of repeated education helps people successfully identify and avoid fraud.
“The idea is to stop it before it happens by doing the education, repeating the education and helping residents to understand that they have other resources that they can
HOW TO SPOT A SCAM
Look out for these red flags, according to Sharon Lee, staff attorney for Elder Law and Advocacy:
• Urgent requests requiring immediate action (“act now or face consequences”)
• Callers seeking personal information or security question answers (first pet, mother’s maiden name)
• Requests for unusual payment methods (gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency)
• Small errors in grammar, spelling or branding in communications
• “Too good to be true” offers, prizes or unexpected windfalls
• Pressure to keep the conversation secret from family or friends
• Someone requesting remote access to your devices
• Unsolicited calls about problems with accounts you didn’t know existed
• Someone claiming to be from your bank, Medicare or government agency
Top: Kathleen O’Haver, a Silvercrest resident who fell prey to scammers. Bottom: Sharon Lee of Elder Law and Advocacy updates seniors on the latest tactics used by scammers.
Criminals are now using AI-generated images to create believable photos and voice cloning technology to mimic loved ones in distress. It’s a technological force multiplier for fraud, according to FBI Supervisory Special Agent Nicole Gordon.
come to if they’re not sure,” Francisco said, noting Silvercrest residents can bring suspicious items to the on-site service coordinator for review.
THE MISSION OF THE SALVATION ARMY HAS
ALWAYS BEEN ‘SOUP, SOAP AND SALVATION’ AND IN THIS INSTANCE, IT’S NOT NECESSARILY SOUP AND SOAP, BUT WE ARE MEETING A PRACTICAL NEED. IT’S LOVE IN ACTION.
— Lt. Jeffrey Boyd,
Chico (California) Corps Officer
Beyond Silvercrests, The Salvation Army extends fraud prevention across communities. In Chico, California, the corps partners with local banks to offer quarterly financial literacy classes for seniors. According to Corps Officer Lt.
Jeffrey Boyd, many attendees have already fallen victim to scams.
“Scams are sophisticated,” Boyd said. “And it really does take a professional to help them differentiate between actual bills and what to look for.”
For him, the program fits right in with The Salvation Army’s overall goal.
“The mission of The Salvation Army has always been ‘Soup, Soap and Salvation’ and in this instance, it’s not necessarily soup and soap, but we are meeting a practical need,” Boyd said. “It’s love in action.”
Back in El Cajon, Connelly’s quick action helped O’Haver minimize the damage. They immediately informed her bank and froze her credit.
Though her information remains compromised, her funds remain secure.
Now O’Haver knows what to look out for—warning signs like a sense of urgency, grammar errors and requests for small payments. Regular fraud prevention classes at her residence keep all residents updated on evolving tactics.
“I would not fall for it again,” O’Haver said. “One incident is enough.” | C
How VOAD transforms disaster response
Behind the scenes of the Eaton Fire, The Salvation Army and partner organizations demonstrated the power of strategic collaboration.
BY JARED McKIERNAN
After many major natural disasters, there’s one name that’s integral to the response efforts. It’s not FEMA. It’s not a relief agency at all.
The Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) doesn’t distribute food, deliver blankets or rebuild homes directly. Instead, it makes sure all those things—and more—happen effectively, without duplication or chaos.
Born out of the confusion following Hurricane Camille in 1969, VOAD was created to bring order to well-mean-
ing, but disorganized, relief efforts. After Camille—the second most intense hurricane to strike the continental U.S. at the time—dozens of nonprofits flooded the Gulf Coast with help, but without coordination, critical needs went unmet while others were overserved.
VOAD sought to change that, evolving into a national framework that orchestrates disaster relief across nonprofit, faith-based and community organizations. At national, state and local levels, VOAD brings together agencies that used to operate in silos and gives them a
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Silvercrest resident Suhaila Yousif enjoys a lighter moment during a discussion about fraud prevention. |PHOTO BY CONNOR TRUAX
YOU DON’T JUST SHOW UP FOR DISASTER RESPONSE ANYMORE. IN THE 1900S, YOU COULD ROLL UP WITH A BIG POT OF CHILI. THAT’S NOT HOW THINGS WORK NOW. IT’S BECOME VERY SOPHISTICATED.
– John Berglund, Western Territory Director of Emergency/Disaster Services
shared map. It defines roles, aligns communication and makes sure resources are directed exactly where they’re needed most.
“You don’t just show up for disaster response anymore,” said John Berglund, Director of Emergency/Disaster Services for The Salvation Army in the Western Territory. “In the 1900s, you could roll up with a big pot of chili. That’s not how things work now. It’s become very sophisticated.”
That sophistication came into sharp focus during the Eaton Fire.
VOAD in action: The Eaton Fire response
Antagonized by Santa Ana wind gusts of up to 90 miles per hour, the blaze tore through Eaton Canyon in Pasadena, California, with terrifying speed, beginning the evening of Jan. 7. By the next morning, more than 15 square miles had burned.
The fire would go on to destroy over 9,400 structures and claim 18 lives, making it the fifth-deadliest and second most
destructive wildfire in California history.
As first responders battled flames, VOAD members sprang into action. Each organization carved out its lane within the broader relief effort. For The Salvation Army, that lane was feeding survivors and first responders in the early days.
In coordination with the American Red Cross and a feeding taskforce that included World Central Kitchen and Operation BBQ Relief, The Salvation Army helped serve nearly thousands of meals in shelters and at its Pasadena hub.
This is where the value of VOAD becomes clear: it eliminates confusion and facilitates collaboration in a highly competitive environment. When dozens of relief organizations converge on a disaster zone, there’s often a rush to “own” services like food distribution, shelter operation or financial distribution.
As California VOAD Chair Kevin Cox said on a January call with national partners, FEMA and other agencies, “Each of you has
your strengths.” As demonstrated in the Eaton Fire, it’s essential each partner agency lean into its strengths and allow others to lean into theirs.
Case in point: one of the most delicate and demanding tasks of wildfire response is ash and debris recovery. The State of California prohibits untrained volunteers from sifting through burn sites. And for good reason — ash can contain hazardous materials, and disturbing it improperly can pose serious health and environmental risks.
However, in the early days of the Eaton Fire response, only two VOAD partners were trained and approved to handle this kind of work: Samaritan’s Purse and the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief. While the sheer scale of the Eaton Fire had stretched these seasoned teams to their limits, Cox stressed the importance of deploying only trained partners. Otherwise, they risked doing more harm than good.
“Having additional organizations [assist with sifting was] desperately needed,” Cox said. “But they must be trained and coordinated in the response.”
In this sense, VOAD ensures each organization’s role is determined not based merely on willingness or presence, but rather on preparation, capacity and real-time need.
As the real-time needs shifted in the Eaton Fire, so too did the response. Several weeks after the fires broke out, the California VOAD and the Emergency Network of Los Angeles County (or the LA County VOAD) organized a six-day Wildfire Resource Hub to provide critical services, supplies and support to hundreds of displaced individuals and families, all free of charge. That included emotional, financial and logistical support, all coordinated under one roof.
From Jan. 27–Feb. 1, alongside its partner organizations, The Salvation Army distributed immediate financial assistance to thousands of households in the form of rent payments, utility coverage and more for thousands of people suddenly left with nothing. They also distributed Bibles, snacks, cleanup kits, air purifiers, clothes and other supplies.
“A lot of the immediate emergency needs
were met in the first few weeks through different agencies coming together—providing shelter, food and meeting other needs,” said Captain Nicholas Helms, Pasadena Tabernacle Corps Officer. “Now that people are getting a little more settled back into stable housing…we’re finding that people are still in need of financial assistance. It’s been heartbreaking all around and the heartbreak is still there for a lot of people who are just figuring out where to go and what to do next. But think there’s been a positivity and a real sense of gratitude for the people in the community who are wanting to help and reach out.”
The Salvation Army’s ability to fill a critical niche and pivot as needed is very much a feat of logistics. But it’s as much a product of listening to the community and following the “4 Cs”—the principles that guide VOAD partnerships: cooperation, communication, coordination and collaboration.
“We are so thankful and blessed that we have so many good partners across the country in our VOAD movement.” Cox said. “This isn’t just about meeting immediate needs. It’s about ensuring no one is left behind in their recovery. It’s about ensuring families recover fully and can rebuild their lives with dignity.” C
SEE HOW THE SALVATION ARMY FIGHTS DISASTER and how you can help at caringmagazine.org/fight-disaster.
The 4Cs of VOAD
Voluntary Organizations
Active in Disaster (VOAD), of which The Salvation Army is a member, is guided by these four principles:
COOPERATION: Working together to identify common goals and establish shared strategies
COMMUNICATION: Sharing information openly among organizations to maintain clarity and prevent confusion
COORDINATION: Synchronizing efforts to maximize efficiency and minimize duplication
COLLABORATION: Combining resources and expertise to create innovative and effective solutions
Salvation Army volunteers and staff serve meals to those displaced by the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires. |PHOTO BY JOHN DOCTER
Volunteers distribute meals at the six-day wildfire resource hub in Pasadena. |PHOTO COURTESY MELINDA LANKFORD
Who is your neighbor?
BY MAJOR DR. TERRY MASANGO
Have you heard of the island of Molokai in Hawaii? In the 1800s, when leprosy was incurable and highly contagious, the government would isolate those suffering from the disease on this remote island. It was in 1873 that a brave Catholic priest named Father Damien volunteered to spend his life serving these isolated souls.
When Father Damien arrived, he discovered people suffering not just physically, but emotionally, socially and spiritually. He found extreme drunkenness, immorality, abuse and an overwhelming sense of hopelessness. These were people desperately asking: “Where is God?” They needed God’s presence in their broken lives.
Father Damien lived among 700 lepers, fully aware of the dangers of such close contact with a highly contagious disease. He built hospitals, clinics, churches and even constructed 600 coffins. Through it all, he answered their question about God’s whereabouts with his presence.
This story reminds me of Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan found in Luke 10:25-37. When an expert in religious law asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus responded with a story that challenges us even today.
In short, a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho was attacked by robbers. They stripped him, beat him and left him half-dead. Both a priest and a Levite—religious leaders— saw him and walked past. But a Samaritan, despised by Jews and considered an outcast, stopped. He bandaged the man’s wounds, took him to an inn and paid for his care.
This story teaches us powerful lessons about real love. Jerusalem, sitting 2,300 feet above sea level, represents peace, while Jericho, 1,300 feet below sea level, symbolizes destruction. The 17-mile journey was treacherous, filled with narrow roads and ravines where thieves could easily ambush travelers. In our lives today, it would be hypocritical to claim we love God while ignoring those suffering around us. The priest and Levite represent religious people who attend church but don’t truly love others—those too busy or too “holy” to engage with people in need, those who care more about buildings than people.
But the Samaritan? He came close. Real love doesn’t serve from a distance or just write checks. Real love boards planes to help, walks streets, visits hospitals and prisons. It offers a human touch and presence. Real love doesn’t look down on people except when helping lift them up.
The Samaritan also noticed the man. Many people experiencing homelessness tell me their deepest hurt isn’t when
real love gets close
people refuse to give them money—it’s when people act as if they don’t exist. Real love notices the hurting, the hungry, the angry, the helpless, the hopeless and the homeless. It notices those on society’s fringes.
Real love says, “I see you, and you matter.”
Then, the Samaritan showed compassion. You don’t have to love people because you know them or because they resemble you. Love people because they’re God’s creation. How often has our Christian message become meaningless because we lack compassion? Fake love is emotionless, lacks empathy and turns people into projects. Real love is a lifestyle—selfless and unconditional.
As the pandemic subsided, noticed I was hurting—sad and borderline depressed. Many in our communities are also dealing with loneliness, depression, anxiety and broken hearts. They need someone to bind up their wounds through genuine love.
Finally, the Samaritan invested his resources—his donkey, his money and his time. He allowed his plans to be interrupted to help someone in need. The interruptions in life are where ministry happens.
Real love is costly, yes, but also rewarding.
So who is my neighbor? Not just someone physically near me or similar to me. My neighbor is the stranger, the acquaintance, even the enemy. My neighbor is anyone of another race, culture, religion, background, political party or social status. My neighbor is every human being created in God’s image. Father Damien lived this truth. For years, he addressed the lepers as “my dear brothers and sisters.” Then one morning in 1885, at age 45, he calmly began his address with: “My fellow lepers, I am one of you now.”
Out of love, a humble priest became one of them. He answered their question about God’s whereabouts by embodying divine presence among those society had abandoned.
Who is God calling you to love today?
How might you better love those who are difficult to love?
Will you consider stepping outside your comfort zone to show genuine, authentic love?
How can you love more deeply in a world desperate for real connection? C
Major Dr. Terry Masango is the Training Principal at the College for Officer Training at Crestmont.
Your Transformation Toolkit
There is a moment when possibility first whispers. That moment when something within says, “Maybe. Just maybe.” This isn’t passive hoping—this is hope that rolls up its sleeves. Hope as active engagement.
DIFFERENT IS POSSIBLE. NOT THEORETICALLY POSSIBLE, BUT POSSIBLE TODAY.
The journey from possibility to impact doesn’t require grand gestures—just intentional moments of action. Every positive change begins with this simple conviction: Different is possible. Not theoretically possible, but possible today. Will you give it 15 minutes?
STEP 1: SEE HOPE
Develop your possibility vision
Quick Action: Start a “Signs of Good” photo collection. Capture one image weekly of something positive in your community.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Josh. 1:9).
STEP 2: CREATE IMPACT
Focus on what actually works
Quick Action: Choose a focus (reduce isolation, support youth, help families) and take one 15-minute weekly action like learning neighbors’ names or reading with a child.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Gal. 6:9).
STEP 3: FIND YOUR PLACE
Discover your unique contribution
Quick Action: Identify your natural strength (organizing, teaching, creating, connecting) and offer it to a local effort for 15 minutes weekly.
“Two are better than one... If either of them falls down, one can help the other up” (Eccl. 4:9-10).
STEP 4: BUILD LEGACY
Create sustainable patterns
Quick Action: Establish one family tradition like a monthly “Giving Day” or weekly “Friendship Friday” visits with an older neighbor who lives alone.
“I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” (Isa. 43:19)
Remember: You are not a spectator.
We know transformation happens through individual decisions to step forward.
And there is a you-sized hole for goodness near you. Will you take action? C |
GOOD WORDS FROM THE GOOD WORD
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