Salvation Army COVID-19 Impact Report

I M PA C T REPORT

T H E C O V I D - 1 9 PA N D E M I C R E S P O N S E T H E S A LVAT I O N A R M Y U S A W E S T E R N T E R R I TO R Y w e s t e r n u s a . s a l v a t i o n a r m y. o r g

IMPACT REPORT: COVID-19 PANDEMIC RESPONSE 1

T H A N K

W

Y O U

e’ve reached the one-year mark since the COVID-19 pandemic response began.

I have to acknowledge how hard this year

has been—emotionally, physically, spiritually—on everyone.

And yet, I am amazed at how resilient The Salvation Army’s officers and employees have been through it all.

We’ve each faced deep challenges. I recently attended a virtual funeral service for one of our employees—the first of our employees who passed away due to COVID-19. A few days later, we went around the room during a meeting and every person had a prayer request for a family member or friend who had the coronavirus. It truly has touched everyone.

We see the future changing every day—and as it does, I am consistently encouraging our ranks to think outside the box but within the shield.

The historic public response to the work of The Salvation Army in this past year has allowed us to be creative and missional. I am so grateful people reacted by entrusting us with their funds to continue helping those in need. And that’s what we will continue to do.

COMMISSIONER DOUGLAS RILEY Territorial Commander

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THE SALVATION ARMY, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church.

Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

MISSION

IMPACT REPORT: COVID-19 PANDEMIC RESPONSE

IMPACT REPORT: COVID-19 PANDEMIC RESPONSE 3

IMPACT AT A GL AN CE

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WH AT ’S IN A FOOD BOX? 6

AL AS KA D IVIS ION 8 CAL IFORN IA S OUT H D IVIS ION 10

CAS CAD E D IVIS ION 12

D E L ORO D IVIS ION 14

GOL D E N STAT E D IVIS ION 18 H AWAII AN D PACIFIC IS L AN D S D IVISI O N 20

IN T E RMOUN TAIN D IVIS ION 22

CONTENTS

N ORT H W E ST D IVIS ION

24

S OUT H W E ST D IVIS ION

26

CORPORAT E PART N E RS

28

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IMPACT REPORT: COVID-19 PANDEMIC RESPONSE

USA WESTERN TERRITORY

NORTHWEST DIVISION

CASCADE DIVISION

INTERMOUNTAIN DIVISION

DEL ORO DIVISION

GOLDEN STATE DIVISION

ALASKA DIVISION CALIFORNIA SOUTH DIVISION

HAWAIIAN AND PACIFIC ISANDS DIVISION

SOUTHWEST DIVISION

IMPACT REPORT: COVID-19 PANDEMIC RESPONSE 5

IMPACT AT A GLANCE A YEAR OF COVID-19 RESPONSE IN THE USA WESTERN TERRITORY March 14, 2020 – March 14, 2021

Meals, beverages, snacks

6,090,758

Food boxes

859,231

Volunteer hours

359,471

Emotional and spiritual care

338,611 CONTACTS

Infant/toddler supplies

105,841 Nights of lodging

604,935 PPE and hygiene kits

728,070 Rental/mortgage assistance

1,594,671 NIGHTS OF LODGING

See The Salvation Army’s impact in action at caringmagazine.org.

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IMPACT REPORT: COVID-19 PANDEMIC RESPONSE

WHAT’S IN A FOOD BOX? Each food box provides approximately 20

EXAMPLE FOOD BOX:

meals to a family.

FOOD TYPE

SIZE

Here’s an example of the standard 16

Chicken Breast

items that fit easily into a 17”x13”x10”

Albacore Tuna

Salvation Army food box.

In most communities, new and existing partnerships were leveraged to help supplement and add to what was given out, including gift cards for food purchases of personal preference.

QTY./UNIT PRICE

TOTAL

12.5 oz

2/$3.29

$6.58

12 oz

1/$3.99

$3.99

White Rice

28 oz

1/$4.79

$4.79

Spaghetti

16 oz

2/$1.00

$2.00

Pasta Sauce

24 oz

1/$1.49

$1.49

Peanut Butter

28 oz

1/$2.99

$2.99

Black Beans

15.5 oz

2/$.89

$1.78

Vegetables

15 oz

3/$.85

$2.55

Fruit

14.5 oz

2/$1.29

$2.58

Whole Grain Oats

18 oz

1/$1.79

$1.79

10 FOOD TYPES | 16 ITEMS | $30.54 RETAIL

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“Today was a good day.

We were able to deliver 393 meals to children in need. Tomorrow we will do it again.”

LT. IMMANUEL BEESON

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IMPACT REPORT: COVID-19 PANDEMIC RESPONSE

ALASKA DIVISION AK

The Salvation Army worked closely with Anchorage Municipal EOC team to address sheltering during the COVID pandemic, providing initial case management support in the Quarantine and Isolation/Emergency Cold Weather Shelter (May 2020), preparing and distributing food to individuals in non-congregate shelters (hotel) locations in Anchorage, and case management support for families experiencing homelessness.

ONLY IN ALASKA: The Salvation Army opened a 24-hour shelter in Anchorage for children whose parents were dealing with COVID-19.

ADDITIONAL DISASTER RESPONSE: While responding to the pandemic, The Salvation Army in Alaska also responded to a severe winter storm that hit Southeast Alaska in December 2020, resulting in a state emergency declaration. Haines experienced community-wide flooding and a subsequent mudslide.

The Salvation Army worked closely with the Borough EOC and other organizations to support emergency sheltering in local hotels; ship an EDS canteen via ferry from Juneau to help coordinate feeding and delivery to non-congregate shelters and EOC; support immediate needs with grocery gift cards, temporary housing and mortgage assistance; purchase 12 generators to help protect homes without electricity through winter; and serve on the long-term recovery committee.

MEALS, BEVERAGES, SNACKS

235,110

FOOD BOXES

9,970

VOLUNTEER HOURS

6,993

EMOTIONAL/SPIRITUAL CARE

9,624

INFANT/TODDLER SUPPLIES

526

NIGHTS OF LODGING

4,411

PPE AND HYGIENE KITS

1,143

HELPED 1,264 HOUSEHOLDS WITH RENTAL ASSISTANCE HELPED 343 HOUSEHOLDS WITH UTILITY ASSISTANCE

IMPACT REPORT: COVID-19 PANDEMIC RESPONSE 9

OPERATION SANTA CLAUS TRADITION CONTINUES

The Salvation Army has partnered with the Alaska National Guard since 1969 to bring Christmas cheer to community members in rural Alaska. While the visits typically include an ice cream party and gifts from Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, due to COVID-19, the 2020 celebration was a little different. Instead, gifts were offloaded in the communities of Stevens Village, Birch Creek and Nanwalek by Alaska National Guard Black Hawk and CH-47 Chinook helicopters and community members came to collect the boxes after the Guard departed.

Last November, a small group of volunteers chose and wrapped gifts for each child in all three communities over a two-day period. The children received backpacks containing a wrapped gift, books, stocking stuffers and a handmade hat knitted by volunteers in Florida and North Carolina. The backpacks were then put into boxes that also contained puzzles, board games, coffee and non-perishable food items for the families.

“This is the first year that one of our new Alaska National Guard Chinook helicopters participated in Op Santa,” said Lt. Colonel Candis Olmstead, the Alaska National Guard project officer for Op Santa. “We’re excited for them to carry on our long-standing tradition of delivering gifts to Alaskans in rural communities with military aircraft.”

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IMPACT REPORT: COVID-19 PANDEMIC RESPONSE

CALIFORNIA SOUTH DIVISION AL L CO UNTI ES F ROM THE MEXICA N BORD ER TO THE TOP OF S A N LUIS OBIS PO

CA

The Salvation Army opened 706 units as part of Project Roomkey, a FEMA-approved effort to provide self-isolation via hotel rooms for people experiencing homelessness. From downtown Los Angeles, to Santa Fe Springs, El Monte and Signal Hill, these rooms provided temporary shelter for those experiencing homelessness. As of April 2021, 557 units remain in operation for safe housing.

The Salvation Army’s CARES for Tenants program served 746 households with rental assistance payments of up to $3,000, through March 1, 2021, for a total of $2,205,000 administered. In 2021 The Salvation Army’s CARES for Tenants contract was extended for an additional $2.2 million to serve 815 households with an additional $2,500 in further rent relief.

The successful implementation of the CARES program paved the way for The Salvation Army Orange County to be awarded a $5.5 million contract with Santa Ana for an eviction prevention program to be administered from Feb. 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022. The program is expected to serve more than 700 families with eviction prevention funds to prevent homelessness and ensure housing stability for vulnerable families.

ONLY IN CALIFORNIA SOUTH: The Salvation Army held virtual red kettle kickoff luncheons in Santa Barbara, Ventura, Pasadena, Los Angeles and San Diego that raised nearly $1 million to help rescue Christmas for those most in need.

MEALS, BEVERAGES, SNACKS

475,965

FOOD BOXES

111,541

VOLUNTEER HOURS

26,866

EMOTIONAL/SPIRITUAL CARE

18,644

INFANT/TODDLER SUPPLIES

59,686

NIGHTS OF LODGING

48,737

PPE AND HYGIENE KITS

108,804

OPENED 14 SHELTERS HELPED 3,176 HOUSEHOLDS WITH RENTAL ASSISTANCE HELPED 8,987 HOUSEHOLDS WITH UTILITY ASSISTANCE

IMPACT REPORT: COVID-19 PANDEMIC RESPONSE 11

ADDITIONAL DISASTER RESPONSE: While responding to the pandemic, The Salvation Army in California South also responded to the Apple Fire, Lake Fire, El Dorado Fire, Bobcat Fire, Valley Fire, Bond and Silverado Fire, and house fires— providing financial assistance for lodging and furniture replacement, hydration and meals, emotional and spiritual care and more. The Salvation Army provided beverages and snacks on Election Day, helped families affected by a public safety power shutoff in San Diego, and offered snacks, hygiene kits, clothing and other items for migrants at the border.

FORMER INMATE FINDS SHELTER, THEN HOME WITH HELP FROM THE SALVATION ARMY | A letter from Kenneth W. Johnson In seven days, I will be taking my final exam at Loyola Marymount University and graduating a Vet2Peer Certification. Within five days of paroling on July 30, 2020, after serving more than 25 years under the California three-strikes law, I called a veteran outreach coordinator who put me in touch with The Salvation Army. Mr. Watson picked me up from the Van Nuys federal/state halfway house on August 4, 2020, and brought me to The Salvation Army Bell Shelter. Today, in February 2021, I sit in my own HUD/VASH single apartment with a one-year lease and am typing on a laptop with home internet service, looking out a big picture window from the Bell Oasis Apartments.

I attest heartfully and with all thankfulness that I could not have accomplished these life achievements without the caring, professionalism and patience of key Bell Shelter staff, who I humbly thank with all my heart…You are all my mentors as in each of you I see my path and mental wellness, while sober, helping others get their lives on the right track consistently and with vigorous determination…fight for your own life and the battle against “self” for we are not “selfish” people anymore; we have to be a community, a society.

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IMPACT REPORT: COVID-19 PANDEMIC RESPONSE

CASCADE DIVISION O REGO N AND SO UTHERN IDA HO

OR ID

At the request of Washington County, The Salvation Army turned a former thrift store in Beaverton into a temporary shelter from April 17 – May 31, 2020, and provided meals to shelter visitors. An ensuing partnership with Washington County resulted in The Salvation Army being asked to administer the non-congregate COVID-19 hotel sheltering program for people experiencing homelessness. This project has now been extended to June 2021, while the county works with The Salvation Army on a permanent program.

ONLY IN CASCADE: The Salvation Army in the Portland Metro area launched Operation Share Hope, a coordinated food box distribution of three corps to help those affected by COVID-19.

During a four-hour distribution window, three days a week, The Salvation Army served food boxes as a drive-through service to anyone in need. Lloyd Center Mall in Portland, East Hill Church in Gresham, and Clackamas Town Center in Happy Valley partnered with The Salvation Army to serve as host locations for these food distributions.

In just eight weeks, over 35,000 people received food boxes across the Portland Metro area.

ADDITIONAL DISASTER RESPONSE: While responding to the pandemic, The Salvation Army in the Cascade Division also responded to the Alameda Fire, Archie Creek Fire, Beachie Creek Fire, Echo Mountain Fire, Holiday Farm Fire, Lionshead

MEALS, BEVERAGES, SNACKS

399,649

FOOD BOXES

27,348

VOLUNTEER HOURS

22,727

EMOTIONAL/SPIRITUAL CARE

21,277

INFANT/TODDLER SUPPLIES

860

NIGHTS OF LODGING

305

PPE AND HYGIENE KITS

10,194

OPENED 1 SHELTER HELPED 703 HOUSEHOLDS WITH UTILITY ASSISTANCE

IMPACT REPORT: COVID-19 PANDEMIC RESPONSE 13

Fire, Powerline Fire, Riverside Fire, Santiam Fire, Star Mountain Fire, and Two Four Two Fire.

The Salvation Army provided meals, as requested by the Oregon State Office of Emergency Management, tailoring its services to the needs of each community. As survivors fled to different parts of the state and into Idaho, Salvation Army units provided relief on location. Mass feeding was carried out at the Jackson County Fairgrounds (Medford), Clackamas Community College, the Clackamas Center Mall (RV shelter), Oregon State Convention Center, and at scattered sites east of Eugene and Salem. Feeding sites were changed with less than two hours’ notice, more than once, and Army staff and volunteers successfully pivoted to provide meals service following COVID-19 restrictions.

In one case, Lt. Charles DeJesus served meals out of The Salvation Army canteen twice per day for 30 days in the Santiam Canyon area before this service was taken over by the Salem Kroc Center. It continues to this day.

Recognizing the efforts of Salvation Army officers and staff, the State of Oregon contracted The Salvation Army to provide meals delivery service statewide.

As wildfire relief entered the longterm recovery stage in Oregon, The Salvation Army is now focusing on returning displaced families to permanent housing. Fifty families in the Medford/ Jackson County area will be placed in permanent housing through funds collected during the wildfires. Placement of additional families in other communities across Oregon is currently under consideration.

WILDFIRE RELIEF BY THE NUMBERS: 60,060 served meals 53,882 snacks 56,109 drinks 31,151 home-delivered meals 8,364 food boxes 3,323 emotional and spiritual care contacts 1,119 nights of lodging

CASCADE EXPERIENCES ONCE-IN-A-GENERATION WILDFIRES ON TOP OF A PANDEMIC During the first few days of the Oregon wildfires, the Clackamas Center Mall parking lot became a temporary shelter for families fleeing the fires in their RVs. Captain Michael O’Brien, Corps Officer, Portland Tabernacle Corps, supported by Major Bob Lloyd, Portland Metro Coordinator, were onsite daily, overseeing feeding, managing the tons of donations brought by the community, and often making space for food trucks driving up to offer their services for free.

Many fire survivors ended up at scattered shelter sites, set up in campgrounds, and in hotels. Ron and Cindy found a place to stay at Milo McIver State Park, where meals were delivered by Major Celestine Ruwethin. After receiving hot meals and prayer for their future, the couple asked for help getting their trailer to a friend’s farm in Idaho. The Salvation Army fueled their tanks, provided food, even helped get a flat tire fixed in Pendleton on the way.

As the smoke cleared, it was wonderful to see how many people were there to help, truly concerned about the well-being of neighbors they had never met.

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IMPACT REPORT: COVID-19 PANDEMIC RESPONSE

DEL ORO DIVISION

EAST BAY, NO RTHERN CA LIFORNIA A ND NORTHERN NEVA DA

CA NV

ONLY IN DEL ORO: The Salvation Army provided 10,084 days of childcare in 2020—compared to just 1,222 the previous year— opening distance learning sites in Oakland Chinatown, Hayward, Chico, Sacramento and Suisun City. At the Suisun City Kroc Center, The Salvation Army helped a family in which the parents were both first responders with childcare.

“They’ve been a rock to our family for sure,” said Erika Taylor. “I’m a nurse. It’s rough. Like what are we going to do for childcare? If we’re not working, who’s going to save lives? Having that support, I don’t know what we would’ve done without them and how many lives would’ve been saved had we not worked?”

ADDITIONAL DISASTER RESPONSE: While responding to the pandemic, The Salvation Army in the Del Oro Division also responded to the Glass Fire, Zogg Fire, North Complex Fire, Slater Fire, Hennessey Fire, LNU Lightning Complex Fire, Vacaville Fire, and Jones Fire.

WILDFIRE RELIEF BY THE NUMBERS: 97,503 meals 6,334 snacks 37,369 drinks 4,490 volunteer hours 492 emotional and spiritual care contacts

MEALS, BEVERAGES, SNACKS

791,855

FOOD BOXES

281,241

VOLUNTEER HOURS

256,981

EMOTIONAL/SPIRITUAL CARE

90,952

INFANT/TODDLER SUPPLIES

418

NIGHTS OF LODGING

149,987

PPE AND HYGIENE KITS

112,137

HELPED 2,906 HOUSEHOLDS WITH RENTAL ASSISTANCE HELPED 2,709 HOUSEHOLDS WITH UTILITY ASSISTANCE

IMPACT REPORT: COVID-19 PANDEMIC RESPONSE 15

A DRIVE-THROUGH CHRISTMAS FOR THE SALVATION ARMY

Christmas time for The Salvation Army typically means large gatherings of friends to share meals and give gifts, but due to COVID-19, Christmas looked vastly different in 2020. In the Del Oro Division, covering Northern California and Northern Nevada, The Salvation Army kicked off the holiday season in the parking lot of many corps community centers. Friends of the Army would drive up and drop off donations and receive warm holiday greetings from behind masks and in the safety of their vehicles. Meals were not had around big tables, but handed out in to go containers to be enjoyed at home and socially distant from other families. When it came time for gifts, The Salvation Army orchestrated huge drive-through operations, allowing families to receive their presents, holiday meals and in some cases, Christmas trees, all while following strict local, state and federal safety guidelines. Although we were forced apart, The Salvation Army took great care in 2020 to keep the spirit of the season alive at a time when people needed it the most.

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IMPACT REPORT: COVID-19 PANDEMIC RESPONSE

NEW HOMELESS OUTREACH PROGRAMS

The Salvation Army launched two new programs within the Del Oro Division, specifically aimed at reaching the growing population of unhoused peoples living in Oakland and San Joaquin County.

In Oakland, The Salvation Army goes out every weekday to deliver meals to those experiencing homelessness. They also drop off carts of food to tiny home communities in conjunction with Dignity Services. It started as COVID-19 operation, but quickly turned into something much more.

“This is a forgotten group. People just look at them and say they want money or want money for drugs,” said Major Laura Sullivan, Alameda County Salvation Army Officer. “But we’re getting to know the people’s names and their stories and who they are. How can you turn your back on someone who’s becoming a friend? I can’t do that. Every life matters. Every single life matters.”

In San Joaquin County, The Salvation Army launched the Street Level Mobile Homeless Outreach Program. It’s one of four new programs with the same name that are launching throughout California thanks to a $1 Million grant from Dignity Health’s Homeless Health Initiative. The grant provided The Salvation Army the ability to purchase mobile outreach vans that operate as a caseworker’s office in the field, improving access to

important services for those experiencing homelessness.

“One of the hardest things about working with an individual experiencing homelessness is the follow through,” said Melinda Ramirez, San Joaquin County Street Level Program Director.

“Having them come into your office to apply for help and bring documents. They don’t show up or they can’t show up. Having this mobile office is going to eliminate a lot of those barriers.”

In San Joaquin County, the Street Level Mobile Outreach team spent months building connections in the community and with those experiencing housing insecurity. Those connections helped get a family off the streets and into housing.

“We just got a woman and her 11-year-old daughter into a shelter, a long-term program,” said Ramirez. “There were at least 3-4 other organizations trying to get them out of their car. She wouldn’t talk to anyone. But we kept going and visiting and talking to her and built that relationship. She went into a program because of it. No one wanted to see that little girl on the streets.”

The Street Level Mobile Outreach Program, much like The Salvation Army as a whole, isn’t doing this good work alone. They’re partnering with area churches, other nonprofits, city and county agencies, and more to improve housing stability for those who are unhoused in San Joaquin County.

The Salvation Army’s Del Oro Division looks to build off the success of these programs in other cities to continue improving the lives of those unseen and often forgotten by society.

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“A salvation that does not lead to service is no salvation at all.” CATHERINE BOOTH

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IMPACT REPORT: COVID-19 PANDEMIC RESPONSE

GOLDEN STATE DIVISION

SAN F RANC I SCO, CENTRA L COA ST A ND CENTRA L VA LLEY

CA

ONLY IN GOLDEN STATE: San Francisco Metro partnered with the San Francisco Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH), to deliver two meals daily to people experiencing homelessness and living in encampments in San Francisco. The Salvation Army served more than 300,000 unhoused neighbors at 51 outdoor locations in San Francisco.

The Salvation Army’s Citywide Homeless Relief and Impact Service Team was made up of six response units that transported and delivered the meals directly to people throughout the city experiencing homelessness during the pandemic. The goal of the program was to improve food security and minimize COVID-19 exposure by supporting people living outside and increasing their ability to shelter in place.

In addition, The Salvation Army also began delivering daily breakfast, lunch and dinner to the Safe Sleeping Sites at the Civic Center, Gough and Market and Haight Ashbury neighborhoods when the pandemic hit and continues the daily service. These meals are made by members of the vibrant local food vendor community, which The Salvation Army purchases and serves to those in need. The Salvation Army partnered with La Cocina, SoMa Streat Foods and the Economic Development on Third Street for the meals. So far, The Salvation Army has funneled nearly $420,000 into this unique small business community all while feeding those in need.

MEALS, BEVERAGES, SNACKS

447,058

FOOD BOXES

134,868

VOLUNTEER HOURS

34,075

EMOTIONAL/SPIRITUAL CARE

39,095

INFANT/TODDLER SUPPLIES

1,598

NIGHTS OF LODGING

63,060

PPE AND HYGIENE KITS

24,917

HELPED 1,906 HOUSEHOLDS WITH RENTAL ASSISTANCE HELPED 1,752 HOUSEHOLDS WITH UTILITY ASSISTANCE

IMPACT REPORT: COVID-19 PANDEMIC RESPONSE 19

ADDITIONAL DISASTER RESPONSE: While responding to the pandemic, The Salvation Army in the Golden State Division also responded to its most widespread fire season to date. From Aug. 20 – Sept. 5, 2020, The Salvation Army served 12,364 meals at 19 shelters in 16 days in response to seven fires including the Carmel, Dolan, River, CZU Complex, SCU Complex, SQF Complex, and Creek Fire.

SALVATION ARMY TEAM RESPONDS TO FIRE IN HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT

It was another week of MealsInPlaceSF outreach for The Salvation Army in San Francisco. Golden State Divisional Commander Major Darren Norton and a team of volunteers embarked on their designated food distribution route for the day to the homeless encampments in the South of Market (SoMa) neighborhood. However, on one of their stops, he noticed something off—smoke coming from one of the tents.

He pulled up next to the tent and saw flames and immediately called 911.

“These flames quickly started to erupt; it completely engulfed,” Norton said.

In the row of about seven tents, two were destroyed—the one where the fire originated and the tent right next to it. Once

the fire was extinguished, Norton and Salvation Army volunteers continued delivering meals. But when they returned to the area of the fire, they noticed two massive piles of debris and a couple—Patrick and Stephanie—staring in shock.

The Salvation Army outreach team gave them meals and asked them if they were OK. It was then they found out that Patrick and Stephanie’s tent was the neighboring tent that had burned down.

“Here’s this couple who had lost everything in the world to them. So, we gave them a second lunch, but we just knew we could not drive off,” Norton said.

So, he decided to get them a new tent, sleeping bags and pillows.

“I opened the back of the van and pulled out everything and gave it to them. They were speechless,” Norton said. “They were so grateful. They had no idea we were going to do that for them. It just became one of those moments that God ordained for us to be there at the time when the tents went up in flames to be able to go back and meet their needs.”

He spoke and prayed with them before leaving.

“These are people just like us who have fallen on hard times and needed help at that moment, and we were there to give it,” Norton said. “It was just a beautiful thing to connect with them on a face-to-face level. It’s been great to be able to give out food boxes, but this just took it to another level.”

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IMPACT REPORT: COVID-19 PANDEMIC RESPONSE

HAWAIIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDS DIVISION HAWAI I , MI C RO NESIA A ND THE MA RS HA LL IS LA ND S

HI

ONLY IN THE HAWAIIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDS: In Hawaii, non-Hawaiian Pacific Islanders represent only 4 percent of the state’s population, but as of January 2021, the group made up 30 percent of those infected with COVID-19, according to Honolulu Civil Beat. The Salvation Army’s Hawaiian and Pacific Islands Division’s Oahu Family Services (OFS) is helping immigrants to Hawaii from the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) receive what they need to stay well during an unprecedented health crisis, including bringing food into the community to make sure people have their immediate needs met.

In one case, in April 2020, after The Salvation Army put out a need for protein, the division received a donation of 40 cows from the Cattlemen’s Association.

The donation resulted in 16,000 pounds of protein to distribute.

MEALS, BEVERAGES, SNACKS

224,307

FOOD BOXES

36,953

VOLUNTEER HOURS

9,718

EMOTIONAL/SPIRITUAL CARE

12,599

INFANT/TODDLER SUPPLIES

227

NIGHTS OF LODGING

981

PPE AND HYGIENE KITS

7,801

HELPED 382 HOUSEHOLDS WITH RENTAL ASSISTANCE HELPED 107 HOUSEHOLDS WITH UTILITY ASSISTANCE

IMPACT REPORT: COVID-19 PANDEMIC RESPONSE 21

COMMUNITY CENTER TURNS TO DISASTER RESPONSE

At the height of the pandemic, The Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in Ewa Beach, Hawaii, shut down its community center operations and became an emergency disaster response center. It hosted weekly drive-through food distributions that served hundreds of families per week, activated a call-in prayer ministry, hosted a surge testing site and produced and distributed more than 100,000 prepared meals through a network of more than 35 other churches, senior living communities and organizations. As one of three “Resiliency Hubs” on the island of Oahu, the Kroc Center—with a grant from the Hawaii Community Foundation—distributed tens of thousands of personal protective equipment to social and behavioral science workers reaching out to underserved populations affected by COVID-19. The Kroc Center continues to host monthly drive-through food distributions in 2021 and will continue until the need subsides. In each, the corps’ prayer team offers prayer and finds it overwhelmingly received, according to center Administrator and Corps Officer Major Phil Lum.

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IMPACT REPORT: COVID-19 PANDEMIC RESPONSE

INTERMOUNTAIN DIVISION CO LO RADO, WYO MING , UTA H A ND EA STERN MONTA NA

MT

WY

UT

CO

ONLY IN THE INTERMOUNTAIN DIVISION: The Connection Center gives people easy access to rental assistance and played a big role in Colorado providing funding at a higher-than-standard level. Unlike 211, which provides information and referrals, caseworkers in the Connection Center are available to provide triage assessment and initial intakes into our programs. A person can literally be connected to Salvation Army services and even receive an appointment time to meet with a caseworker in person. The center is still receiving an increased number of calls daily. Prior to COVID, The Connection Center would field approximately 1,000 calls per month. By April 2020, The Connection Center received a total of 4,719 calls per month, an increase of 371% which directly correlates to client need.

ADDITIONAL DISASTER RESPONSE: While responding to the pandemic, The Salvation Army in the Intermountain Division also responded to four wildfires, two apartment fires, and civil unrest, distributing nearly 34,000 items including drinks, snacks and Personal Protective Equipment. Volunteers gave 529 hours to the efforts.

In response to a request from the City and County of Denver in April 2020, the Denver Metro Social Services team stood up a shelter for 400 men in less than 24 hours. This effort not only resulted in the Intermountain Division doubling the number of homeless men provided shelter nightly, it also led the City and County of Denver to turn to The Salvation Army

MEALS, BEVERAGES, SNACKS

1,283,256 FOOD BOXES

79,165

VOLUNTEER HOURS

53,420

EMOTIONAL/SPIRITUAL CARE

23,649

INFANT/TODDLER SUPPLIES

3,849

NIGHTS OF LODGING

1,716,282

PPE AND HYGIENE KITS

68,049

OPENED 10 SHELTERS HELPED 4,100 HOUSEHOLDS WITH RENTAL ASSISTANCE HELPED 5,959 HOUSEHOLDS WITH UTILITY ASSISTANCE

IMPACT REPORT: COVID-19 PANDEMIC RESPONSE 23

to run its ARPA hotel program in July 2020. Since July, the Army has operated 7 hotels housing an average of 700 people nightly who are homeless and at high risk to COVID. Additionally, this effort has provided temporary employment to more than 400 individuals through 150 temporary positions during the economic slowdown. Many of these individuals used the employment as an economic lifeline while their primary places of employment were closed during lockdowns.

Finally, the Army’s response has been so effective, the City and County of Denver turned to the Army once again in early December to take over a men’s shelter at the Coliseum when another charity needed to refocus resources.

The Central Kitchen came about as a part of the partnership with the City and County of Denver to address the food needs for various pop-up shelters. Currently located at Harbor Light, it provides meals for the Harbor Light, Crossroads and Lambuth shelters.

Due to the COVID-19 response, the kitchen provides meals to the Activated Respite and Protective Action (ARPA) Hotels, pop-up emergency shelters and fulfills other requests from various government agencies.

THE SALVATION ARMY RESCUED CHRISTMAS FOR AMANDA

“The Salvation Army helped my family when I was young, and they have now been huge in my life,” said Amanda, a married mother of four whose life fell apart last year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Amanda and her husband both lost their jobs early on in the pandemic, making providing for their family difficult. Struggling to keep food on the table and lights on in their home, they came to The Salvation Army and received hope and help with food, household supplies and utility assistance.

Christmas was out of the question in 2020. With finances already a struggle, there was no way they would be able to provide any gifts for their children—until they remembered The Salvation Army.

When they came to The Salvation Army, they were welcomed again with open arms and received gifts and stocking stuffers for the children.

“They have truly been the angel I have needed and have kept myself and my family from the cold, and away from demons that we couldn’t handle on our own,” said Amanda. “I cannot explain the miracle we were given by The Salvation Army this year.”

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IMPACT REPORT: COVID-19 PANDEMIC RESPONSE

NORTHWEST DIVISION WASHI NGTO N, NO RTHERN IDA HO A ND W ESTERN MONTA NA

WA

MT ID

ONLY IN THE NORTHWEST DIVISION: Early on in the pandemic, The Salvation Army began receiving offers of in-kind product in significant amounts.

This led to new relationships formed with companies that provide truckloads of big box store returns and other products, which are now supporting the Adult Rehabilitation Program (ARP) retail stores with new furniture and household items and supporting corps throughout the division with cleaning supplies, food, snacks, beverages and more. The Northwest Division now operates a Distribution Center in coordination with the ARP that receives, sorts and redistributes product. It is anticipated that the Distribution Center will redistribute over $2 million of product annually.

ADDITIONAL DISASTER RESPONSE: While responding to the pandemic, The Salvation Army in the Northwest Division also responded to fires in Washington’s Pierce County, Malden and Okanogan, helping to stabilize affected families.

MEALS, BEVERAGES, SNACKS

957,874

FOOD BOXES

78,809

VOLUNTEER HOURS

43,920

EMOTIONAL/SPIRITUAL CARE

23,132

INFANT/TODDLER SUPPLIES

3,097

NIGHTS OF LODGING

14,496

PPE AND HYGIENE KITS

82,971

OPENED 9 SHELTERS HELPED 1,851 HOUSEHOLDS WITH RENTAL ASSISTANCE HELPED 2,623 HOUSEHOLDS WITH UTILITY ASSISTANCE

IMPACT REPORT: COVID-19 PANDEMIC RESPONSE 25

THE SALVATION ARMY CONNECTS MELANIE TO SUPPORT

Melanie decided she would do things differently upon turning 20.

“My birthday is in December, right before the New Year,” she said. “I decided that turning 20, and the New Year of 2020, was a sign to make some positive decisions for myself and my daughter.”

The first goals on the list included getting her GED and moving on from her job at a fast-food restaurant.

When the COVID-19 crisis hit and a stay-athome order issued, Melanie’s plans came to a halt.

She lost her job and income, and found herself

juggling schoolwork while caring for an active toddler. She took home more than food after a visit to The Salvation Army.

“I came for a food box, but also met a case worker,” Melanie said. “She’s been a big help.”

The caseworker helped Melanie stay motivated on her GED studies and job search. She also provided resources and referrals for childcare, food programs, and help getting her driver’s license.

“My caseworker calls me to see how I’m doing and keep me positive,” said Melanie.

“Sometimes, the most important support we can offer isn’t tangible,” reported Melanie’s caseworker. “It’s the personal relationship, helping with organization and encouragement, and being there to listen.”

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IMPACT REPORT: COVID-19 PANDEMIC RESPONSE

SOUTHWEST DIVISION ARI ZO NA, NEW MEX ICO A ND CLA RK COUNTY NEVA DA

ONLY IN THE SOUTHWEST DIVISION: The Salvation Army supplied water, food boxes, dairy products, meals, snack items, PPE, sanitizer and more to the Navajo Nation, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Gila River Indian Community, San Carlos Apache Nation and Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe.

NV

AZ

NM

ADDITIONAL DISASTER RESPONSE: The Salvation Army Southwest Division also responded to Arizona’s 48 Excessive Heat Warnings in 2020, during which 11 cooling/hydration stations and a mobile unit in Phoenix and four cooling/hydration stations and a mobile unit in Tucson were activated to provide heat relief and items including hand sanitizer, sunscreen and lip balm. The Salvation Army provided similar heat relief in Southern Nevada, and the division gave life-saving respite to around 40,000 people during the brutal summer months.

In Dudleyville, Arizona, SW EDS provided 196 meals, 320 drinks, 232 snacks, 880 PPE, and 80 gift cards/debit cards to residents and first responders affected by the Margo Fire in mid-April 2021. Through a partnership with Midwest Food Bank, secured and sent 10 pallets of drinks to Salvation Army canteens serving during Southern California wildfires in 2020 and responded with food and beverages for first responders during the Tempe train bridge fire in July 2020.

During an influx of migrants crossing the border in

MEALS, BEVERAGES, SNACKS

1,022,608 FOOD BOXES

129,519

VOLUNTEER HOURS

48,703

EMOTIONAL/SPIRITUAL CARE

47,737

INFANT/TODDLER SUPPLIES

10,380

NIGHTS OF LODGING

55,385

PPE AND HYGIENE KITS

220,128

OPENED 4 SHELTERS HELPED 4,965 HOUSEHOLDS WITH RENTAL ASSISTANCE HELPED 4,487 HOUSEHOLDS WITH UTILITY ASSISTANCE

IMPACT REPORT: COVID-19 PANDEMIC RESPONSE 27

early 2021, The Salvation Army provided a pallet of heater meals and two pallets of water to the International Rescue Committee Border Shelter in Maricopa County on March 19 and on the same day, provided a pallet of heater meals and a pallet of water to the Somerton Regional Center for Border Health in Yuma County, Arizona. In April 2021, SW EDS activated the Phoenix Family Services kitchen at DHQ to provide 100 individually-prepared hot lunches three days a week for a total of 12 service days.

THE SALVATION ARMY GIVES MARK TIME TO FIND A JOB

When Mark was laid off from his position at Allegiant Airlines due to COVID-19, he was unfamiliar with unemployment and stressed about fulfilling his financial obligations. He sought assistance through The Salvation Army’s online application portal and received help with his September and October 2020 rent and electricity bills. Not having the fear of eviction looming over his head, Mark said he was able to focus on finding a new job.

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CORPORATIONS

IMPACT REPORT: COVID-19 PANDEMIC RESPONSE

THAT PROVIDED GENEROUS SUPPORT TO THE SALVATION ARMY USA WESTERN TERRITORY DURING THE PANDEMIC

IMPACT REPORT: COVID-19 PANDEMIC RESPONSE

29

Hawaii Foodservice Alliance

US Bank

Hensley Distributing

VB Cosmetics

Hickman’s Dairy Family Farms

Venetian

International Paper

Whataburger

3TV & CBS5 (Phoenix)

Kaiser Permanente

White Water Bottling

7-Eleven

Kalil Bottling Company

Wild Mike’s Pizza

9 Mile Health

Kitchell CEM

Wynn

Ala Moana Center/Brookfield Properties

KOAT-TV (Albuquerque)

Y-Hata & Co

Alliance Packaging

Lloyd Center

Zappos

Alpenrose Dairy

Matson Navigation Company

Zippy’s

American Airlines

Meritage Soups

Atmos Energy

MGM Grand

Bashas’ Family Stores

Microsoft/Compass Food Service

Belair

Odyssey Logistics & Technology

Bimbo Bakeries

Papa John’s Pizza

Bob’s Cold Storage

Pepsi

Bob’s Red Mill

Plexus

Brewer Oil Company

Quickship (Sams Club returns)

Clackamas Town Center

Rescue One Air Heating & Cooling

Coca-Cola

Salad and Go (IKD)

Compass-USA

Schmizza Public House

Cox Communications

Sedona Bottling Company

DHX Express

Shamrock Foods

Ford Motor Company (Ford Fund)

Subway

FOX 31 Denver

Sunset Station

Franz Bakery

Sysco Portland

Freedom Mortgage

Talking Rain

Fresh Bite Foods

Thai Carnation Restaurant

Freshly

Tito’s Handmade Vodka Company

Frito-Lay

Toyotalift, Inc.

Fry’s Food Stores

Trailblazer Foods

Green Bridge Coffee

Travis Credit union

Gresham Pacific Coast Fruit Company

Tropicana

Grocery Outlet - Hillsboro Grocery Outlet

Underground Construction Co., Inc.

HALOLIFE

United Airlines

OTHER CORPORATIONS AND BUSINESSES THAT PROVIDED VARIOUS TYPES OF SUPPORT DURING THE PANDEMIC

RETAIL PARTNERS THAT HELPED THE SALVATION ARMY RESCUE CHRISTMAS DURING THE PANDEMIC Albertson’s /Safeway Bass Pro Shops/Cabelas Bi-Mart Big Lots Dillard’s Fry’s Electronics Grocery Outlet Bargain Market Haagen, Inc. Hobby Lobby JC Penney Kroger Stores QFC Ralph’s, Food 4 Less, Foodsco Fred Meyer Macerich Malls Macy’s/Bloomingdale Rosauers Sam’s Club Save Mart Stater Bros.

Walgreen Co. Winco

Thank you to Latter-Day Saint Charities, which helped The Salvation Army serve people in need and build new partnerships in communities across the West through a grant that allowed drive-through food box events across the territory and beyond.

And a big thank you to you and the many other individual donors who have given faithfully for years as well as those of you who are new and put your trust in us to help your fellow neighbor.

We could only do this because of you and your support. Thank you and God bless.

Doing The Most Good For information on services provided in your community visit westernusa.salvationarmy.org

For stories about The Salvation Army’s impact across the Western Territory go to caringmagazine.org