Syracuse Area Services Fall 2020 Newsletter

Others Syracuse Area Services | sasyr.org | Vol . 40, No. 3

FALL 2020

inside this issue

How to Help "Rescue Christmas" A Note From The Executive Director Helping Thousands of People Feed Their Families

The Founder of The Salvation Army, General William Booth, once sent a telegram to his officers around the world to remind them of the main focus of their work. The telegram contained only one word - “others.” That single word captured the foundation for the entire organization. “Others” tells the stories of those we serve.

Evelyn Ingram hosted the 49th Annual Civic Celebration from her living room with passion and enthusiasm.

Mithila Hasan was the winner of the signed Coach Dino Babers football and gave it to her son.

Black Cub Production setting up the camera before interview with Terrell Holmes Sr.; a featured Civic story

a note from executive director linda lopez When I was celebrating the coming of the New Year with family and friends back in January, I never imagined 2020 would turn out like this!

At that time, I’m not sure I had even heard of COVID-19 and I am sure I never expected The Salvation Army would have to figure out how serve people while protecting the health and safety of our clients and staff.

Our four shelters and four residential programs never closed…not for a single day. Our food pantry served 127,000 meals in the last eight months, and we delivered more than 16,000 meals to senior adults in the community. We also helped hundreds of individuals secure health insurance and started a new program to prevent individuals and families from becoming homeless due to COVIDrelated financial crises.

Our early education programs cared for the children of essential workers, and now provide full-time, part-time and hybrid options, as well as online Universal Pre-K programs for preschoolers. Staff offer distance learning activities for toddlers and make sure our families have enough diapers and formula for their infants.

Our Youth Services teams were thrust suddenly into the role of tutors for the runaway and homeless youth we serve. Our Family Services staff brought food, face masks, school supplies and toys to at-risk families, held family counseling sessions on-line, and facilitated connections between parents and children in foster care via Zoom.

The 49th Annual Civic Celebration luncheon fell victim to COVID constraints, but through the tireless efforts of board members and volunteers, our online event had more than 680 registered viewers and raised more than $180,000 to support essential services.

Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner. This has been such a difficult year for children and families, that we think it is especially important to help families with the holiday resources they need. We have figured out a way to adapt Christmas Distribution so families will still receive food and toys to celebrate.

Like all of you, we have learned to adapt and innovate in the face of many, many challenges this year. We also head into the holiday season with a sense of gratitude and joy, knowing that we have done the best we could to serve others.

If you are ending 2020 feeling discouraged and are struggling, please let us know if we can help. If you are ending 2020 with a sense of gratitude and hopefulness, please find a way to share that hope with others this holiday season.

Who knows what surprises and challenges 2021 will bring?

In some ways, it doesn’t really matter. The Salvation Army will always be “Here for Good”, a steady presence in our community, doing our best every day to serve those in need.

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The Salvation Army of Syracuse, NY

The salvation army area services

has served the Onondaga County community with food since the beginning of COVID-19.

again, supplied incredible product as well as a willing group of volunteers to safely hand out the food. By the end of summer, The Salvation Army of Syracuse safely served 2,800 families consisting of about 7,000 individuals.

That service has taken many forms.

More than 17,000 hot meals were served to our shelter residents during the first six months of the pandemic.

Our Pantry Has Proudly Served...

Nearly 14,000 frozen meals were packed and delivered to senior citizens during the months of April, May, and June. Plus, our Food Pantry has served more than 127,000 meals since March.

The Salvation Army of Syracuse also began mass food distributions to the community in late July. The first two distributions provided free milk to a combined 600 families. After that, we sat down to assess the need in our community and realized it was much greater.

We reached out to some of our fantastic community partners to help before planning our third food and milk giveaway.

stats & facts

We would like to thank all our incredible community partners for helping us tackle the giant need in Onondaga County. The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center provided pallets, trucks and product. Russo Produce Co., Byrne Dairy, and the Food Bank provided 2,200 food boxes each. The Oncenter provided us the large space to hold the food giveaways. The Young Leaders of The Salvation Army volunteered their time on a bi-weekly basis. The United Way provided lifters, luggers, and tuggers. And lastly, the staff at The Salvation Army Syracuse Area Services, thank you for handling all the logistics and manpower before, during, and after the event.

"Our Farm" in Manlius, NY donated To the ladies at the

ETHEL T. CHAMBERLAIN WOMEN'S RESIDENCE

to paint and carve.

Our third distribution saw a broader spectrum of food being distributed to 600 families. Russo Produce Co. partnered with us to provide 600 fresh produce boxes for the giveaway. Byrne Dairy added 600 dairy boxes filled with items like milk, cheese, and sour cream. The Regional Food Bank of CNY also provided us with meats and cheese for 600 families as well.

This type of service really fulfills the command of Jesus. Even if you give someone a cup of cold water in my name, you have also given it to me.

During September, we held two more massive food giveaways where we served 800 families each time. Our community partners, once

Major David Dean

Thanks to you, our loyal donors for your support which allows us to serve.

God bless you all.

Syracuse Division 677 South Salina Street Syracuse, New York 13202

Help us "Rescue Christmas"

This year!

Text Cusekettles2020 to 41444 to help us during this challenging kettle season

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