Volunteer Opportunities Galore at the Salvation Army in Greenville
Local citizens of Greenville looking for an opportunity to give back to their community need look no further. The Salvation Army in Greenville is actively seeking volunteers for a variety of tasks and activities, from support staff in food service to bell ringers in their signature Red Kettle Program.
Help Needed in Diversified Roles
The dining hall at the Salvation Army had been operating under strain, with just one sole personnel tasked with the responsibility of feeding the shelter’s 50 men and approximately 40 women and children, according to Bea Walters Smith, Community Relations and Development Director of the organization. This shortage of staff underlines the indispensable role and pressing need for volunteers in carrying out the organization’s various functions.
Walters Smith explained, “We’ve put a plan in place, but having volunteers or a volunteer group to come in and help make sandwiches or casseroles that could be frozen would be of immense help.”
Year-Round Services to Community
The Salvation Army caters to approximately 40,000 individuals a year, spanning Greenville, Pickens, and Oconee Counties. Its critical services include offering over 25,000 nights of sheltering, supporting nearly 3,800 youths, and providing in excess of 82,000 meals.
“Thousands and thousands of hours are put into these efforts, and it’s primarily the volunteers who make it all possible,” Walters Smith emphasized.
At present, the Salvation Army is urgently seeking volunteers. Apart from assisting with food preparation, volunteers can also participate in tending to the shelter’s fruit and vegetable garden, a task at which one Miss Sue, a regular volunteer, has excelled.
The Red Kettle Program
An iconic initiative of the Salvation Army that often comes to mind during the holiday season is the Red Kettle Program. This unique fundraising effort involves volunteers ringing bells near ‘red kettles’ stationed outside stores to collect donations for the community. This drive commences on November 13 and continues until Christmas, December 24.
“The dollars we raise during the kettle season help sustain our programs throughout the year,” Walters Smith explained. “And every dollar counts, with 87 cents of every dollar going directly towards the programs we provide. The money collected in each county stays in that county to help local residents in need.”
Volunteer Participation And Its Impact
Last year, the initiative saw the participation of 79 volunteer groups manning the 40-plus kettle stations for the whole season, and this year, the organization aims to get more than 100 groups on board. Achieving this, however, presents a formidable challenge.
Pointing out the significance of even the smallest contributions, Walters Smith said, “Even if it’s only for an hour, we need you. And while volunteering for the Salvation Army, know that any time and energy invested is directly helping someone else.”
Anyone interested in volunteering can reach out to Justin Heisey, the organization’s volunteer coordinator, via phone or email.
