Volunteer Opportunities Flourish at Salvation Army in Greenville
In an effort to combat staff shortages and continue providing critical services to the community, the Salvation Army in Greenville is making a fervent appeal for volunteers. The call for help comes at a time when the organization, renowned for its different charitable initiatives, is striving to meet the heightened needs brought on by the ongoing global health crisis.
A Challenging Scenario
In mid-June, the grim reality was a solitary staff member managing the feeding operations at the Salvation Army’s homeless shelter in Greenville. With an estimated 50 male and 40 female residents, including children, this was no small task. Bea Walters Smith, the Salvation Army’s Community Relations and Development Director, underscores this scenario to exemplify the organization’s pressing need for volunteers.
“We’ve enacted a plan, but having volunteers or a volunteer group step forward to assist with simple tasks like making sandwiches or casseroles that can be frozen would be of immense benefit,” says Walters Smith. The support efforts of the Salvation Army extend to housing, feeding, and youth programs, thus proving the need for volunteers in diverse roles.
Significant Impact
Annually, the Salvation Army serves approximately 40,000 individuals across Greenville, Pickens, and Oconee counties. The organization’s contributions include providing over 25,000 nights of shelter, supporting 3,800 youth, and serving more than 82,000 meals. Walters Smith states, “Thousands of hours are devoted to these efforts, and it’s the volunteers that make it all happen.”
Volunteers can help in different ways. Walters Smith cites the example of a dedicated volunteer named “Miss Sue,” who assists the facilities department and takes care of the fruit and vegetable garden at the shelter campus. However, the need for assistance extends beyond these day-to-day operations.
The Red Kettle Program
The Salvation Army’s iconic Red Kettle program also relies heavily on volunteers. This seasonal operation, which runs from November 13 to December 24, involves volunteers ringing the bell outside stores to gather donations. “The dollars we raise during the kettle season help support our programs throughout the year. And every dollar counts – 87 cents of every dollar goes directly to the programs we provide,” says Walters Smith, adding, “the money that we raise in each county stays in that county.”
Last year saw 79 volunteer groups manning over 40 kettle locations throughout the season, but there is hope for a higher volunteering turnout this year. Despite the challenges, Walters Smith explains, “Be it for an hour or longer, we need you. Volunteering with the Salvation Army implies that each moment and energy invested is channeled into helping someone.”
For those interested in lending a hand, the Salvation Army encourages them to reach out to their volunteer coordinator, Justin Heisey. His contact information is 864-872-3837 (phone) and Justin.heisey@uss.salvationarmy.org (email).
Summary
At a time when community support is more crucial than ever, volunteering with the Salvation Army in Greenville offers an opportunity to empower vital initiatives aimed towards aiding those in need. Whether it’s preparing meals or ringing the Red Kettle bell, there are countless ways to get involved and make a significant difference.
