50: How The Salvation Army is fighting COVID-19 from each of its key pillars

At this point, I think it’s safe to say no one has gone untouched by this crisis. The outbreak of a respiratory illness caused by a new coronavirus—called COVID-19—was first declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, and it has steadily rolled into more than 200 countries and territories around the world.

The first case appeared in the U.S. in late January 2020, with America now having the most confirmed active cases in the world.

It’s invaded every aspect of life as we know it with widespread “stay at home” orders shuttering businesses, closing schools and canceling events of all kinds. I recorded this podcast episode in a closet at home, rather than a studio, while my 2-year-old and 2-month-old nap nearby. These are strange and scary days.

And while things have slowed down in many areas, for The Salvation Army everything has ramped up.

The Salvation Army is in emergency response mode across the country. All Salvation Army facilities are available for response efforts and all Salvation Army officers (or pastors) and personnel are assigned to emergency response, providing emergency food programs and emergency shelter services in just about every zip code.

You may remember back in episode 21 of this podcast, I set out to provide as complete an overview as possible on the extensive work of The Salvation Army and its six key pillars of service as the organization annually helps more than 23 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction and economic hardships through a range of social services. 

With this episode, we’re kicking off a new series, called “meet the helpers.” In the episodes to come, I’ll be introducing you to those on the front lines of this crisis, those working every day to meet human need—now more than ever. 

Show highlights include:

• Wide net: No one has gone untouched by the coronavirus crisis.
• The Salvation Army’s mission: “To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.”
• A glimpse into the emergency disaster response effort happening in each of the key pillars:
• • The Salvation Army is there for those with nowhere to go, from thrift stores turned emergency shelters to temporary structures and rent and utility assistance.
  • The Salvation Army is there for the hungry, including hot meals and food boxes for delivery and drive-thru pick up. 
  • The Salvation Army is there for children, providing day care for children of first responders and activity bags for those at home.
  • The Salvation Army is there for seniors, ensuring they receive food and supplies, performing wellness checks by phone and email, teaching social media skills to help them stay connected, offering online shopping assistance and simply someone to talk to.
  •  The Salvation Army is there for those in need of recovery, keeping program participants safe on closed campuses, and engaging them in service projects and fun.
  • Worship in The Salvation Army continues with services conducted via Facebook Live and many leaders are getting creative in how they connect with people

 Good words from Christin Thieme in this show:

“While things have slowed down in many areas, for The Salvation Army everything has ramped up.”

“All Salvation Army facilities are available for response efforts and all Salvation Army officers and personnel are assigned to emergency response, providing emergency food programs and emergency shelter services in just about every zip code.”

“In The Salvation Army, we believe that hope is greater than fear.”

Download this episode wherever you get your podcasts. Find show notes for this episode and more at caringmagazine.org/podcast. Connect with  Christin Thieme via Caring Magazine.