The Salvation Army Announces Changes in Attleboro

The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division announced this week that it is transitioning its Attleboro Corps to a Salvation Army Service Unit in early 2021. During this change, Salvation Army services are going to remain available to those in need across the City of Attleboro, North Attleboro, Plainville, and surrounding communities. Emergency food assistance will continue without interruption from the current location at 5 Mechanic Street in Attleboro until the end of January when the Corps vacates its current premises.

Present in nearly every zip code in America, The Salvation Army is the nation’s largest provider of social services. Its Service Unit programs operate in suburban and rural communities and are designed to provide comprehensive emergency assistance for individuals and families in its community.

“After careful consideration, transitioning the Corps to a Service Unit will allow us to continue serving this community,” said Major Marcus Jugenheimer, General Secretary, The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division. “Because of the city’s changing needs, we recognized prior to the pandemic that transitioning the Attleboro Corps to a Service Extension Unit provides a significant cost savings that will allow us to redirect critical funds to social services. The Salvation Army has been a part of this community for generations and will continue to serve those in need for many years to come.”

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division has provided over 12 million meals, 400,000 food boxes, 57,670 hygiene kits, and emotional and spiritual care to thousands of people in need. The Salvation Army served about 400,000 people in the Massachusetts last year

Recognizing that the needs are greater than ever, The Salvation Army launched its Rescue Christmas and annual Red Kettle holiday fundraising campaigns in September. The Salvation Army anticipates that it could see an increase of up to 155% more this year as the number of struggling neighbors continues to grow.

The Corps will continue to provide feeding and holiday assistance throughout 2020 before it transitions services to the organization’s successful Service Extension model. Funds raised from this year’s Red Kettle campaign will remain in the community and continue to benefit Attleboro area residents who are served by The Salvation Army.

“For years, our dedicated Salvation Army volunteers and community partners have provided a solid foundation that has ensured our struggling Attleboro neighbors won’t go hungry or cold when they are facing financial hardships,” said Wil Leslie, Service Extension Director, The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division. “Thanks to the community’s continued support, we’re not stopping programming; we’re just reorganizing.”

The Salvation Army Attleboro Corps offers social services —including assistance for food, rent, mortgage, and utility assistance. The facility also provides seasonal services such as holiday assistance and youth/senior camps. It is also known for its Sunday worship and fellowship services, food pantry, Backpack 68 Feeding Program with the Attleboro Public Schools, and Bridging the Gap, a program for court-involved and high-risk youth.

After more than 135 years of serving the Commonwealth’s neighbors, the Attleboro Corps closure and transition to a Service Extension Unit in January 2021 coincides with the planned retirement of Majors Gregory and Irene Norman who have run the Corps for the past four years.

Residents who need support or want to support should visit www.salvationarmyma.org/attleboro for additional information.

About The Salvation Army Service Extension

The Service Extension program is a network of local volunteers — people just like you — who believe in the mission and the message of The Salvation Army and agree to represent the Army in their community. Through these volunteers, The Salvation Army’s mission is carried out every day all across the country. Service Extension provides for emergency needs, such as food, clothing, emergency lodging, rent or utility assistance and other critical needs.

About The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army annually helps nearly 23 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at 7,600 centers of operation around the country. In the first-ever listing of “America’s Favorite Charities” by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Salvation Army ranked as the country’s largest privately funded, direct-service nonprofit. For more information, visit www.salvationarmyma.org. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook @SalvationArmyMA and #DoingTheMostGood.