More than Meets the Eye

Last year, The Salvation Army’s 7,617 centers of operation served 23.1 million people in every zip code, with around three million seeking help during the Holidays, alone.

In 2018, the Puyallup Valley Corps provided 12,000 neighbors in need with life-saving services, saved 631 households from homelessness with utility assistance, sustained 1,470 households with Holiday Assistance and distributed 12,801 food and grocery bags to local residents.

“The Salvation Army is a revered brand but few people know what we do,” said Captains John & Kyna Kelley, Officers at The Salvation Army Puyallup Valley Corps. “William Booth’s dual mission of pastoral care and satisfying the basic needs of food, clothing and shelter in God’s name without discrimination has been delivered successfully since 1865, when he founded the organization in London. Today, The Salvation Army serves in 131 countries.

“Our safety-net services provide men, women and children with the resources they need to embark on their journeys toward self-sufficiency. Most people arrive at The Salvation Army when they hit rock bottom and have nowhere else to turn. For them, Hopelessness becomes tangible as friends, family and community cast them aside; those connections were the means by which they had hoped to return as fully-contributing members of society.”

However, poverty is not always easy to see. How many people consider themselves ineligible for help or deny need? How many neighbors struggle quietly, keeping up appearances by clinging to perceived measures of success, such as a beautiful home and expensive car, until these items and Hope are lost? According to the Human Needs Index, developed by The Salvation Army in partnership with the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, around 50 million (one in every six) Americans live in poverty.

“At best, hidden need can only be estimated. As it reveals itself, statistics are extrapolated. The Salvation Army is keen to make a positive impact whenever possible,” stated the Captains Kelley. “While organizing our Bell Ringing Program’s High School Red Kettle Challenge, we learned that 15 Puyallup High School students’ families are struggling financially. Thanks to Pam Reichel, HOSA-Future Health Professionals Coordinator, we met with the students and their counselors on November 18 and provided Thanksgiving food boxes.

“Another school in Puyallup School District has seven students whose families will receive Christmas baskets. Towards the end of the last school year, we started weekly deliveries of fruits and snacks to Rogers High School, so classrooms might have something on hand for students and teachers,” the Kelleys added.

Salvation Army services vary by location, according to need. In turn, the delivery method for a given service depends on local resources. Captains John & Kyna Kelley welcome the opportunity to assist students and their families.

Besides satisfying basic needs, key programs in Puyallup aim to build stronger communities. These include casework and counseling, Women’s Auxiliary, Community Care Ministry, Men’s Ministry, Women’s Ministry, Youth Ministry, Music Program, Troops (The Salvation Army’s equivalent of Boy Scouts), Teen Nights, Vacation Bible School, Back-to-School Backpack Distribution, Camping Trips, Seasonal programs and Angel Tree Program, made possible with generous public support.

The Salvation Army Puyallup Valley Corps is able to refer clients seeking shelter, rehabilitation from addiction, immediate relief and long-term recovery after a disaster, sanctuary from human trafficking, missing persons and assistance with hardships, to the appropriate parts of the organization… more than meets the eye.

For more information, call (253) 841-1491 or email Captains John & Kyna Kelley at John.Kelley@usw.salvationarmy.org and Kyna.Kelley@usw.salvationarmy.org. Visit Puyallup.SalvationArmy.org