SALVATION ARMY LAUNCHES VIRTUAL FOOD PANTRY TO HELP FEED THOSE IN NEED DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Donate online from the comfort of your home to help meet the growing needs in your community
WHAT: The Salvation Army of Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware has launched an online Virtual Food Pantry. This pantry allows anyone to shop for their neighbors that might need a little extra help during this crisis. Without leaving home, you can jump online, shop for others, and make a big difference in the lives of people in your community who are struggling.
WHERE: Log on to pendel.salvationarmy.org to donate with just a click of a button.
WHEN: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Virtual Food Pantry is always open.
WHO:
- YOU! Your gift helps The Salvation Army provide urgently needed groceries to people in your local community, distributed through food boxes and bags at our Corps Community Centers. Any donation that you make stays right in your community to help those in greatest need.
- Every Corps Community Center in our EPA Division is doing what they always do: distributing food to those who need it. With the ongoing crisis, however, the needs are growing.
WHY: While all are impacted by the coronavirus outbreak, the one in six Americans who are living in poverty will likely feel the effects quicker and more significantly. Needs are increasing now that so many people have been furloughed or have lost jobs due to COVID-19. COVID-19 has closed schools and community centers, creating a gap in meals for children. Working families who live paycheck to paycheck are experiencing fewer hours on the job, with little or no income to support themselves or their loved ones. Due to safety concerns, The Salvation Army is not currently able to accept material goods from the public; this virtual giving model will allow generous individuals to contribute to the initiative in a safe and convenient manner.
QUOTE FROM Lt. Col. Larry Ashcraft, Divisional Commander, The Salvation Army of Eastern Pennsylvania & Delaware
“We are seeing unprecedented needs. The Salvation Army is on the front lines addressing all these needs and will be there to provide desperately needed food. Any help that we can get from the public is greatly needed as we see more and more people who’ve never needed our help before, coming for food. Help us help others because there is no quarantine from hunger.”
HOW: Every donation is needed. For example, $30 will provide one meal for a family of four.
- Donate any amount by credit card for the Virtual Food Pantry.
- To donate by check, mail your contribution to: The Salvation Army-HOPE, 701 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19123.
- Please refer all corporate gift offers to Stan Retif at stan.retif@use.salvationarmy.org
DID YOU KNOW?
- Since this crisis began, The Salvation Army of Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware has provided nearly 618,000 meals to individuals and families in need.
About The Salvation Army:
The Salvation Army of Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware is a faith-based, comprehensive human service organization whose programs help individuals, families and whole communities lead healthier, safer and more productive lives. Since 1879, The Army has held a record of accomplishment stemming from its holistic approach to providing for the needs of the whole individual – physically, emotionally, economically and spiritually. The Army’s programming serves every zip code through 48 community centers and a network of volunteers throughout Eastern Pennsylvania, Philadelphia and Delaware. Programs and services historically include: shelter, hot meals, counseling, early childhood development, recreational opportunities, music programs, after-school arts and educational programs, job training, activities for older adults, spiritual development, and drug rehabilitation.
Mission Statement: The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.
For more information, please visit www.SalvationArmyPA.org
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Gwen Owens, M.A.
Public Relations Manager
The Salvation Army
Eastern PA & DE Division
484-832-2104 (cell)