ALL>> Every year, hundreds of Salvation Army volunteers position themselves outside shopping centers across the country. Often times adorned with festive Christmas hats and a kind smile, they ring bells and ask for donations, grateful for every penny that finds its way into their kettle. For years, The Salvation Army has been assisting the world’s poor and underprivileged. As a nonprofit organization, the funds they receive from the public help to provide food, shelter and other forms of support for children and families in need. As a Christian based organization, The Salvation Army was originally founded in 1865. Their longstanding mission has been to provide the underprivileged with ministry that is both spiritual and social. In light of this, The Salvation Army not only offers therapy and counseling to its constituents, but spiritual guidance. It is their belief of The Salvation Army that social and spiritual ministry are interconnected, and out of this ideology comes the phrase, “Heart to God, Hand to Man,” which is often used to describe their mission. More than 56 million people in The United States have come to depend on the Salvation Army for support. The services they provide to the community are critical, sometimes life-saving, and this is especially true during the holiday season, when depression is at its highest and the weather begins to take a turn. Every year around the holiday season, The Salvation Army sets up soup kitchens, mobile food units and passes out blankets to assist those in need. Soup, soap and salvation has always been the motto of The Salvation Army, and whether it is providing a warm blanket, a hot meal or just a kind word, they seek with their actions to spread love, hope and kindness to the world around them. Christmas has always been a time of sharing and giving back to the community, and in that spirit, The Salvation Army strives to do more than just collect donations. They also go out and visit hospitals, nursing homes and those who are unable to leave their home, in order to hand deliver gifts and sometimes meals. Though the holiday season may end, The Salvation Army makes it their goal to ensure that the spirit continues. They seek to echo the spirit of Christmas year-round, bringing hope and relief to millions. Each red kettle donation or Salvation Army thrift store purchase means that another family or homeless person has a warm place to sleep, food to eat and the hope for a better tomorrow. It is this hope that The Salvation Army seeks to spread. If you would like to donate clothes or any other items this holiday season, a Salvation Army truck is available for donations at City News Group, Inc., located at 22797 Barton Road in Grand Terrace, California. Please feel free to drop of your items at City News Group between 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12 through Friday, Dec. 16.

Salvation Army Does More Than Ring Bells