The Salvation Army
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One thing we associate with Christmas is the sight and sound of the Salvation Army workers ringing bells around their kettles outside our shopping venues. We know the holiday season has arrived! Once Christmas is over, however, we tend to forget that the work of the Salvation Army is on-going, year-round. The money that you dropped in those kettles is not just for Christmas food and toys for needy children; it supports their programs all throughout the year.
Locally, they operate a Shelter for men, open from 5:00 pm until 8:00 am, providing showers and beds for 26 men. They have case workers to help the men formulate a plan to get their lives back on track. Every evening at 5:30, 7 days a week, an evening meal is served to men, women, and children. The Salvation Army’s Family Store is open Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00 am until 5:00 pm with furniture, household items and clothing available at great prices. They make nursing home visits, have disaster relief services and even Activity Clubs and Summer Camps for Kids aged 5-17. And, of course, Angel Tree at Christmas.
The Salvation Army was established in 1865, in London, England. It now has a worldwide membership of over 1.7 million, consisting of soldiers, officers and workers. It started in Meridian in 1902. “We are 
a church serving people in our community,” says Lt. Tamara Robb, Pastor. “We try to meet people’s physical and social service needs and then lead them to Jesus,” she explained. The Salvation Army’s ministry is motivated by the love of God and its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ while meeting human needs in His name without discrimination.
“We became a Chamber member because we wanted to learn about the community and what resources were available. Participating in Leadership Lauderdale has opened opportunities to meet new people. Sharing our story and letting people know how we serve the community is a great resource,” said Tamara.
The Salvation Army has many ways for you to get involved including: having a canned food drive, a toiletries drive, serving meals, helping sort and place items at the store or Adopting an Angel from the tree and providing Christmas for a child. Families, friends, teams, sororities, fraternities, civic organizations and Sunday School classes can ring bells at Christmas. People can also donate online to the kettles to help support the Salvation Army. You can be the one who helped a grandmother, who is raising her grandchildren, provide a good Christmas for them. You can be the one who helps stock supplies in the Mobile Kitchen that provides food and water for emergency workers in disaster areas.
“There is no reward equal to that of doing the most good to the most people in the most need.”
Evangeline Booth, daughter of the Salvation Army founders William & Catherine Booth
The Salvation Army
120 6th Ave., Meridian, MS