To the editor:
More than at any time in decades, our friends, neighbors and family members are finding themselves out of work, often out of their homes, and in desperate need of all of our help to find food, clothing and shelter.
Across Massachusetts right now, we are seeing the most dramatic increase in need that any of us have ever experienced.
The Salvation Army, for more than a century, has strived to never turn any person in need away.
But right now, in the depths of these terrible economic times, we need your help to keep that promise.
The Salem Salvation Army has seen 1,125 more people come to us for food and shelter at this point this year than at the same time last year — a 46 percent increase in need.
These numbers represent real people, from fragile elders to the smallest children, who are finding themselves in need of either an occasional meal at our soup kitchen or a bag of groceries from our food pantry. This unprecedented need, driven by soaring unemployment and the crisis of foreclosed homes, is potentially going to get worse as both the city and the state, strapped by falling revenues, are forced to cut some of the programs that help the needy cope with bad times.
We are not alone.
Across Massachusetts, groups like Project Bread, Catholic Charities, Jewish Family Services and others who provide help to those in need, are finding themselves scrambling to keep up with the need.
Over the course of the last year, since this crisis began, the Salvation Army in Massachusetts has served more than a million meals to the hungry; provided 163,000 nights of shelter to those with no home, and provided direct assistance in the form of food, clothes or fuel aid to nearly 325,000 individuals, families or seniors.
The trend is consistent across the state, with some communities seeing as much as a 250-percent increase in the number of individuals and families served.
The Salvation Army has been working proactively to try to find the funds and resources necessary to provide for those who need their help.
The Salvation Army, whether in Cambridge, Boston, or right here in Salem, is turning to our most trusted and generous supporter for help: You.
Across this state we are asking the men and women who already give so much to give a little more this year.
Please come to our headquarters at 93 North St. with your donations of money, groceries or volunteer time. Or contact us at 978-744-5181.
Donors can also go to www.use.salvationarmy-ma.org to find online giving forms and directions on how you can help.
Remember: When you give to the Salvation Army, you give directly to those who need help. Roughly 83 cents out of every dollar goes directly to help the needy.
Capts. Scott and Nora McNeil
Salvation Army
Salem
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