No more money left to provide assistance
By Alexis Hunt
Wednesday, November 04, 2009 at 4:29 p.m.
Read more: Local, Economy, Education, Community
MACOMB, ILL. -- "If it wasn't for the Salvation Army, there's been a few years my kids wouldn't have Christmas."
A single mother of two, Sarah Burton has been shaken hard by this rough economy. When times get tough, she turns to the Salvation Army for food and for help paying her bills. She may have nowhere to turn this holiday season.
Q: Who will you rely on now if there's no Salvation Army? "Probably have to work extra hours on my job. Try to pick up odds and ends on the side, or see if other churches are available," Burton said.
Captain Owen Thompson is the Director of the McDonough County Salvation Army. He says this is the worst shape the agency's been in. This time last year, the agency provided food from its pantry to about six families. This year it's helping 15 to 20 families...new faces that never needed assistance before, some of them even past donors.
Q: What's the Salvation Army's biggest need now? "Food is needed for the pantry, but money. We're no longer able to help because our bank account is too dry. We can't help with rent, heat assistance or utility. We just don't have it to give out," said Thompson.
Q: What are you telling folks who come here needing help? "We're doing, unfortunately, what other agencies are doing, sending them to someone else," he said.
Thompson says he hopes the annual Red Kettle Campaign will put the organization back on track. It needs to raise $6,000. Even with funds running on empty, Thompson says area families won't go without this holiday season.
"They'll have food one way or another. God always provides," Thompson said.
The McDonough County Salvation Army does not get money from the state or the federal government.
It relies on donations. For more information on how you can help the Salvation Army, call (309) 837-4824. If you and your family need help this holiday season, you can apply at the Salvation Army office during the following times:
Thur, Nov. 5th 1pm to 4pm
Tue, Nov. 19th 1pm to 4pm
Wed, Nov 11th 1pm to 4pm
Thur, Nov 12th 1pm to 4pm
You'll need to bring a current photo ID, Social Security Card for all household members, proof of residency, proof of income for all adults, proof of all expenses for all adults, proof of custody of child/children and gift ideas.
The agency also is celebrating Thanksgiving with a free dinner on Thursday, November 19 from 5 to 7 p-m.
