A Message of Hope from the Divisional Leaders

In a state so rich in history, education and resources, it is hard to believe that children go hungry. I was struck by the sentiments of Candace Simourian on the first page of this year’s Annual Report regarding their family’s contribution to our Backpack68 program. She asked her husband John, “Did we give enough?”

Because you give, fewer children go hungry, more seniors have a positive place to spend their golden years and families are overcoming poverty.

But, is that enough?

Our mission is not simply to feed the hungry over and over and over again. Our aim is to meet people’s needs in a way that transforms their lives to the point where they no longer need our services.

Working closely with the families that seek our help, we look to find the root of their problems, not just what we can see on the surface. Many of the people who come to us for help at the holidays or to supplement their income from a low-wage job never expected to need help from The Salvation Army. An act of compassion at the right time can place a life or a family on the track to self-sufficiency.

But, are we satisfied with that?

Ultimately, our goal is to restore hope. Poverty has a way of robbing people of their dignity, their sense of self worth, their belief that things will be better one day. When our vulnerable neighbors walk through the doors to our centers, more than food or financial assistance, our goal is that they find hope.

Thanks to you, the good news is that’s happening. This Annual Report will introduce you to transformed lives and share instances from across the Commonwealth of renewed hope.

Majors David B. and Margaret W. Davis