The Salvation Army Response to COVID-19

Mar 13, 2020

Update, 3/19/20

Additional safety measures to protect the communities we serve

Around the Midwest we are taking numerous precautions to combat the spread of the Coronavirus, while still providing critical and much needed services to our communities:

• Preparing food boxes in case they are needed for a new method of distribution. Transitioned from client-choice to food boxes. Handing out boxed lunches in place of community meals where large groups would normally congregate. Moving pantry pickups to drive thru-style and changing community meals to include safer, packaged foods. Working closely with the schools to take purchased food and give it out from Salvation Army facilities.
• Staying in contact with government officials, including local mayors, governors and county commissioners. Working with Department of Health to identify protocol in case an infected person shows up.
• The Salvation Army will be the lead agency in numerous communities to provide ongoing mass care for those impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.
• Working with community centers to make sure their food pantries are clean and stocked. Making sure apartment housing is clean and sanitized.
• Adhering to all guidelines about gatherings and cancelling events for the safety of all.
• Reaching out to school superintendents and partnering with schools to ensure that students whose only daily meal comes from school will have access to food.
• Implementing quarantine procedures at shelters.
• Limiting direct contact with members of the senior population to reduce their risk of exposure and identifying new ways to serve this population. Putting extra cleaning and safety measures in place at our senior housing facilities.
• Moving to telephone interviews with clients who need services.
• Providing emotional and spiritual care to those who are struggling. Looking for creating ways to assist donors who feel isolated.
• To insure the safety of shoppers and employees Family Stores will be closed until April 3 and residential donation pick-ups are temporarily suspended. Read the full article, Family Stores Response to COVID-19

Here’s How You Can Help

In addition to financial contributions of cash and gift cards, The Salvation Army is currently in need of the following product donations: bread, non-perishable food, paper products like paper towels and toilet paper, and sanitizing products. Please contact your local Salvation Army for more information on their specific needs and donation drop-off hours.

Salvation Army’s throughout the Midwest are also discussing their steps to combat COVID-19. Please click on your geographic region below for an in-depth response to COVID-19

• Central Illinois & Eastern Iowa
• Chicagoland, Northern Illinois and Northeast Indiana 
• Eastern Michigan 
• Indiana
• Kansas & Western Missouri
• Minnesota and North Dakota
• Missouri and Southern Illinois
• Nebraska, South Dakota and Western Iowa
• Western Michigan and Northern Indiana
• Wisconsin and Upper Michigan

Updated Statement From The Salvation Army on COVID-19 (3/13/20)

With the novel coronavirus now declared a pandemic, The Salvation Army has significantly increased its preparation for an impending outbreak in the United States and has ramped up efforts to mitigate the spread of the virus, especially among the homeless and other vulnerable populations.

Salvation Army Facilities Serving Vulnerable Populations

With one in six people living in poverty and over 550,000 people counted as homeless, a disproportionate number of Americans impacted by this outbreak possibly will be lower-income or experiencing homelessness. Although people experiencing homelessness can be more isolated, they also tend to have chronic medical issues and severely lack access to proper hygiene, updated information, medical resources, and care.

In our residential facilities, close living conditions mean infectious disease can easily spread among residents. Additional cleaning throughout the day, with elevated focus on high-traffic areas, and sanitation supplies are part of every location’s infectious-disease protocol. If a resident or staff member gets sick, isolation/quarantine areas will be established, additional healthcare will be needed, and staff needs will increase.

Several industries are at risk of financial hardship, such as travel and hospitality. We anticipate a significant increase in emergency assistance for low-wage employees who may be temporarily laid off due to the coronavirus. Types of support include rent/mortgage, utility, and food assistance. 

Ensuring the safety of those who depend on The Salvation Army’s programs and services, along with the safety of staff and volunteers, is of utmost priority. We are working with health officials at the local, state, and federal levels – including participating in situation-awareness calls with federal partners such as FEMA, CDC, DHS, and HHS. Hygiene and prevention guidance in accordance with recommendations from CDC is being used and shared with staff, volunteers, and program participants. Additional protocols are being formed quickly across the U.S. should further restrictions be placed on our communities.

Salvation Army Efforts in High-Impact Areas

In Chicago

• Our Emergency Disaster Services team has a standing seat on the Office of Emergency Management and Communication planning team.
• Snacks and beverages have been provided to O’Hare International Airport for the past six weeks to personnel and passengers being tested for coronavirus.
• Congregate senior lunch that was occurring daily is now providing meals in to-go boxes and food delivery as necessary.

In Washington State

• Housing programs and shelter programs will remain fully operational with precautionary measures, like daily resident communication, no congregate meetings, access to cleaning supplies, increased space between residents, etc.
• In King, Snohomish, and Pierce Counties, all senior activities and gatherings have been suspended through the end of March, church services have been suspended for the next Sundays, and guests going to food banks will register at the door without entering.

In New York City

• Rockland and Westchester Counties have suspended all activities related to school closure and government containment area decisions.
• Where possible, staff are developing plans for remote emotional and spiritual care and worship using live-stream tools or video calling.
• We are participating in planning conversations with NYC Emergency Management around mobile food delivery (e.g., delivering prepared meals to seniors who depend on them at NYC Department for the Aging senior centers).
• Each facility is screening visitors in advance and upon arrival for fever or signs of acute respiratory illness and assessing existing clients upon admission to the facility.

In North Texas

• Shelters are actively screening incoming residents and volunteers by asking about any symptoms. If anyone exhibits or reports coronavirus symptoms, staff immediately recommend medical treatment at a nearby county hospital.
• If necessary, special quarantine areas will be set up inside the shelters, and noncritical services will be temporarily suspended.

Individuals we serve daily will feel the impacts of this crisis on a greater level. We need support from our communities to be able to continue to provide these vulnerable populations with adequate support throughout this pandemic. As the situation evolves, we will work in close partnership to prepare and respond to meet the needs of the 23 million people we serve each year and the more than 63,000 employees of our organization.

View our national response to COVID-19

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