SALVATION ARMY CORPS AND RELIEF DEPARTMENT

SALVATION ARMY CORPS AND RELIEF DEPARTMENT. The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church was established in London in 1865 by William Booth. It has been supporting those in need without discrimination for 130 years in the United States. Nearly thirty million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army annually through social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. Eighty-two cents of every dollar spent is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. (1)

Developed by The Salvation Army, the Pathway of Hope is an approach providing targeted services to families with a desire to take action to break the cycle of crisis and enable a path out of inter-generational poverty. Through the use of strengths-based case management, it is designed to build upon the capabilities of families and empower them to overcome barriers. As families begin to move along the pathway toward sufficiency, raising hope is an integral part of the process. By targeting families with children, the impact of the program is doubled, in that two generations are touched by one program. Additional Services: Christmas Program; Food Pantry; Senior Citizen Center (2) The Dubuque Corps of the Salvationists offer the same ministries as the international organization provides more than 300 countries.

The Dubuque organization began in 1885. In 1921 it had offices on Main Street and since 1971 has operated from a building at 11th and Iowa STREETS. The Robert Wahlert Memorial Chapel opened within the complex in 1973 offers Sunday praise and worship services. (3)

Membership in the organization includes adherents, soldiers and officers. Adherents consider the Salvation Army their place of worship. Soldiers sign a declaration of faith, practice "Articles of War," and give volunteer service. They enlist for two-years of training and upon graduation are ordained ministers, commissioned officers, and are appointed to a place of service.

The Salvation Army has a long record of service to Dubuque. In 1921, for example, officers held meetings in the local jail and offered help to families of inmates. (4) In 1930 records showed that 3,862 people received material relief including 1,775 families, 3,032 garments and 282 pairs of shoes were distributed among the needy, 175 children enjoyed toys at Christmas, and 630 transients were assisted. (5) In 1941 fifty needy children from Dubuque's public and parochial school received free hot lunch at the Salvation Army headquarters. (6) In fourteen days of fighting flooding in 1969 the Salvation Army, with food and preparation facilities donated, provided 7,200 meals including 22 gallons of beef stew, 48 gallons of chili, 95 gallons of coffee, and 410 cups of hot chocolate. Robert P. GOOCH, commander of the Salvation Army, reported that more food was consumed and time spent on that flood than the one in 1967, but less than the record flood of 1965. (7) In 1971 the City Department of Recreation in cooperation with the Salvation Army announced that the Girls' Recreation Center would reopen in the new Salvation Army building at 1099 Iowa Street. (8) In 2014 the Salvation Army's Christmas toys campaign reached 483 families.

In 2007 membership locally and across the United States in the 1,285 centers was stagnant while new members in developing countries "skyrocketed." (9) While membership held steady, need locally rose. In 2007 records indicated that 75 more families than in 2006 asked for assistance. At Christmas, 560 families received 3,400 toys and food. Hundreds of seniors annually use recreational and educational opportunities at the Army's senior center, all free of charge. (10)

Half of the operating budget comes from donation made in the red kettles manned during the Christmas season. The remaining half comes from grants, United Way and direct mailing appeals. (11) A cash-less society has created problems with seasonal donations. In 2017 there were 19 kettle sites throughout Dubuque, but unable to reach its financial goals in the past two years the goal for 2017 was lowered. Finding volunteers has also been more difficult with between 20-25 people needing to be hired. To help, bell-ringers began at grocery stores on November 15th to provide a few extra days of collections. The focus was providing an programs including an emergency food bank and senior center. (12) Local officials reported that neither programming nor quality have had to be cut.

The 1987 through 1993 Dubuque City Directory listed 1099 Iowa.

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Source:

1. "Salvation Army," United Way. Online: http://dbqunitedway.galaxydigital.com/agency/detail/?agency_id=57782

2. Ibid.

3. Nevans-Pederson, Mary. "Soldiers of Christ," Telegraph Herald, January 27, 2007, p. 1D

4. "Chamber Appoints Charity Fund Body," Telegraph-Herald, October 2, 1921, p. 7

5. "Where Your Money Went," Telegraph-Herald, March 19, 1930, p. 20

6. "Needy Pupils Fed Hot Lunch," Telegraph-Herald, March 30, 1941, p. 15

7. "Beef Stew and Chili Kept Floodworkers Going," Telegraph-Herald, May 21, 1969, p. 13

8. "Recreation Center to Open," Telegraph-Herald, October 31, 1971, p. 3

9. Nevans-Pederson

10. Ibid.

11. Ibid.

12. Jacobson, Ben. "Organizers: Cash-less Society Means Fewer Salvation Army Donations," Telegraph Herald, December 16, 2017, p. 3