Salvation Army still serving community's most vulnerable during pandemic

KINGSPORT — The Salvation Army of Kingsport's operations on Dale Street remain open to serve meals, provide overnight shelter, distribute food boxes and offer hope to those in need.The circumstances of the novel coronavirus pandemic will not deter the Salvation Army from fulfilling its mission of "Doing the Most Good" by "meeting human needs in Jesus' name without discrimination," a news release from the organization stated.It has, however, changed the way those services are being delivered.FOOD SERVICEThe Salvation Army typically serves a hot lunch each day in its Dale Street facility. Social distancing requirements and the limitations on group gatherings prevent that in the dining room. Yet the need for daily food distribution still exists. To meet that need, the Salvation Army of Kingsport has converted its hot meal program into a bagged "Grab and Go" meal available to anyone who needs it. The meals remain nutritious and are now portable. They are made available for daily pickup between noon and 1 p.m. at the front entrance of the organization's building, located at 505 Dale St. Food boxes are also still available to qualifying individuals and families in need by calling the office at (423) 246-6671.SHELTERThe "shelter in place" and social distancing guidelines intended to limit transmission of this highly contagious disease have an increased disruptive impact on people needing temporary shelter and food. Consider those in the Kingsport community already without permanent housing, without adequate food, or without basic hygiene facilities. Living conditions that were difficult become much worse.The Salvation Army of Kingsport continues to offer shelter at its Dale Street location. The new requirement for six feet of distance between individuals has required moving beds in the overnight shelter farther apart. Though that action has reduced the total number of beds the space will hold, the temporary shelter remains available to those in need with social distancing guidelines in place for each person's health, safety and well-being.HOW TO HELPThe Salvation Army is committed to meeting community needs. The agency anticipates the need for its services will greatly increase in coming months due to the economic impact of the pandemic. As a result, ongoing public support will remain critical to ensuring no one is turned away due to lack of resources, the release said.To maintain the current level of service in its lunch program and food pantry, the Salvation Army of Kingsport is seeking donations of the following items: prepared food in "pop-top" cans (i.e. Beanie Weenies, SpaghettiOs, Vienna sausages), snack crackers, breakfast bars, snack cakes, individual chips, sandwich bread, canned vegetables, bottled water, drinks and paper lunch bags. Other needed items include individual hand sanitizer packets, bleach, disinfecting wipes, deodorant, personal care toiletries, food service gloves, washcloths, toilet paper, coloring books and crayons.Donations of these items can be dropped off at the Dale Street office between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday.Financial support is also needed. As this crisis continues and the need grows, the Salvation Army and other local agencies need increased community support to meet the needs. Anyone financially able is encouraged to support the Army's efforts "to meet human needs without discrimination in the name of Jesus Christ" 365 days per year and especially during these trying times.Donations can be made online and directed to regional needs at www.SalArmy-Tennessee.org.