The Salvation Army Central Territory-made up of 11 states in the Midwest-announced today that a total of $3.6 million will be distributed to assist newly unemployed persons throughout the Midwest.
The money will be used exclusively for families and individuals who are in crisis as a result of unemployment occurring after Oct. 1, 2008.
• $1.3 million in funding will come from community donations across the Midwest.
• $2.3 million of the funds will come from The Salvation Army’s Central Territorial Headquarters.
• 148 Salvation Army locations in the Midwest will receive grants averaging just over $25,000.
• 41 locations will each receive a total of $18,000.
• 107 locations will each receive a total of $27,000.
Sensing deteriorating conditions, the Salvation Army moved quickly in February with its unprecedented decision to make immediate grant money available to help the newly unemployed. According to Commissioner Barry Swanson, Commander of The Salvation Army Central Territory, “An ‘economic summit’ of Salvation Army leaders, and financial and social services professionals, determined there was no time to take a traditional approach to implementing a new program to meet these new demands.”
Grants of $12,000 or $18,000 were made available, but to receive the money, half of the requested amount needed to be matched by community donations. This two-for-one match made communities that raised $9,000 eligible for matching funds of $18,000, giving their local Salvation Army a total of $27,000.
“The generosity of individuals, community organizations and churches has been remarkable. In communities throughout the Midwest, The Salvation Army quickly raised just over $1.3 million,” continued Swanson. “In these difficult times people are digging deeply to help those around them. We are deeply blessed and gratified by this support.”
Read about individual states’ fundraising and the grants received at Salvation Army webpage.