The upcoming winter months are always a good reminder of what the Salvation Army does for communities nationwide.
But the organization is actually a year-round resource for individuals and families in need year-round. And next year, the organization, both nationally and locally in the city of La Porte, will be marking significant milestones.
Celebrating 150 years of service, the Salvation Army’s local chapter, the La Porte Salvation Army, will mark 125 years in 2015.
“We always need to be helping each other,” Greg Irwin, envoy of the La Porte Salvation Army told business leaders affiliated with the Greater La Porte Chamber of Commerce during the Chamber’s September luncheon at Spire Farm to Fork Cuisine.
“If you have a need, we will do everything in our power to help you, and there are no strings attached,” he added.
Working together with other non-profit organizations like First Step of La Porte and REAL Services, which provides five meals a week for seniors, the organization’s positive impact in the maple city has only grown stronger in recent years.
“We love working with the community and with people like Dave Sisk or the La Porte County United Way,” said Irwin.
Irwin pointed out that 438 families accessed the Army’s food pantry in September and 700 came to their soup kitchen. Character building programs are held at night for children, with 35 kids being sent to camp during the summer of 2014.
Their impact on the community’s youth does not end there, however. Food in backpacks for 310 elementary school students, who get six meals over the weekend, every week, are chosen by the area’s schools based on need.
Contributing Editor Tim Moran contributed to this report.