Discovering the Real Jesus in Monroe

Yesterday I met with Jim Alban of the Salvation Army-Monroe. Jim told me about an opportunity the SA has to raise matching grant funds. If the SA can raise $9000 by March 9, they may be able to get an $18,000 grant. That’s $27,000 for the price of $9000!

All the funds will be used to help the needy right here in our Monroe community.

If you would like to help meet this need please contact: Jim Alban – 734-241-0440 (Salvation Army); 734-652-8799 (cell); james_alban@usc.salvationarmy.org.

(Here’s the entire SA news release below.)

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The Salvation Army reallocates $3.45 million to aid newly unemployed

Charity appeals to communities to match funds

Des Plaines, IL—The Salvation Army in 11 Midwestern states has reallocated $3.45 million dollars to be pumped directly into local Salvation Army services. The funds are designated for direct service needs for families and individuals who are in crisis as a result of unemployment occurring after October 1, 2008. Salvation Army units that wish to apply must show community support by arranging for a 50 percent match with the local faith community, civic organization, and businesses. The local Salvation Army applicants also must provide a cost-containment plan that analyzes expenses, eliminates waste and delays non-essential/new spending. The deadline for applications for these funds is March 9, 2009.

Continuing to meet needs

While meeting the ongoing needs of the poor without discrimination will continue to be the its focus, The Salvation Army expects economic conditions to increase aid requests from new clients by 15 percent during 2009. These new funds are expected to be utilized by 65 percent of Salvation Army units in the Midwest, or Central Territory (more than 225 locations in 11 Midwestern states).

“In many instances, former donors are turning to us, asking for help they always assumed was for others. This is a new population, impacted by situational poverty, who have been formerly employed and with housing,” said Colonel Carol Seiler, Coordinator for Strategic Ministry Planning for The Salvation Army in the Midwest.

“We know there will be 225 communities where The Salvation Army currently has a presence—and the local faith community and other civic groups and businesses are being asked to provide a letter of intent for 50 percent matching funds,” Seiler concluded.

The grant money will be divided among the units whose grant applications show the greatest need. Up to 125 high demand areas will receive $18,000 grants and as many as 100 moderate demand areas can receive $12,000 grants. The $18,000 grants need to be matched by $9,000 in community based contributions, while the $12,000 grants will require a $6,000 community-based match.

Donors wishing to help with the community match portion of the grant should contact their local Salvation Army to initiate a letter of intent. Supporters may also donate directly to their local Salvation Army at usc.salvationarmy.org

About the Salvation Army

The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination since 1865.  Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of 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.  About 83 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in nearly 5,000 communities nationwide.  For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.