WHO WE ARE FAITH IN ACTION
HOPE ON THE
HUDSON by ROBERT MITCHELL
It’s still the go–to place to get a free turkey at Thanksgiving and toys for Christmas. You also can stop by during the week and pick up a lunch and a food box, all served with a warm smile from a caring staff of volunteers. Housed in a non–descript building in the heart of Hudson, N.Y., the remnants of a former church are still visible here, if you look closely. Where the pulpit once stood is now the entrance to a food storage closet. A simple cross adorns a wall that is stacked to the ceiling with food boxes. From a back office, a wall–hanging that depicts Jesus Christ overlooks the whole operation. The building hasn’t been a church for about a decade, but The Salvation Army Service Center still retains a huge presence in this rural community along the Hudson River in upstate New York. The center has its own advisory board and performs most functions that a Salvation Army church would, except worship services. Service centers are located in mostly suburban and rural areas (see page 7). “We engage the community and try to spread a little love, a little joy, a little hope, and a little Jesus, every day,” says Barbie Rodriguez, the center’s assistant director. Center Director Darcy Connor oversees the operation with 18 volunteers, who maintain staggered work schedules. The center serves lunch on weekdays and distributes food boxes twice a week. Besides Thanksgiving and Christmas distributions, the volunteers also give away hams at Easter and backpacks of food when kids go to school in the fall.
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Volume 7 Number 4, 2021
