Nonprofit Spotlight

words Catherine Frederick with Captain Staci Gainey, Captain, Salvation Army Fort Smith

The Salvation Army Fort Smith’s mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination. They fulfill this mission through a variety of programs including housing & homeless services as well as hunger relief. Do South® reached out to Staci Gainey, Captain, to learn more.

301 N 6th Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.783.6145 salvationarmyfs.org

Next month, we’ll showcase another worthy charity in our area free of charge. If you have a nonprofit you’d like to see recognized, email us at catherine@dosouthmagazine.com. DS: In what ways does The Salvation Army Fort Smith support our communities? The Salvation Army of Fort Smith serves the community by offering utility assistance, rental assistance, and a food pantry for groceries three times a week. Our Red Shield Diner serves a hot meal every night of the year to anyone who is hungry. Our shelter offers a safe place to sleep for those who are in need. At Christmastime, the Angel Tree gives families hope by providing toys and food to those who are struggling to make ends meet.

DS: How is The Salvation Army Fort Smith assisting our community during the COVID-19 pandemic? We continue to serve our community, just differently. Our food pantry has moved out of the building to the outside pantry door where individuals walk up, pick up their food bags, and choose from a variety of donated foods. They take what they need, and what they will use in their households. The Red Shield Diner serves outside in to-go containers, by masked employees and volunteers. We have reduced the risk of exposure with our Angel Tree Program by providing families with online applications. The Salvation Army of Fort Smith received a generous grant in March that gave us the ability to provide meals, snacks, and drinks to the medical team at the Mercy test site and call center. We are also providing snacks and drinks for the medical team at the Baptist test site. We received grants specifically for families who were impacted by Covid-19 to provide them with rent and utility assistance, which was very helpful as many families and individuals have been unable to pay their rent and utilities.

DS: What is the greatest hurdle The Salvation Army Fort Smith faces rising from COVID-19? We have seen a drop in volunteers, as some are hesitant to gather to cook and/ or serve in the diner, in the Angel Tree warehouse, or in the pantry. We need volunteers to provide the needed services to the community. We provide masks, gloves, aprons, hand washing stations, and sanitizer as needed. One struggle we are experiencing is that we now have added expenses due to Covid; to-go containers, masks, gloves, sanitizer, cleaning supplies for daily cleaning, and food for individuals and families who are out of work.

DS: How can members of our community who would like to volunteer or make a financial donation do so? Also, are there any upcoming events our readers should know about? You can go to our website www.salvationarmyfs.org and find out how you can help. There are opportunities to give financially, sign up to volunteer, and special events that are happening. Currently, our Red Kettle Campaign is still going strong and we need bell ringers! You can grab your family, your book club, your Sunday school class, or your rotary club and go to www.RegisterToRing.com, and sign up for a time you can ring a bell and feed a family. Thank you for helping #RescueChristmas for the people in the River Valley this year.