PEORIA, Ill. — You’re probably familiar with the Salvation Army’s Tree of Lights campaign during the holidays, which raises money for year-round programming.
During National Salvation Army Week, this week, there’s an opportunity to learn more about how the Corps really helps local communities in the Tri-County area. Peoria and Pekin have also declared it Salvation Army Week in their cities.
Major Heath Sells, of the Peoria area Salvation Army, says as Illinois’ COVID Snap benefits ended in March, the Salvation Army knew there’d be an increase in requests for assistance.
“I don’t know that we had anticipated a 170% increase in the request for food, but those food insecurities here in our population continue…with 10% of children under the age of 18 with food insecurities, and 8% of our senior citizens with food insecurities,” Sell says.
In the Tri-County area, Sells tells WMBD’s “The Greg and Dan Show,” emergency food and shelter assistance are their top priorities, but affordable childcare is also a huge need for parents so they can work.
“Whether that’s families looking because they work downtown at one of the hospitals, or because we have that affordable childcare, and quality childcare, to make sure the kids have a safe place to be and to learn,” Sells says.
To learn more about the Salvation Army and how you can give or volunteer, click HERE.
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