How to Give Hope to Millions of Americans Impacted by COVID-19

With a Gift on Giving Tuesday Now, Help the Country's Largest Direct Service Charity Provide Critical Hope to Those in Need

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (May 1, 2020) - On Tuesday, May 5, The Salvation Army and Candace Cameron Bure are asking people to join the Fight for Good by providing hope and help to those impacted by the coronavirus. For millions of Americans experiencing urgent need, The Salvation Army is their first stop for help. In response to this pandemic, the organization has been providing food (3.2 million meals and 1 million food boxes), safe shelter (572,000 nights of lodging), and emotional and spiritual support (363,000 individuals helped), as well as youth programs, financial assistance and hygiene kits in almost every ZIP code in America. With increased demand for aid expected to continue over the coming weeks, months, and potentially years, ongoing public support will be needed to ensure basic necessities are fulfilled with compassion and dignity.

Although this is an unprecedented time in our history, facing stark realities is not new for The Salvation Army. Throughout its 153-year ministry, it has delivered programming rooted in hope, which is a critical component to overcoming adversity. Serving more than 23 million Americans a year, the organization helps families living in poverty battle everyday enemies - today, these enemies are exponentially magnified.

"We're not fighting just a pandemic - it's a pandemic that sits atop hunger, housing and opioid epidemics," said David Hudson, National Commander of The Salvation Army. "We've seen enough success, as well as heartbreak, to know how crucial it is that people not only have access to basic necessities like food and shelter but that they have coping mechanisms to handle the distress. Hope is what can get us through even the darkest of days."