Effective Friday, Nov 20 services provided by the Center of Hope that includes the shelter, community feeding and family services will be on hold for 14 days out of an abundance of caution due to a positive COVID19 test. For more information, please read the issued press release.
With a presence in almost every ZIP code in America, The Salvation Army is uniquely positioned to respond to the unique needs of people living in poverty. These challenges are exponentially magnified during times of crisis, including pandemics like coronavirus (COVID-19). Across the United States, we are stepping up to the challenge and continue to serve the most vulnerable populations in each community including Greater Lynchburg.
Salvation Army Greater Lynchburg Response
All programs and services continue to be provided with the following updates:
- Utility and rent assistance by appointment only. Call 434-845-5939
- Community feeding at dinner in to-go containers on side of Center of Hope building
- Breakfast moved to designated area of front lobby with individually wrapped items
- Increased cleaning schedules at Center of Hope by staff and residents
- All residents and staff wear face masks made and provided by the Center of Hope staff
- Temporary suspension of clothing donations and clothing closet.
- Donations of food being received behind building at designated site
- Portable hand washing stations provided at Center of Hope Park Ave entrance and during community feeding
- Social distancing guidelines implemented in feeding line and residential area
- Temperature checks and COVID-19 screening provided daily for all residents and staff
- Residents encouraged to stay on property unless working in essential jobs
- Everyone must enter the Center of Hope through the Park Ave entrance
- Weekly coordination with community leaders and partners as well as CDC and government leadership to meet required guidelines and resolve challenges
Ways you can help during this time:
- Pray for those affected and those who are serving
- Send and post notes of encouragement
- Reach out and check on neighbors, friend and family
- Volunteer to serve at your Salvation Army
- Help us help families who have lost their income by making a cash donation
- Help us feed those struggling with a donation of food to our community feeding program
If you or someone you know needs hope, call the Hope Hotline at 1-844-458-HOPE (4673), open from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. ET, or call your Lynchburg Corps at 434-845-5939.
The Salvation Army’s Nationwide Response to Coronavirus COVID-19
As the coronavirus COVID-19 has evolved into a pandemic, we are monitoring the situation daily. Safety is of utmost priority, so we have ramped up efforts to slow the spread of this virus among our employees, volunteers, and the homeless and other vulnerable people we serve.
In the United States, one in six people live in poverty, and more than 550,000 are counted as homeless. These populations severely lack access to proper care, hygiene, updated information, and medical resources, which makes them more susceptible to the virus. This is where we come in. This is who we serve.
We are working with local, state, and federal government and health authorities, including participating in situation awareness calls with federal partners like FEMA, CDC, DHS, and HHS. We are developing new hygiene and cleaning protocols to help keep safe our residents and others who depend on The Salvation Army’s programs and services to survive. In addition, all staff, volunteers, and program participants have been sent hygiene and prevention information as recommended by the CDC.
Meanwhile, our local divisions will continue to work in close partnership with area government and health experts to prepare and respond to meet specific community needs of 23 million individuals we serve each year and the more than 63,000 employees of our organization. We will continue to update this page as developments warrant.
We need support from our communities to continue to meet the daily needs of these vulnerable populations. Your donations will continue to help us respond to the situation.
