Salvation Army looking for extra help to assist people

The Salvation Army of Havre is requesting donations to help meet their utility needs after the harsh winter that made the needs requests higher than normal.

“The needs are higher than what we normally have because of the harder winter,” Social Services Director Trina Crawford said.

North-central Montana saw its second-coldest February on record this year.

Crawford added whatever money they receive through donations will go into the social services bucket and will be used for the rest of this month and some of next month to balance them out.

She said with the harsh winter and higher-than-normal utility bills, they have an increased number of requests for assistance and can’t finish out the month.

She said they hope people will “please prayerfully consider helping us with a donation that will help cover these needs.”

The Salvation Army Red Kettles that are out during Christmas season raise money for the social service budget. Last year, they raised $32,000 which was then divided by 12, to determine how much the organization can spend each month.

William Booth of London began The Salvation Army in 1865, after he had noticed people on the streets who were drunks, homeless, addicted and down and out. He envisioned a “salvation army” of people who would address these issues. Each Salvation Army is different, but comes together to meet the same purpose to “fill the community needs.”

The Salvation Army began in 1914.

“The big thing about The Salvation Army what the community needs to know is we are available for emergency services,” Crawford said.

The emergency services include the Reintegration into Society Program, budget training, emergency lodging and transportation, parenting classes and more.

People who want to donate online can visit https://havre.salvationarmy.org/.

It is important to note when doing online donations it is based on zip code. In-person donations can be dropped of at The Salvation Army Family Store at 322 Third St. Checks are also accepted to the Emergency Service Office at 328 Third St. Mondays and Tuesdays from 10:30 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. or can be mailed to The Salvation Army P.O. Box 418, Havre, MT 59501.