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The Salvation Army is much more than the bell-ringers who are out and about during the holidays.

The seeds of today’s Salvation Army were planted in 1865, when the Rev. William Booth took his mission to the London streets, preaching to and helping people in desperate need. Fast-forward 159 years, and the organization is still growing and going strong around the world.

“The Salvation Army is one of the largest and most trusted social service agencies in the world. Our programs address the emotional, physical and spiritual needs of all populations in our community, especially those of struggling families, children and veterans,” said Jeane Turner, community relations director for The Salvation Army of Colorado Springs.

The local corps has participated in the Empty Stocking Fund since it began, and Turner said that has brought in nearly $4 million for services such as case management, shelter, meals, day camps and after-school care to local families. Last year alone, Empty Stocking gave about $80,000 to the local Salvation Army.

According to an audit Turner provided, 89% of every dollar received goes to services and programs in this area.

The local army of helpers includes 49 full-time staffers, five part-timers and more than 43,000 volunteers providing nearly 73,000 hours of service.

Many of those volunteers pitch in to help at the free community meals on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day in Colorado Springs, Fountain, Manitou Springs and Woodland Park.

“Each year, one in every 30 people living in El Paso County is provided some type of service from The Salvation Army,” Turner said.

“That’s over 25,000 individuals getting help because of our mission to meet human need without discrimination. We show God’s love and combat poverty and homelessness in our community.”

The Salvation Army also maximizes what it takes in.

Just $10 pays for three nutritious meals for a senior citizen. For $32, one person can have a night of shelter, case management and a meal. For $50, a family will receive enough groceries to eat for a week. And $250 can help provide one week of shelter to a family in need.

On the higher end, $1,000 gives emergency food and support to 20 struggling families, and $5,000 provides one year of a supervised, licensed, after-school program for an at-risk youth.

The Salvation Army’s mission is to break the cycle of poverty that can beleaguer families.

“As the community’s only emergency family shelter, The Salvation Army R.J. Montgomery Family Hope Center is serving more families experiencing homelessness than ever before,” Turner said.

One woman, Natalie, was recovering from a challenging year when she moved to Colorado Springs with her teenage daughter. It seemed they were embarking on a fresh start — until Natalie fell seriously ill. That depleted her savings and she lost her job. Eventually, they had to ask for help at The Salvation Army’s Family Hope Center shelter.

That allowed Natalie the time to recover from surgery and look for a new job. Then, she saved enough money for a new home.

“I can finally give my daughter the life she deserves,” Natalie said. “The Salvation Army helped make this all possible.”

To help younger family members, after-school programs and summer day camps provide holistic services and gospel teachings. Veterans can turn to one of Colorado’s largest and most successful veteran transitional housing programs, which serves up to 64 veterans and their families experiencing homelessness.

But the need just keeps growing. The local corps’ budget was $6.7 million in 2023 and increased to $9.2 million in 2024. “Our programs are seeing record numbers of individuals seeking assistance,” Turner said.