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Religion

Salvation Army takes stock of year's charity

The Christian group reflects on the $2.7-million in programs it ran for the needy in upper Pinellas County in 2005.

By EILEEN SCHULTE
Published April 8, 2006

It's swanky.

It's exclusive.

And it's a place many Salvation Army clients probably have never set foot in.

It's the Belleair Country Club, site of the annual civic dinner for the organization in upper Pinellas County.

Although the surroundings at Tuesday's dinner may have been elegant, the goal of the Salvation Army was righteous: To discuss how it has helped the needy in 2005, and what can be done to serve them better in the future.

Last year, the National Low Income Coalition counted 4,540 homeless people in Pinellas County, and 20 percent of them were children.

Contrary to what some people may believe, many of those living on the streets are employed, according to Kip Corriveau, director of social services for the Salvation Army of upper Pinellas County.

But how can you find a place to live when you're making only $6.15 an hour, he asked.

"The average two-bedroom apartment in Pinellas County is $838 a month,'' Corriveau said. "It would take a minimum-wage earner 105 hours a week to afford an apartment.''

Major H. Dean Hinson, commanding officer of the Salvation Army of upper Pinellas County, outlined some of the organization's services provided to help these people.

In 2005, the Christian organization had revenue of more than $2.8-million from public and governmental sources.

Of that, almost all of it, $2.7-million, was spent on programs such as the organization's Hispanic ministry, Christmas, seasonal and disaster assistance, homeless intervention, transitional housing, and a preschool.

In 2005, the Salvation Army, through its volunteers, personnel and programs:

n Helped 34,466 people in times of crisis.

n Visited 9,973 hospital patients.

n.Distributed $37,386 in cash grants and welfare orders.

n Provided overnight lodging to 18,577 people.

n Served 18,987 meals and 13,744 holiday dinners.

n Provided worship services and character-building activities for 67,960 people.

The keynote speaker was B. Franklin Skinner, former chief executive of BellSouth, and the retired chairman of the Salvation Army's National Advisory Board.

He spoke about the importance of Salvation Army service, not just at Christmas, but throughout the year.

Part of the evening's discussion was about the $5.5-million Mallory/Powell Social Services campus, which opened in July at Druid Road and Highland Avenue and offers transitional housing.

"It's homeless prevention,'' Corriveau said. "It's for people who are working and getting on their feet.''

Ten families now live in the $300-a-month apartments. They can stay for up to a year.

Corriveau said the Salvation Army works with the city to help pay part of the residents' rent and utilities.

The Salvation Army's Lt. Col. Tom Jones said the 140-year-old organization has always addressed the basics of life, such as food, shelter and clothing, helping "people who have fallen off the cliff of life.''

But he knows larger tragedies loom.

"There are more national disasters, drugs, AIDS,'' Jones said. "As Skinner, the keynote speaker said, perhaps this is the season of opportunity for the Salvation Army to deal with the problems of today.''

Eileen Schulte can be reached at (727) 445-4153 or schulte@sptimes.com.

[Last modified April 8, 2006, 10:59:23]