The Henderson Salvation Army has paused its financial assistance program until May 1.
Major Claire Grainger said the Salvation Army’s thrift store has had a tough couple of months, and the local charity organization finds itself unable to keep up with the requests that are coming in, many related to high utility bills that people have not been able to pay down.
“There’s just so much need,” Grainger said.
Food assistance as well as clothing and furniture assistance will continue, she said.
The local Salvation Army works on a financial assistance budget of $500 per week, an allotment that gives five people $100 to help with utilities. She said that during some weeks recently, the total amount requested was $2,000-$3,000.
Grainger said that the money most often pays only a portion of what is owed, leaving many to find other ways to pay utilities. Many can’t find a way to pay, she said.
“I can’t tell you how many people in this community are living without utilities now,” she said.
For many of the people Grainger, along with her husband, Norman, serve at the Salvation Army, utilities added to other living expenses equate to a perfect storm for them and their family.
“Rent in this community is not cheap,” she said.
Additionally, the Salvation Army gives only assistance to one person one time per year; other organizations give financial assistance once every two years to an individual, Grainger said.
Add to that, she said, 30% of the people in the local Salvation Army’s service area—Webster, Union and Henderson counties—are disabled in some way. “So, they don’t work,” she said.
The thrift store the last couple weeks has improved, and Grainger hopes that the financial assistance program can be ready to re-open by the end of April.
Those wishing to donate can mail checks to Salvation Army, P.O. Box 835, Henderson, KY 42419, or drop checks off at the Salvation Army office at 1213 Washington St. during morning hours.
Editor’s note: The writer of this article is a member of the Henderson Salvation Army’s advisory board.