Salvation Army sees increase in help requests

It has been a busy year for the Dodge County Salvation Army as requests for assistance have increased as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

The need is great, said Salvation Army volunteer Faye Wendland, but county residents have also been stepping up to help. The annual Christmas bell ringing campaign is now under way, she said, and so far it is ahead of last year.

Bell ringers have been at four locations in Kasson since Thanksgiving, she said, and now a location is being added in Dodge Center at Sunshine Foods. Because of COVID precautions, she said, volunteers have had to call individuals to ask them if they would ring bells but for the most part, when asked, people say yes.

With unemployment increasing as businesses, in particular restaurants, shut down or reduce hours more people are needing help, she said.

Families are asking for help with things such as utility payments as they now find they do not have the money to pay the bills.

The most recent round of restaurant closures has been especially devastating, Wendland said.

She recalled the woman who called saying she was embarrassed to be asking for help. She had been unemployed earlier this year when restaurants closed but had gone back to work when they reopened. Her husband had been injured and was working reduced hours but the family suffered a further setback when restaurants were closed to in-person dining a second time.

Like many working in bars and restaurants, these workers were only given about a day’s notice of the shutdown.

It was a similar situation for another woman who asked for help because she had been laid off from her job, her husband was disabled and she was worried
the water would be shut off because of a late payment.

Some of these people, Wendland said, have problems getting unemployment now because they also collected it in March.

Salvation Army volunteers have also received calls from people needing furniture.

One county woman had put her things in storage while she went out-of-state to help her mother. When she returned she found her furniture in storage had been water damaged.

Or the older gentleman who lived in senior assisted living and had back surgery. Because he had no bed he had been sleeping in a recliner.

There was the grade school girl who had written in her journal that she wished she had a bed of her own be- because she shared a bed with two siblings.

In all cases, Wendland said, the Dodge County Salvation Army was able to help these people with beds and other furniture from the Salvation Army Thrift Store in Owatonna.

In many cases, she said, people come to the Salvation Army because they just do not know where to go for help.

“Lots of people just don’t know what’s available,” Wendland said.

When someone calls the Salvation Army, she said, they ask if they have applied for help through the county or Semcac. There are various grants available to help, Wendland said, and they help direct people to those organizations first. Semcac and MnPrairie also send people to the Salvation Army if they do not have available help.

By directing people to these other agencies first, Wendland said, the Salvation Army is able to better help those who “fall through the cracks.”

“These people are just surviving,” Wend- land said. Little things happen in people’s lives and they are unable to meet their needs.

Dodge County Salvation Army volunteers, she said, are helping to keep people from being homeless, having their utilities shut off, unable to get to work because their vehicle needs repairs or going without furniture.

While the red kettles and bell ringers seen in stores during the Christmas season are the most visible signs of the Salvation Army, Wend- land said, the group also accepts donations from individuals, organizations and businesses throughout the year.

Anyone who would like to know more about the help the Salvation Army can provide, volunteer for a shift at bell ringing or make a donation should call Wendland at 507-421- 9469.