PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — The coronavirus pandemic continues to take a financial toll on families throughout Palm Beach County. As a result, The Salvation Army is stepping up to provide relief for many who are in need with the help of a grant from the Community Foundation.
The need for help has grown exponentially and Major Leisa Hall with the Salvation Army has witnessed it first hand.
“We’ve been getting more and more calls for people needing food and utility assistance because as you know so many people are out of work,” said Hall.
In an effort to meet the need, the local nonprofit applied and received a generous grant from the Community Foundation. Since then they’ve been able to help hundreds of families.
“Our main monthly distribution has continued to be monthly, but we have seen a large increase in the people who come but we’ve added to that the food deliveries. It’s where we actually go to somebody’s hotel room or go to their neighborhood and we take food to them, that’s something new that we haven’t been doing before,” said Hall.
What’s also new is the opportunity to provide rental and utility assistance for families in need.
“I’m not working as much as I used to so it’s very hard on single parents most of all,” said Monique Hines. Hines is a single mother of three. Her hours were cut from her job causing a financial burden. Homeschooling her kids has also been tough. Despite the setback she said grateful for the help she’s received.
“I really want to thank them from the bottom of my heart. If it wasn’t for them, I didn’t know how I was going to pay my rent for this month,” said Hines.
It’s that kind of help the Salvation Army hopes to continue throughout this pandemic.
“We are so grateful to the Community Foundation. We’re grateful, A, that they put out these applications right away, and we are grateful that they chose the Salvation Army as one of those recipients, said Hall.
If you’re in need of rental assistance or groceries from the Salvation Army click here.
If you would like to make a donation or apply for a grant from the Community Foundation click here.