News : Salvation Army of Benton County Serving Benton County Since 2016

If you would like to donate to the Salvation Army, use your phone to take a picture of this QR code

The Salvation Army of Benton County received $15,333.61 this past Christmas season from the Red Kettle Campaign. We are grateful for the willingness of folks to ring the bell! We know some days it was cold, and yet we often hear people say, "I enjoy doing this. It's actually fun!"

It is a soft estimate that we had 330 hours of bell ringing from approximately 100 volunteers. I believe a group from Farm Bureau displayed some delightful choreography along with their singing. Thank you, Carie and Susie! Santa came to ring also. Thank you, Greg!

It is such a blessing when some area churches fill a day(s) of ringing for us. Thank you to Bethlehem Lutheran, Blessed Hope, First Christian and Wesley United Methodist. We also appreciate organizations like Kiwanis, Knights of Columbus and Lion's Club for ringing a full day. ARC, North Star and REM also came out to volunteer as members of our community and did a great job! Many area businesses sent their employees to help ring the bell also.

A big shout out of thanks to Fareway Inc. and Manager Dave Kelchen for allowing us to his their storefront. The Fareway employees have always rang the bell on December 24th. That is a big help as that day is always hard to fill.

Ringing the bell has been the only way we generate income for our financial assistance program for individual needs that come to us, like rent and utility bills, etc.

We receive no funds from corporate or from our larger neighboring Salvation Army Corps, like Cedar Rapids or Waterloo. A Corp has their own building, emergency response vehicles, some salaried staff, as well as structured community outreaches, like homeless shelters, and weekly free meal programs, etc. This is all covered by donations from the community.

90% of the donations raised in Benton County stay here to help residents. 10% goes toward training Salvation Army volunteers and into helping with large disasters. When the derecho came through a few years ago, the help we received was in addition to the money that we raised locally.

Look for our local Salvation Army to utilize some new ways this coming year to raise funds for our assistance program. We know needs are greater than ever.

Things We Do....

In 2022 we assisted nearly 100 families in Benton County with

* rent, utility bills, medical bills, repairs, etc

* donated just under $2,000 to our 3 local school districts --calculators, zipper binders, clothing and gym shoes for students in need.

* continue to assist Cedar Rapids Corps with the distribution of sack lunches at area homeless shelters on Saturday mornings

After the 2019 derecho wind storm, we distributed sack lunches, free toiletries, snacks, water, cash assistance through WalMart cash cards, as well as offered spiritual and emotional care.

Giving Can Be Year-Round!

If you want to mail in your donation, send it to: Salvation Army, Benton County Service Extension, 1201 C. Ave, Vinton, IA 52349. (We are a 501c(3)).

Here's a hyperlink https://donate.salarmywestern.org/give/451439/#!/donation/checkout

(See photos for a QR Code to make a donation)

The Salvation Army service extension unit of Benton County is looking to add team members.!! Currently, we have 12 members. Call 319-329-7119 to know more.

Come help us share hope with our community. We can't erase all problems, but we can help bring hope to people during difficult times. Ask us how! Call 319-329-7119.

It takes community involvement to operate the Red Kettle Campaign. Benton County has always been generous. It reminds us of what Jesus said in Matthew 25: 40,

"When you have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, you have done it unto Me."