A Giving Opportunity for Businesses Large and Small; The Salvation Army Launches New Face of Need Workplace Giving Campaign

CARNEGIE, Pa., March 19, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As the financial downturn drags on, The Salvation Army of Allegheny County has struggled to continue to meet the needs of its area residents.  In fiscal 2010, more than 3,155 additional individuals in crisis have turned to the organization desperately in need of a host of support services.  Many of these families never dreamed that they would be on the other side of the red kettle.  

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"Over the past few years, this economy has had a devastating emotional and financial effect on thousands of people in Allegheny County," said Major William H. Bode, The Salvation Army's Western Pennsylvania Divisional Commander. "In the past year, we have been hit with 35% increases in orders for both food and clothing. And, the demand for other services continues to climb. The Salvation Army's 'Red Shield Campaign' and its 'New Face of Need' workplace giving arm are critical to keeping these families afloat."

These human service campaigns provide financial support to three vital Salvation Army programs:  the Family Caring Center, Comprehensive Social Services, and Emergency Disaster Services.  The new initiative, the New Face of Need Workplace Giving Campaign allows employees to support The Salvation Army of Allegheny County and in turn encourages their employers to match their generosity.  "We want to make workplace giving as easy and painless as possible," said Fran Brace, The Salvation Army's Western Pennsylvania Divisional Director of Development. Brace added, "Employees appreciate that 100% of their contribution goes directly to meeting physical, emotional, social, psychological and spiritual needs of local families and individuals on a case-by-case basis."

As an added bonus for those individuals or companies who take the Kettle Challenge by donating to the Red Shield Campaign at a minimum level of $6,000, an invitation will be extended to be guests of the organization with a foursome at the The Salvation Army's Annual Kettle Challenge Invitational Golf Outing at St. Clair Country Club on June 18th. The cost of this event is generously underwritten by a friend of the Army.  Members of The Salvation Army's Greater Pittsburgh Advisory Board are ramping up their efforts to ensure that both the campaigns and this event are successful.

To support The Allegheny County Salvation Army Red Shield Campaign, individual donors may give by check or credit card.  Checks should be made payable to The Salvation Army Red Shield Campaign and sent to The Salvation Army, Red Shield Campaign, PO Box 742, 700 North Bell Avenue, Carnegie, PA  15106.  All donations will remain in Allegheny County.  For credit card contributions  or more information on the New Face of Need Workplace Giving Campaign, call Salvation Army Divisional Director of Fundraising, Donna Fencik at 412-446-1644 or log onto salvationarmy-wpa.org/redshield. 

Both a church and a social service organization, The Salvation Army began in London, England in 1865.  Today, it provides critical services in 124 countries worldwide.  The 28-county Western Pennsylvania Division serves thousands of needy families through a wide variety of support services.  To learn more about The Salvation Army in Western Pennsylvania, log onto www.salvationarmy-wpa.org.  The Salvation Army … doing the most good for the most people in the most need.

SOURCE Salvation Army Western Pennsylvania Division