Fire Destroys Entire Contents of Salvation Army Worship and Service Center in Meadville PA, Including Toys and Food For Close To 200 Needy Families for Christmas

MEADVILLE, Pa., Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- After an overnight fire started by a faulty refrigerator in the kitchenette area of The Meadville Salvation Army, located 1087 Park Avenue in Meadville, Crawford County, PA, the pastors there, Captains Jim and Lori Brown, are praying that they can rely on the generosity of others to replace the items needed for Christmas assistance for the needy in the community.  Although the fire was contained to a small area of the building, toys and food for close to 200 families for Christmas are destroyed as a result of the smoke and soot caused by the fire. 

In addition to the loss of the items, the building is currently uninhabitable.  The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services Department is setting up a trailer and heat tent on the property of the facility in the parking lot where donations of toys can be dropped off from 8 am to 5 pm starting tomorrow.  Starting next week, thanks to ChipBLASTER, The Salvation Army will have a place to sort and distribute toys. ChipBLASTER, located at 13605 South Mosiertown Road is donating the space for the organization's temporary use. It is unknown at this time when operations can resume at The Salvation Army Meadville facility. 

Food donations for the holidays will need to be done via gift cards and vouchers, as collecting and sorting toys will not allow enough time for actual food collection, sorting and distribution.  Monetary donations are being sought to help with the purchase of gift cards and vouchers for holiday food assistance to the needy.  Monetary donations are also being accepted by staff at the trailer on site, or can be made securely with a credit card at:  salvationarmywpa.org/meadvillefire.  The Christmas Red Kettle Campaign in Meadville is also ongoing, and is currently only at 37% of goal and running slightly behind last year's totals as of last week.  The public is asked to be as generous as possible in helping their neighbors in need through the Kettle Campaign as well.    

Celebrating over 150 years of global service as both a church and a social service organization, The Salvation Army began in London, England in 1865.  Today, it provides critical services in 129 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 on to www.wpa.salvationarmy.org  The Salvation Army … doing the most good for the most people in the most need. 

SOURCE The Salvation Army Western PA Division

Related Links

http://www.wpa.salvationarmy.org