Gov. Quinn, Mayor Daley Proclaim March Salvation Army Month

Recognize 125 Years of Service to People in Need

CHICAGO, March 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Gov. Pat Quinn and Mayor Richard Daley recognized The Salvation Army Metropolitan Division for 125 years of service to people in need by proclaiming March Salvation Army Month in the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago respectively.  

From its humble founding on March 1, 1885, in Chicago, The Salvation Army has evolved into the largest direct provider of social services in the State of Illinois, assisting people in need in Greater Chicago, Northern Illinois and Northwestern Indiana. Today, there are 15 Corps Community Centers in Greater Chicago and another 13 stretching from Rockford, Illinois to Gary-Merrillville, Indiana providing essential programs and services to people needing assistance.

"Our Corps Community Centers are the centerpiece of our commitment to people in need, providing educational, recreation and training programs and functioning as safe havens and centers for community interaction, development, progress and worship," said David E. Grindle, division commander, Salvation Army Metropolitan Division.

Last year, the Army extended emergency assistance to 128,736 people, helping them to pay rent, mortgage, and utility bills. And mobile feeding, congregate and community food pantry programs provided more than 2.1 million nutritious meals to hungry people of all ages. Combining all shelter programs, each night over 1,100 people are accommodated under a Chicagoland Salvation Army roof.

The Salvation Army also has numerous programs for children, including before and after-school programs, character building programs, tutoring and training, such as helping children to acquire computer and internet literacy skills. The Army also is a prominent provider of Head Start programs that give pre-school children a strong foundation in learning, and is one of Chicago's largest providers of music instruction. Last year, The Salvation Army provided more than 2,600 music class sessions, with a total attendance of more than 28,000 students and young adults.

Other services provided by the Metropolitan Division include emergency lodging for families and individuals in crisis; disaster relief; senior housing; and substance abuse rehabilitation programs, to name a few. For more information about The Salvation Army, please visit www.salarmychicago.org.

SOURCE The Salvation Army, Metropolitan Division