Waging War on Homelessness: The Salvation Army and Pittsburgh's 100.7 Star Join Forces for "Man In A Box" Event

CARNEGIE, Pa., Feb. 17, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- It can be easy to forget that homelessness is a daily reality for many people.  As we are preparing for our own family dinners, many others are choosing between buying food and shivering in the cold.  Too often, when we see a homeless person on the streets, we want to look the other way.  The unfortunate truth is that there are many more families with no housing, who remain unseen.

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To shine a light on the dark reality of homelessness, The Salvation Army, in conjunction with popular Pittsburgh radio station 100.7 Star have launched an innovative campaign called "Man in a Box."  The station's evening drive-time host, Flick, will live outside in downtown Pittsburgh at Highwoods Properties' PPG Place from Feb. 25-27, experiencing the hardships of living homeless first hand.  He will have minimal shelter and heat, and only the same food provided to the homeless by The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services program.

"Man in a Box" will provide awareness and support The Salvation Army's Red Shield Campaign, benefitting their Emergency Disaster Services program, Family Caring Center and Comprehensive Social Services, all of which play a role in assisting the homeless.  Funds will be raised through corporate donations, on-site kettle collections, and encouraging the public to donate online through starpittsburgh.com, salvationarmy-wpa.org, or via Text to Give by texting:  GIVEPGH to 80888. Texters will receive a confirmation text message in reply.

"The issue of homelessness is serious and deserves our attention and compassion," said Flick, host of the "Flick and Kelly" program broadcast weekdays from 2:00-7:00PM on 100.7 Star.  "My hope is that through my living and broadcasting on the street, the public will become better aware and support the efforts of The Salvation Army."

Local area businesses also supporting "Man in a Box" include, GetGo, Field and Stream, Mister Water Heater, Moe's Southwest Grill, United HealthCare, Lighthouse Electric, and Downtown Interiors.  Please contact Donna Fencik at The Salvation Army at 412.446.1644 for more information or to get involved.

The Salvation Army is dedicated to caring for the poor, feeding the hungry and educating youth.  Every day, The Salvation Army attends to the needs of homeless families and their children, helping break the cycle of poverty.  They respond to disasters, shelter the homeless, reunite families, and renew health to addicts.  Wholistic service is the goal, meeting physical, social, psychological, emotional and spiritual needs of families and individuals.  The Salvation Army provides innovative, affirmed and successful programs and services to bring hope, strength and success to people throughout Western Pennsylvania.

Both a church and a social service organization, The Salvation Army began in London, England in 1865.  Today, it provides critical services in 126 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, twitter.com/SalArmyPGH or facebook.com/SalvationArmyWesternPA.  The Salvation Army … Doing the most good . . . for the most people . . . in the most need.

SOURCE Salvation Army Western Pennsylvania Division