The Salvation Army Provides Emergency Relief In Petaluma, SoCo

PETALUMA, CA — With residents of all nine Bay Area counties now under mandatory shelter-at-home health orders to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, The Salvation Army Del Oro Division has activated its Emergency Disaster Response. In Petaluma and Sonoma County, the nonprofit is providing food, and as many other resources government guidelines permit, to those in need.

"Our mission remains unchanged in these fast-developing times: to meet human needs in the name of God without discrimination," said Samantha Jarosz, spokeswoman for The Salvation Army Del Oro Division in Northern California and Nevada.

"In following that mission, all Salvation Army officers are now reassigned to Emergency Disaster Services so that we may respond where and when we are needed," Jarosz said.

The Salvation Army is still operating all of its residential homeless and homeless prevention-type programs; shelters, transitional living and adult rehabilitation programs.

"In all of our programs and services, we are following the recommendations set forth by the CDC, HUD and local health and government officials to keep our facilities, employees and those we serve safe," Jarosz said. "The Salvation Army feels it is imperative that we continue serving in any way we can. Millions of people depend on us across the country, and that need is expected to grow as this emergency continues."

In Petaluma, The Salvation Army Petaluma Corps, 721 S. McDowell Blvd., is providing food for families in need. Distribution takes place from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. every Tuesday, and from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays.

The Salvation Army's Santa Rosa Corps, 93 Stony Circle in Santa Rosa, is providing curbside pickup food boxes to Sonoma County residents in need from 10 a.m. to noon Monday-Thursday every week.

The Santa Rosa Corps is also delivering prepared meals to Sonoma County clients of IHSS — low-income individuals who are blind, disabled or 65 years or older who need assistance — and to other members of the community in need of assistance.

Additionally, The Salvation Army Santa Rosa Corps is delivering food boxes to low-income seniors at Silvercrest who cannot leave their rooms; and is offering emotional spiritual care to isolated seniors and individuals by phone.

In-person church services have been suspended at the Santa Rosa site as The Salvation Army transitions to livestream services.

The Santa Rosa Corps' Double Punches Boxing, tutoring and mentoring program is unfortunately postponed until further notice.

The Salvation Army runs on volunteer power, Jarosz said. Those who are interested and able to donate their time to help others during this trying time are encouraged to send an email to Volunteer Coordinator Hannah Hubner at Hannah.Hubner@usw.salvationarmy.org.

"Those who are unable to give their time can still help us meet the needs in their community by making a monetary donation," Jarosz said. "All of our community centers, facilities and programs need support to continue serving the most vulnerable populations. Donate online at Gosalarmy.org."

Corporations and foundations looking to get involved in The Salvation Army Del Oro Division's COVID-19 relief effort may send an email to Teri McClanahan by email at Teri.McClanahan@usw.salvationarmy.org.