Butler Salvation Army announces new "Feeding Families Campaign" to offset loss of United Way funding - Kick off meeting on September 25th

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Sep 23, 2014, 04:00 ET

BUTLER, Pa., Sept. 23, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Salvation Army Butler County Worship and Service Center had been a funding recipient of the Butler County United Way for more than 25 years. United Way funded critical support for both feeding and family self-sufficiency programs for thousands of local residents. Although the funding amount steadily declined throughout the years, it was still at a level to be considered a significant component of the soup kitchen budget, which feeds weekly approximately 750 hungry people at The Salvation Army on West Cunningham Street in Butler. For many local residents, lunchtime meals, Monday through Friday, are the only meals they receive during the week. In May of this year, The Salvation Army was informed by the Butler United Way that they would not be able to fulfill their second year commitment of a two-year funding request approved by the agency last year.

This situation leaves little choice for The Salvation Army except to go out on its own to raise the dollars necessary to ensure there is no interruption in the delivery of services. "We need to ensure that we can continue to serve the people who so desperately need our services, so we are launching the Feeding Families Campaign which includes an opportunity for local businesses to get involved. We have a program already in place which allows employees to give online or sign up for payroll deduction through their company," explained Captain Travis DeLong, Butler County Coordinator for The Salvation Army of Western Pennsylvania. The organization must act quickly and assertively to raise the money necessary to continue serving the thousands of needy families who so desperately need their support. The Salvation Army is launching their "Feeding Families Campaign" with a goal of $50,000 and an initial gift of $10,000 from Dick Yoder. "As a community, we need to do what we can to support The Salvation Army who is always there for those in need in our own back yards. That's why I'm proud to give the lead gift for the Feeding Families Campaign, and I urge everyone who can to join me in supporting this important effort," said Yoder. "I'm also encouraging and challenging the companies in Butler County to step-up and conduct a workplace giving program benefitting The Salvation Army."

Contributions may be made payable to The Salvation Army and mailed to The Salvation Army Butler, Feeding Families Campaign, 313 W. Cunningham Street, PO Box 389, Butler, PA 16003 or you may contribute on-line at www.wpa.salvationarmy.org. If you are interested in learning more about the workplace giving program, please contact Fran Brace at 412-446-1646. Effective immediately, The Salvation Army will no longer be affiliated with The United Way of Butler County, but United Way donors may still direct their contributions to The Salvation by designating the organization.

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.

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SOURCE The Salvation Army