- The US-based Salvation Army is serving
in more than 130 countries
and working to help thosein need all over the world.
George spoke with the National Commander
of the Salvation Army,David Hudson for more.
- How has this impacted your ministry
and how are you guys responding?
- Well, it's interesting.
First of all, you mentioned globally.
Whenever the SalvationArmy deals with a disaster,
it tends to be within one geographic area.
So what that means is,something happens in one place,
the first absolute firstresponders are the ones
that live there, but we'reable to send relief in,
and able to send people in torelieve them of their duties
and give them a break.
Well, this is global.
There is no relief.
Everybody is doing this.
So the Salvation Army isrepurposing their programs
around the country, but thepeople are still continuing,
the ones that were lastmonth they're still doing it.
So, in India, where we have hospitals,
they are now being turned over to be used
by the government tohelp treat the pandemic.
It was interesting in France.
I just heard that they'redoing a drive to allow people
that have mobile devicesthat may be homeless
or maybe do not have the ability
to utilize other people's electricity
so they can charge their phones.
In South Africa whereit has the largest break
in the African continent,the Salvation Army
it's increased dramaticallyits food distribution.
So, what we're doing hereis just kind of multiplied
around the entire globe.
- Wow, real quickly, sohow can folks help you guys
at this time?
- Well, I'd like to advisepeople to visit our website,
salvationarmyusa.org, thelanding page is on COVID-19.
So, the first thing is financialsupport is the best thing
because we're able to repurposethose dollars immediately,
invest those in the community.
So if somebody donates on this website,
it goes to where they live,and those that dollars
is able to go for shelter or food
or whatever is the greatest need.
The other thing the Salvation Army needs
is non-perishable food.
And so if they could contacttheir local Salvation Army,
and they can find out whatthe Salvation Army is doing,
if they visit our website,
then they could give donations of food.
The Salvation Army isin a unique situation
where we're not in between type agency,
so that means if you give it to some,
like a food bank sometimes, you know,
they give the food out,
but they have to thentransport it to other places.
Salvation Army receives anddistributes at the same places.
So, what I say is you giveus a can of green beans
in the morning, that can of green beans
is in somebody's pantry that afternoon.
- [George] Yeah.
- And the other thing for your audience,
if you could just pray for our people.
Pray that they will be faithfulin portraying the mission.
The mission of SalvationArmy is to preach the gospel
of Jesus Christ and tomeet human need in His name
without discrimination, thatour people would be safe,
and that the people thatwe serve will be safe.
- Yeah, it's an incredible mission
that the one which you havebeen carrying out faithfully
since 1865, 155 years ago.
Thank you so much sir forall that you are doing.
Commissioner David Hudsonof the Salvation Army,
thanks so much for comingon the show, appreciate it.
