Salvation Army

Since 1898, the Salvation Army in Cape Girardeau has been providing food, shelter, assistance and Christian leadership to countless people in local communities.

The Salvation Army is based at 701 Good Hope St. in Cape Girardeau, and maintains two thrift stores: one at 416 Morgan Oak St. in Cape Girardeau and one at 1969 E. Jackson Blvd St. in Jackson. The Cape Girardeau location is open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the Jackson store is open one hour later.

Led by Majors Benjamin and Beth Stillwell, the Salvation Army works to help those in need as well as supporting the original and continuing mission of the Salvation Army: "Preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and meeting human needs in His name."

The Salvation Army counts on volunteers to continue its message of hope and to provide services to the community. Volunteers help with everything from can food drives and serving meals to disaster assistance and youth activities. Those interested in volunteering should call (573) 335-7000.

"There are opportunities to volunteer that include, at least, can food drives, food assistance. ... We always need volunteer drivers for Thanksgiving distribution of meals," said Benjamin Stillwell. Volunteers can also help serve meals.

Empty Bowls project

"Our Meals with Friends program is the last full week of each month, January through October," said Benjamin Stillwell. This program provides people with dinner Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Benjamin Stillwell was touched by the selflessness of one person who comes to the Meals with Friends program last November. An elderly man brought in a jar full of pennies that he had been saving all year long, and donated this jar to the Salvation Army. The man said that due to the economy, he knew that the Salvation Army would need every penny it could get.

Benjamin Stillwell said this gift shows that every penny does count, and the donation was added to the kettles on Christmas Eve.

In addition to volunteering, people can help out with monetary donations. These donations can be mailed to the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 802, Cape Girardeau, MO 63702.

Cape Girardeau's Salvation Army has several seasonal programs to help those in need, including the Cans Film Festival held in December and the Tree of Lights campaign.

Coats for kids

The Salvation Army had over 250 bell ringers during the Christmas season in 2010 in various locations around Southeast Missouri.

In 2010, the Salvation Army distributed 399 Christmas baskets to 266 families, 42 men and 91 women. This assisted a total of 1,125 individuals. Through the Angel Tree program, the Salvation Army gave away 450 toys, and on Thanksgiving, 1,407 meals were served and delivered.

In 2011, The Salvation Army will have a study done to see the feasibility to expand the Good Hope street location. Its main focus is to maintain and increase its current level of service to the community.