Salvation Army: more than just red kettles

Justin Tracy, ministry discovery intern at The Salvation Army corps in Cape Girardeau, was probably like most of us when it came to his knowledge of the organization he now works with.

"The only thing I knew about was the kettles," he told the Southeast Missourian, referring to the Red Kettle Campaign held annually around Christmas.

Those red kettles go hand in hand with the Salvation Army. The critical, and well-known, campaign raises funds for several programs, many of which go without much recognition by people who don't utilize them.

Tracy now knows the importance of those kettles as he works alongside Capt. Ronnie Amick, corps officer for the Salvation Army in Cape Girardeau, and his wife Capt. Bridgette Amick, whom he runs the center with.

"Our social services programs help a lot of families," Ronnie Amick said. "Our impact stretches further than just the Christmas season. That's when we're out in the community and most visible, but the other 10 and a half months out of the year, we're just as much on the front lines as anyone else you can imagine."

Programs include a youth program, a food pantry that serves between 250-300 families a month, Meals with Friends that feeds more than 500 people a week, a thrift store and support for victims of natural disasters or other emergencies.

This year's Red Kettle Campaign didn't hit the target, with only about $250,000 of the $300,000 goal being raised, so some programs had to be evaluated budget-wise, but number-crunching was done without eliminating programs.

The Cape Girardeau area is fortunate to have its chapter of the Salvation Army to assist those who need help.

You can learn more about the Salvation Army and its many beneficial programs at www.semissourian.com/story/2389313.html.