Antone Holmes recently had to seek help from the Salvation Army with rent. He hasn’t found steady work and turned to the organization for assistance.

Holmes, who has four children, heard from a friend he could seek help from the organization.

“It means a lot. It means they (children) have a roof over their heads,” he said.

The Salvation Army provides crisis assistance for utillities, rent, food and medications but the agency is now expanding its outreach to the community.

“Most people come for assistance, but while they are here we have programs for them,” said Lt. Josh Morse, head of the Rowan County chapter.

The building doesn’t typically open until later, but the doors open on Mondays for Morning Manna Worship at 8:30 a.m. and during that time staff serve breakfast to those who show for help, Morse said.

The worship program began in November and averages about 20-25 participants.

Anyone can partake in the worship service or breakfast, he said.

In the past the office served pastries, coffee or hot cocoa, but have added the Monday hot breakfast.

The service is a way to connect the church with social service, said Melissa Cline, the Salvation Army Mission Specialist (SAMS).

Clines role is to going into an area of the community and determine if there is a need that has not been met. She helps create programs that will fill that void.

On Thursday and Sunday the building is open at 7:30 a.m. for people to enter for a hot shower, intertwines the organizations tradition of soup, soap and salvation.

Cline said it’s an opportunity to get out of the cold.

In the near future, the Salvation Army will implement a tutoring lab for any children in Rowan County after school until about 5 p.m. or 5:30 p.m.

A teen club will begin on New Year’s Eve from 7 p.m.-11 p.m.

Morse said it will give teens a place to go that is safe.

Recently the organization received a donation of toys that they’ve been able to give to people who’ve shown up at the Monday worship service.

Recently Cline led a group of people in a trivia session about biblical historical moments. The person who answered correctly was able to select a toy.

Holmes and his young son, although they were there for rent assistance, walked away with toys for the toddler.

Dwon Adkins is a bell ringer with the agency, but he and his wife, Shahannah, said they’ve had to use services offered at the organization.

“When we were really needing it, it means a lot because times do get hard,” Shahannah said.

The couple has two children.
“God blessed me with a job,” Dwon said.

He’s happy to be a bell ringer, he said.

“I’m helping a lot of children who are in need,” he said.

The bell ringers collect money for the Red Kettle campaign, which funds programs, especially at Christmas.

The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church.

For more informationabout the new and existing programs, contact the organization at 704-636-6491 or visit the facility at 620 Bringle Ferry Road, Salisbury.