HARRISBURG, Pa., May 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- On Tuesday, May 22, Salvation Army officers and staff from from Aliquippa to York will convene at the state capitol in Harrisburg to share with legislators the work The Salvation Army is doing to better the lives of thousands of Pennsylvanians every day. Hundreds of Salvation Army representatives will participate in morning breakout sessions with their local representatives. During these meetings, representatives will discuss the need in their respective area and describe the important services they provide to citizens such as food assistance, social services, senior citizen and youth community programming, emergency disaster services, and much more. During the last year alone, The Salvation Army provided more than 1.2 million meals to Pennsylvanians in need, and served more than 800,000 community members through its Corps centers.
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Following the meetings, a special program will be held in the rotunda featuring testimonials from individuals assisted by The Salvation Army and remarks from Salvation Army leaders. Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett is also expected to make a presentation and Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor Jim Cawley along with numerous state officials have been invited to attend.
"We are honored to visit Harrisburg and meet with the leaders of our Commonwealth. It's imperative that we work hand-in-hand with our government officials as we continue our journey to help those in need," says Lt-Colonel Donald W. Lance, divisional commander for The Salvation Army Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware Division. "A response we hear over and over when talking about the work we do at The Salvation Army is 'I had no idea.' It's important that our lawmakers know about the services we provide - that is the goal of our visit - to educate, inform, and build relationships so we can continue to work together to positively impact our community."
Similar to the rest of the country, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has struggled with steadily increasing need over the past few years during the down economy. In its 2012 Growing Up in a Downturn study on Salvation Army Youth Services across the country, The Salvation Army notes that 25 percent of Salvation Army centers saw a 50 percent or more increase in demand for food in 2011. Through this challenge, The Salvation Army provided assistance to 30.2 million Americans in 2010, up from 28.9 million in 2007.
For live updates from The Salvation Army "Day on the Hill" follow along on twitter using the hashtag: #SAdayHBG
About The Salvation Army:
The Salvation Army is a faith-based, comprehensive human service organization whose programs help individuals, families and whole communities lead healthier, safer and more productive lives. The Salvation Army is equipped to respond to both acute disasters such as fires and floods as well as the daily, ongoing struggles of the Commonwealth's less fortunate individuals and families. Since 1879, The Salvation Army has a record of success stemming from its holistic approach to providing for the needs of the whole individual – physically, emotionally, economically and spiritually. The Salvation Army serves residents within every Pennsylvania zip code, offering shelter, hot meals, counseling, early childhood development, recreational opportunities, music programs, after-school arts and educational programs, job training, activities for older adults, spiritual development, and drug rehabilitation. For more information, please visit www.SalvationArmyPendel.org.
SOURCE The Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia
