The Henderson Salvation Army’s new leader, Maj. Beth Mallard, is taking stock of the current programs offered to local residents and to those who live in all five of the counties served by the Ross Mill Road facility.
Mallard likes what she sees, and yet she sees more in her vision. It’s all about stewardship – taking care of what’s already here and putting plans in place to make the best use of available facilities.
Mallard comes to Henderson from Winston-Salem, and she said both locations have similarities that have proven helpful to her: Winston’s Salvation Army also serves five counties, so operating within a large geographical footprint is not a daunting task; it also has a large food distribution program. Mallard said the Henderson Salvation Army has already tripled its food volume since last year. There also was a vibrant senior adult program, which she also sees in the local Ageless Wonders program on Tuesdays for senior adults as well as for mentally challenged individuals.
Things are growing at the Salvation Army, she said, so she’s taken a bit of time to see what’s needed and planning for ways to adapt to the needs of the community.
When the Ross Mill Road facility was being designed, there was a vision to use the property for recreation, and Mallard said those plans are taking shape.
“One of the visions was to have these beautiful fields (become) soccer fields in the back of the building,” she said on Tuesday’s segment of TownTalk.
The money’s not there yet, but until it is, the fields have been mowed and some goals have been moved in, so the hope is that the Boys & Girls Club members can use them this fall.
Proper construction and field preparation can come later, but in the meantime, the field can be used.
Stewardship.
A Biblical definition of stewardship involves managing all resources that God provides for the betterment of His creation. Food is one of those resources, and Mallard said the food distribution program is one way to help those in the community provide for themselves and for their families.
“There’s been an uptick in people needing food,” Mallard said. So the Salvation Army stepped up its food distribution program, but it’s something to continue to work on and improve in the coming years.
Right now, Social Services Director Gina Eaves is the sole box packer, and Mallard said she’d welcome additional volunteers to come help fill boxes with canned foods, shelf-stable items and frozen meats.
If you need food, please stop by the Salvation Army location on Mondays, Wednesdays or Thursdays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. If you have ID, that’s fine, but if you don’t, you won’t be turned away.
Stewardship.
Mallard and her team also are managing the Salvation Army’s resources in what is sure to have a win-win outcome. This Saturday, Aug. 17, there will be a big sale at the site of the former family store located at 222 W. Montgomery St. “There’s a lot of good pieces down there,” she said.
From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., they’ll be making cash and carry deals to empty the former store of amazing finds, old and new.
“No offer will be refused to help clear the building out,” Mallard said. “I have plans.” Not only will it be used for warehouse space, but she wants to use it as a distribution site at Christmas.
Visit https://southernusa.salvationarmy.org/henderson-nc/ to learn more about the programs and services of Henderson’s Salvation Army, located at 2292 Ross Mill Rd.
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