Williamsport Salvation Army assistance programs.
Programs can help solve a short term crisis while Salvation Army case workers will also put clients on the path of economic self-sufficiency and family stability. The Williamsport Pennsylvania Salvation Army centers offer these services and much more to the unemployed and lower income.
Emergency needs can be met. One of the most common requests is for food and the Salvation Army will do its best to ensure that no family that is local to Lycoming County will go hungry during their time of need. Many meals are provided to children and senior citizens in the region, including some home delivered meals. The services are also offered year round and volunteers and staff have a mission to make sure no one in the community will be in need. If you or your family is running short on food or groceries then call 570-326-9187 to learn about what may be available.
Additional financial aid may be provided too. For example, there are times when the crisis may involve the need for help paying bills or rent. Many people struggle with their electric or natural gas bills, especially during the cold winter or hot summer months. Others face eviction. So as funding allows, money for paying these expenses may be available. As with any agency, the Salvation Army resources are very limited. So they will do their best or a case manager may offer referrals to their huge network of other non-profit organizations or government resources. These groups all have the same goal of meeting the basic needs of the family or individual. Appointments will be necessary so you will want to call in advance.
The Angel Tree Program is always available as well. It provides free clothing, toys and other goods for children from low income families. It is generally offered for children who are 12 years of age or younger. In past years over 1000 children from Lycoming County received some form of assistance from the Angel Tree and/or Adopt a Family program.
How it works is that someone from the community will take a tag off of the Angel Christmas Tree. The person who does this will then need to buy the gifts that are described as they will be the wishes of the child. Caring people from across Lycoming County donate the presents to the Salvation Army who will then provide the goods to the children.
Another option is the Toys for Tots program. This particular resource may have toys and gifts that can help accommodate the needs of children whose names are not picked through the Angel Tree Program.
Meals and food may be distributed in Williamsport from Christmas Baskets. The Salvation Army, working with local pantries, provides low income and needy families free holiday food baskets. They can contain a complete meal for Thanksgiving and Christmas. The goal is to provide the family with enough food to get through the holiday season and the programs operate with donations from the community as well.
Disaster assistance programs are offered for issues such as fire, tornado, hurricane, flood, building collapse, Water Main Break and natural gas leaks. So the Salvation Army employs specialized Emergency Disaster Teams across Pennsylvania.
A food pantry is available a few times per week. There is an application process which will include income verification paperwork, proof of household members, social security numbers, and more info on household members.
Build savings and repair credit from Assets For Independence. This is sponsored in part by the Salvation Army and it is an anti-poverty strategy that helps working poor and low-income people move towards greater self-sufficiency. It will help them accumulate savings and assist them with the purchasing of long-term assets such as home, college education or even a business. Any money you save will be matched by the AFI program.
Workshops and classes are held in Lycoming County as part of this service. The sessions can help individuals reduce their debts, improve their credit scores and in general increase their knowledge of finances. It will also be combined with the Individual Development Account (IDA) savings.
Project Break Through will attempt to enhance and improve self-sufficiency and the overall stability of the client. It will help with the establishment of life changing goals, provide people with a mentor, and offer workshops and classes that can help individuals meet their goals, including job skills, financial planning, parenting and more.
Salvation Army centers in Lycoming County
457 N Market St., Williamsport, PA, call (570) 326-9187
111 E Main St., Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, telephone (570) 748-8854
A third location is at 25 W 4th St, Williamsport, (570) 327-3035
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