Latest news with #TheSalvationArmy
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Westlake Ace Hardware collecting donations for Fan Drive
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — An annual fan drive created to provide relief in the summer heat to those in need is entering the final stretch. Westlake Ace Hardware partnered with The Salvation Army to encourage patrons to donate in store or online. It gets hotter in the summer, and as we know, it gets that way here in Missouri," General Manager Mark Sidwell said. "Ace is always looking for ways to help the community around them." All donations made by rounding up a purchase at checkout or donating through the website will be used to purchase fans. The Fan Drive runs through June 7. "With the rising prices of everything, some families just aren't able to afford air conditioning or even fans," Salvation Army Social Services Director Emily Bravo said. "And so our hope is that we can get a couple of fans in everyone's homes so that they can stay cool and safe." Sidwell said his employees are always eager to participate in the Fan Drive and other community initiatives like Children's Miracle Network. "They get behind it, and they ask every customer, and we've been having a good response this year so far," he said. About 110 families received fans last year, and Bravo said she would like to see the number increase to 150. A start date for the fan distribution is not available yet, but it will be announced on the St. Joseph Salvation Army Facebook page. Residents will need proof of residency and identification to pick up a fan. "We're hoping, in the month of June, that can kind of be our focus (for) fan distribution, Bravo said. Anyone interested in donating to the Fan Drive can visit
Axios
3 days ago
- Health
- Axios
How San Francisco is changing its response to drug addiction
San Francisco is changing its approach to addressing drug addiction with a new policy emphasizing treatment. Why it matters: The city has for years been grappling with a deadly drug epidemic fueled largely by fentanyl. Driving the news: Last week, Mayor Daniel Lurie signed District 6 Supervisor Matt Dorsey's " Recovery First" ordinance to guide the city's response to addressing substance abuse with an emphasis on long-term remission and drug-free living as its primary goals. The big picture: With this new approach, San Francisco will be prioritizing programs that help people find treatment and stay sober in the long run, instead of short-term solutions that "do the very least" for helping drug users, according to Dorsey. What they're saying:"If there are people who are choosing to use drugs and who are resistant to getting in recovery, we should at least make their drug use safer. But the reality is that is literally the least we can do — we should be doing more," Dorsey, a recovering addict, told Axios. "Having a statement of policy that is a clear, self-directed and healthy life, free from illicit drug use is what we're aspiring to through the process of recovery." Catch up quick: The largely symbolic piece of legislation builds on Lurie's efforts to combat the city's converging homelessness and addiction crises that he's been addressing with initiatives like a new $37.5 million fund for mental health and housing services, an emergency fentanyl ordinance and addition of 279 new treatment beds. Between the lines: The new policy also comes amid the mayor's campaign to roll back some harm reduction programs, a practice that has helped save lives and prevent overdoses but faces criticism for enabling addiction. "Our goal is not only to keep people alive, but to ensure people have access to drug treatment where they can overcome addiction and get their lives back," said Steve Adami, executive director of the Way Out, a recovery-focused homelessness initiative of The Salvation Army. The other side: Jennifer Friedenbach, executive director at the Coalition on Homelessness, said a lack of stable housing has been a big contributor to people falling back into addiction. While harm reduction has also been a crucial tool, the demand for resources has been too high to see visible results. "Why are people seeing so much visible drug use?," she said. "It's not that the system failed, from a perspective of the programs not working. It's failed because there's not enough capacity in the system in these programs to treat everybody who needs it." The bottom line: While Dorsey said he is not against harm reduction due to the non-linear nature of recovery, he hopes this new approach will better demonstrate the city's commitment to getting people help and off the streets.
Perth Now
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Dazzling display for Perth's highly-anticipated Oasis Ball
Shanae Cooper & Izi Bird at the Oasis Ball. Picture: Alan Chau / The West Australian From the moment more than 700 guests from the media, marketing and communications industry walked into a Times Square themed entry, they knew they were in for an unforgettable evening. A dazzling Broadway theme transformed the Crown Towers Ballroom for one of Perth's most anticipated social events, the Oasis Ball, an evening full of entertainment, awards and music — ending in 'Studio 54'. Across the night $170,000 was raised for Oasis House, an initiative of The Salvation Army supporting at-risk youth across WA.
7NEWS
22-05-2025
- General
- 7NEWS
Adelaide mother-of-four admits to stealing food amid cost-of-living crisis
A mother-of-four has made the shocking admission she regularly shoplifts to feed her children amid the cost-of-living crisis. Nakiah* said she feels guilty but blames rising food prices for leaving her with little choice to ensure her children do not go hungry. 'No parent wants to hear your kid say 'I'm still hungry' after dinner,' Nakiah told 7NEWS. 'I feel guilt but at the same time I don't because it's for my children — I'll do anything for my children.' The single mother, from Adelaide's northern suburbs, is not alone, with Salvation Army data released ahead of the charity's annual Red Shield Appeal showing the cost-of living crisis is having widespread impact. The Red Shield Report 2025 — which surveyed 3586 vulnerable Australians who had received food, financial aid or material aid from The Salvation Army — found almost a quarter (24 per cent) had eaten food past its expiry date to save money. It also found one in 20 Australians have taken and eaten food from bins outside supermarkets and restaurants, while a majority of people are skipping meals. Nakiah said the rising costs of housing and essential services and other basic living expenses meant there was often not enough money left to adequately feed her family. She admits to shoplifting at least once a fortnight so her children don't go to bed hungry, saying it is her last resort — and it frightens her. 'You walk through (the shops) just watching and knowing I'm about to do something like that — it's so scary,' she told 7NEWS. 'So many people are just brought to guilt and shame to do the wrong thing when they don't want to. 'We can't do this any more, we can't keep living like this.' Salvation Army spokesperson Robyn Lorimer said many people across Australia were cutting corners to make ends meet. 'We're finding people would prefer to sit in the dark than put their lights on,' she said. 'For some, they're even having to go to a public toilet or shopping centre just to shower because they can't justify the water costs.' The Salvation Army is aiming to raise $2 million in its annual Red Shield appeal this weekend, to support those people doing it tough — and to intervene before more of them resort to crime.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Fan Drive kicks off at Kansas hardware stores
TOPEKA (KSNT) – The Salvation Army is teaming up with local hardware stores in Kansas to hold this year's Fan Drive to help people beat the heat this summer. Westlake Ace Hardware and The Salvation Army are holding their annual Fan Drive campaign from May 19 to June 7. The goal is to provide new box fans to locals to help them cool off during the hot summer months. People wanting to support this effort are encouraged to round up on purchases at any Westlake Ace Hardware store. Cash will then be put towards the purchase of fans for distribution by local Salvation Army commands. 'From the beginning, the Fan Drive has made a tangible difference in the lives of people across the country,' said Joe Jeffries, president and CEO of Ace Retail Holdings (parent company of Westlake Ace Hardware). 'Our customers' generosity continues to inspire us, and we're proud to help provide relief to those who need it most. Giving back is part of who we are.' Topeka Steak 'n Shake demolished to make way for new restaurant Westlake Ace Hardware collected more than $2,400 in donations in 2024, resulting in 140 box fans being given to locals who needed them. The annual Fan Drive takes place at dozens of Westlake Ace-owned locations across the nation each year, resulting in the distribution of more than 65,000 fans since the drive got started. 'Something as simple as a fan can mean everything to someone facing extreme summer heat,' said Commissioner Merle Heatwole, national commander of The Salvation Army. 'Thanks to our partnership with Westlake Ace Hardware, we're able to provide immediate, tangible help to neighbors in need.' People living in the Topeka area can head to one of three different Westlake Ace Hardware stores to make donations for the Fan Drive. You can find stores at the following addresses in Topeka: 2054 Northwest Topeka Boulevard. 2075 Southeast 29th Street. 5001 Southwest 29th Street. You can learn more about the annual Fan Drive by clicking here. To find a Westlake Ace Hardware store near you, click here. Trash pickup schedule shifts in Topeka for Memorial Day week For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
