JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A local non-profit organization known for helping people in need is now in need itself.
The Salvation Army of Northeast Florida is low on money so they’ve launched a campaign to raise a million dollars to keep supporting the community.
One of the people advocating for others to support the Salvation Army is Sheila J. Gordon.
Gordon has been living in one of the temporary living spaces the organization provides, since February 27, 2025.
She lives there because she fell on hard times, meaning she lost her job and was living in a place she described as unsafe.
“I was at a place with roaches and rats off of 25th street, Gordon said. So, I called and the lady told me I could come because I had resorted to sleeping in my car.”
Gordon said once she moved to the Salvation Army campus, things began turning around immediately.
Like sleeping in a safe space and being provided resources to help turn her life around.
“I felt good,” Gordon said. “I felt like I was in a family. We all got together and we hugged each other. A family. That’s what made me feel so good to be here, because they stepped up and helped us. And when you had nobody in your back to help you, they stepped up and helped you. You didn’t feel homeless.”
However, the help Gordon received and other programs the Salvation Army provides like feeding people experiencing homelessness, are in jeopardy because the organization needs money.
“Unfortunately, we ate into a reserve account last year, emergency reserve account that we had to draw it down to a zero balance,” Major Keath Biggers, the area commander for the Salvation Army said. “We determined if we did not raise the necessary funds we wouldn’t be able to get through the first quarter of the year.”
However, the organization did make it through the first quarter by raising money through their Hope in Action: A $1 Million Campaign for The Salvation Army of Northeast Florida.
So far the campaign has raised over $240,000, and to keep helping people this year they hope to reach their goal.
It’s why they’re asking the community to help.
“Please donate,” Gordon said. “If you can’t donate but 50 cents you can help a baby eat tonight. Help donate something. One day you might have a member fall on hard times and this is a place you’d want them to come to get help.”
Gordon said she is glad for the Salvation Army’s help. She referred to her time at the organization as a rest stop because it was somewhere for her to get her mind together.
And by next week she’ll be moving out thanks to the help of the Salvation Army and HUD.
