Salvation Army campaigning for $1M to save programs that are now at risk because of depleted emergency reserves

Salvation Army turning to community for support with Hope in Action campaign

Corey Cooper, the lead cook at The Salvation Army, was experiencing homelessness when the organization stepped in to help him.l (WJXT)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – For years, The Salvation Army has been a lifeline in Jacksonville, serving hundreds of people facing hard times.

Now, the organization needs help itself and is turning to the community for support.

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The Salvation Army is trying to raise $1 million to keep providing services. If it doesn’t reach its goal, services could be cut, like the one that helped Corey Cooper escape homelessness.

Cooper, now the lead cook at The Salvation Army, moves with precision and passion in the kitchen.

“I don’t never work. I do what I love, so it’s not ever work. I love cooking. I love feeding people. I love communicating with people. I love the ambiance and the environment,” Cooper said.

But life wasn’t always this way for Cooper. Before living and working at The Salvation Army, Cooper was experiencing homelessness.

He said his life has changed dramatically because of The Salvation Army.

“It’s been a blessing, truly a blessing,” Cooper said.

But the program that helped Cooper rebuild his life could be at risk.

Area Commander Maj. Keath Biggers says donations have dropped, and The Salvation Army locally has burned through its emergency reserves.

“We’ve hit on some hard times financially. The last couple of years, we’ve had to eat into our emergency reserves that we fortunately had stored up,” Biggers said.

The food services program—which provides two free meals a day to anyone in need, no questions asked—could be on the chopping block.

So, they’re asking the community to step up and lend a helping hand.

“Our board made the decision to launch a Hope and Action campaign to hopefully raise $1 million to help us through this calendar year to make sure that no one that comes to our doors are told, ‘Sorry, we are no longer providing that service,’” Biggers explained.

The Salvation Army is accepting monetary donations.

You can give by calling 904-356-8641, visiting 900 W. Adams St. in person or going to give.salvationarmyflorida.org.


About the Authors
Brianna Andrews headshot

This native of the Big Apple joined the News4Jax team in July 2021.

Will Sandidge headshot

Will Sandidge has been with WJXT since April of 2024. Will has worked in many different areas around the country as an Emmy Award-winning photojournalist.

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