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SALISBURY — As the cost of living continues to rise, The Salvation Army of Rowan County is seeing an increasing demand for social services. Donations received during Christmas are essential for The Salvation Army to support families and individuals through its social services programs of rent, utility and food assistance, youth programs, Christmas assistance and emergency disaster services. The Christmas fundraising goal for The Salvation Army this year is $36,000 plus. To achieve this goal, The Salvation Army is seeking the community’s support to raise the remaining $36,000 to ensure that vital social services can continue to be provided.

“Families are facing higher expenses for rent, food and utilities, and are coming to us for support,” said Captain Teresa Bush of The Salvation Army of Rowan. “The community’s financial support is essential so we can help. Simply put, our capacity to help depends on the generosity of our community.”

For people living on the brink of poverty, the picture is bleak. According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, food prices rose 11.2 percent in 2022 and another 2.9 percent in 2023. Low-income families are impacted the most by rising food costs, spending almost 30 percent of household income on food. From September 2022 to September 2023, shelter prices increased by 7.2 percent, driven by a lack of affordable housing and rising development costs. 

But there is hope. Through the community’s support last year, The Salvation Army helped more than 6,000 people through social service programs tailored to the immediate and long-term needs of individuals and families. The people who come to The Salvation Army for assistance are served according to their needs and our capacity to help.

“Christmas is a time of joy, but it can be a season of worry for people living in poverty,” Bush said. “We ask for your support so we can provide vital services for families and individuals in our community. Please consider The Salvation Army for your holiday donations. Your gift will stay in our community, helping people in the most need.”