Hutchinson Salvation Army Prepares Holiday Programs to Serve Reno County Families
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Salvation Army in Hutchinson is gearing up for its busiest season as fall and winter programs launch to serve families across Reno County facing financial hardship during the holiday season.
Located at 700 N. Walnut St., the local corps is preparing for the annual Red Kettle campaign and Angel Tree program, two signature initiatives that help sustain the organization's year-round services.
The Salvation Army provides immediate emergency services which include food, clothing, shelter, medications, energy assistance, funeral assistance, furniture, and counseling, according to program information. The organization also provides weekly character building youth activities and a Monday through Friday After School Program.
Holiday Programs Launch
The Angel Tree program, created by The Salvation Army in 1979, helps provide Christmas gifts for children in need. The program provided gifts for more than one million children last Christmas nationwide. Local families can apply for assistance through the program, which pairs children with community donors who purchase clothing and toys from wish lists.
Once a child or senior adult has been registered and accepted as an Angel their Christmas wish list is shared with donors in the community who purchase gifts of new clothing and toys. The gifts are then distributed to families to place under their Christmas trees.
The iconic Red Kettle campaign serves as the organization's largest fundraiser. The funds raised during the holiday season are vital to sustaining operations and programs throughout the year, supporting everything from emergency shelter to food pantries.
Year-Round Services
Beyond seasonal programs, the Hutchinson location operates multiple services for community members in crisis. The Salvation Army provides rent or mortgage assistance, utility assistance, medicine assistance, food and clothing, and transportation support including bus passes.
The organization provides a safe place for people to take care of their personal hygiene by providing soap, towels and a place to take a needed shower. Staff also manage financial affairs for approximately 120 individuals through a payee program.
The local corps offers emergency disaster services that are adapted to the specific needs of individuals and communities and scalable according to the magnitude of the disaster. Services include disaster response, emergency payments, emergency food and temporary shelter.
For individuals ages 21 to 65 struggling with substance abuse, The Salvation Army provides a safe place for recovery through a six-month program that offers a place to sleep, food to eat, and a new beginning at no cost to program participants.
Hours and Contact
The Salvation Army Hutchinson operates Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is closed weekends. The facility can be reached at 620-663-3353.
The Salvation Army in Hutchinson is dedicated to providing hope to families throughout Reno County, serving the community without discrimination regardless of background or circumstances.
Individuals and families seeking holiday assistance or year-round services are encouraged to contact the local corps directly. Those interested in volunteering or donating to support seasonal programs can also reach out to the Walnut Street location.
The Salvation Army has served communities for more than 150 years as both a church and social service organization, originally founded in London, England in 1865.