Salvation Army helps us all

span.deletedtext { background-color: red; background-attachment: scroll; background-repeat: repeat; }span.embeddedtag { background-color: yellow; background-attachment: scroll; background-repeat: repeat; }span.note { background-color: lime; background-attachment: scroll; background-repeat: repeat; } Church Women United and Klothes Kloset volunteers are being honored by the Salvation Army Kalispell Corps. A $ 2,500 contribution made possible by Klothes Kloset income was given to Touch of Grace in 2010. A plaque commemorating support for the Salvation Army and Touch of Grace Clinic will be presented during the one o'clock meeting at the Klothes Kloset, Tuesday, May 17. Majors of the Kalispell Corps are Steve and Merry Svenson.

A large and varied number of assistance programs are available to Flathead residents annually through the Salvation Army Kalispell Corps. Totals for 2010 show the following statistics:

• 696 medical services were tallied through Touch of Grace Health Clinic. Patients are those who have no insurance, meet poverty guidelines, and "have fallen through the cracks."

Doctors from throughout the area volunteer at the health clinic. Prescriptions are provided through the clinic or Salvation Army's pharmaceutical program, which seeks to obtain no-cost medications for individuals with ongoing prescription needs. There are lab or X-ray services through partnership with Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

• 27,314 meals served at the community kitchen. These include hot breakfast and lunch, averaging 104 meals daily, Mondays through Fridays.

• 91 nights of emergency lodging provided, mainly at the Samaritan House room rented by the Salvation Army. A local family or individual not having access to Samaritan House occasionally provided a motel room.

• 952 showers were taken by needy individuals at the Community Center. It is termed especially beneficial to workers not having hot water.

• 7,836 clothing and household items were received by individuals using vouchers provided for Salvation Army Thrift Store. Sleeping bags, blankets and warm clothing are among items given to the homeless.

• 71 residents attended camps with small fee paid by families and remainder financed by the Salvation Army.

The list continues with transportation, food, school supplies, back packs, Christmas gifts items offered to Flathead's needy through Salvation Army Kalispell Corps. Once again, Klothes Kloset volunteers, donors and patrons of Church Women United are able to realize far reaching values of their efforts.

Gladys Shay is a longtime resident and columnist for the Hungry Horse News.