Salvation Army struggles to offer aid to those in need

By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    In times of a tight economy, many individuals are seeking more ways to stretch their dollar. According to Captain Irma Pearl of the Houlton Salvation Army, finding new ways to reduce household budgets is becoming widespread in Aroostook County.
    “I think people are trying to be more conscientious of what they are spending their money on these days,” Pearl said.
    It has been a tough time financially for the Salvation Army in Southern Aroostook. Financial donations are down this summer, but the number of people looking for help has remained steady.
    “We have had people who used to give money to the Salvation Army who are now coming in looking for assistance,” Pearl said. “A lot of it is people have lost their jobs and need help adjusting to a much lower income level.”
    Pearl said she works with individuals, providing information on how to get by with less money.
    “I sit down with people and try to go over a working budget with them,” she explained.
    For some individuals, cutting back means getting rid of either home phone lines or cell phones. For others, it may mean eliminating expensive cable television bills.
    Pearl estimated she sees more than 100 individuals on a monthly basis in the Houlton area alone. However, lately, helping those individuals has become even more difficult.
    “Right now, we are out of funds,” she said. “We spent $13,000 more last month than we did last year helping people because of the economy. Times are very tight right now.”
    Leaders at the Salvation Army locations in Aroostook County are seeing a steady stream of people seeking either financial support, food donations or assistance with budgetary planning. One area that the group provides assistance is through its Family Stores.
    According to the group’s website, Salvation Army Family Stores are “at the heart of the Adult Rehabilitation Center philosophy.”
    These community stores serve several distinct purposes:
    • Family Stores provide quality clothing, furniture and other goods to the community at bargain prices.
    • The Salvation Army’s Adult Rehabiliation Centers are 100% funded from the proceeds of our Family Stores, allowing them to be self-sustaining.
    • A major part of the men’s and women’s involvement in their own rehabilitation is Work Therapy. Some of this is done in the Family Stores allowing them to regain self-esteem and learn valuable vocational skills as well.
    “Donations are slower in the summer, but the need is still there,” Pearl said. “My heart goes out to people, because they are trying [to make ends meet.] We see a lot of people taking jobs for less pay that have been traditionally been reserved for younger people.”
    To make a donation, either monetarily or with articles of clothing, contact Pearl at 532-2322.