The Salvation Army provides a wealth of resources to those in need in Wake County

The Salvation Army of Wake County is a large and well-respected organization that provides much-needed assistance to those in need in the community. This organization offers a variety of services, from worship services to disaster relief, and is always there to help those who need it. With a focus on giving back to the community, The Salvation Army is a valuable asset to Wake County and its residents.

Perhaps one of the most recognizable facets of the organization is its thrift store, which provides items at an affordable price. This can help families keep their children clothed or furnish their homes, especially when lower income may make it challenging to buy new. The Salvation Army also provides financial assistance in the form of thrift store vouchers to members of the community, reducing the financial burden on these individuals. Money from those thrift stores goes back into the community, helping to provide resources for the organization's family shelter, or even helping them get a suit for an interview.

And, as the holiday season approached, The Salvation Army is preparing for its annual and iconic Red Kettle fundraiser and its Angel Tree Program, which ensures children have something under the tree come Christmas morning. The program serves about 8,000 kids in Wake County every year who otherwise may not have a Christmas.

Another critical component of the organization’s efforts is the family shelter, currently the largest shelter in Wake County with as many as 21 families in the shelter at a time. The Salvation Army provides meals for those in the shelters as well as gives them a case worker to help with budgeting, job searching, and finding new housing. They also have a dental clinic on-site, Wake Smiles. The Salvation Army is unique in that they accept everyone no matter their past and try to help them move forward in a better life. They provide resources and support without judgment to help those in need get back on their feet. "We aim to help those in Wake County get a better quality of life, whatever that looks like. Whether it is getting their GED, stabilization, issues with addiction and mental health, or help with eviction," said Major Chuck Whiten, the area commander for Wake County.

For families that may be struggling with homelessness, but are outside The Salvation Army’s shelter, the organization has started Project CATCH – Community Action Targeting Children who are Homeless – which addresses the needs of children facing homelessness. Project CATCH works with families to connect them to vital resources that can improve stability for the children. Providing stability for children is important to The Salvation Army because they understand that a stable environment can set them up for better outcomes later in life.

"The Salvation Army tried to be as low a barrier as possible and accept people for who they are. Figuring out where The Salvation Army can resource these needs that the community needs and show that we want to invest in them so they will want to invest in themselves. And become a supporter, a cheerleader, an accountability partner, and put steps in place and help them navigate that better life," said Whiten when discussing how The Salvation Army approaches its goals without a stigma towards those who need help.

These are just a few of the many reasons that drive Whitley Law Firm’s support of the organization. "The Salvation Army is well-established with a huge impact on family needs in the Triangle. With food insecurity causing people to make tough decisions, The Salvation Army is there to alleviate those impacts," said Ben Whitley. Whitley Law Firm works with The Salvation Army in many different ways such as volunteering their time, donating resources, and giving back to the community to support their goal of giving back to the Wake County community and helping those in need. "It's important for us because this is the community that has supported us and it is our duty, as I see it, to return this success and find partners such as The Salvation Army that are willing to take those resources and multiply them and put them into use," said Whitley.