Our short-term summer trips work with variety of different ministries, depending on the location. On a recent youth trip to New York City, our participants worked with the Salvation Army. Project Leader Ashley Bass shares a bit about what she learned on the trip and how it’s changed her perspective on the people in Santa suits around the holidays.
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Founded in 1865, the Salvation Army is one of the nation’s oldest and most well-known non-profit organizations. They have thrift stores in several locations worldwide and are famous for their Santa’s that stand outside department and grocery stores with their bells and buckets during the holidays.
But most of us don’t have a good idea of what the Salvation Army really does, and our team got to see them in action first hand during our time in New york City.
We stayed at the Manhattan Salvation Army’s facility and were graciously hosted by the joyful and loving staff there. They always greeted us with a friendly smile and helped with anything we needed during our trip. But the best part was having the opportunity to help them.
Nearly every day, we had students and leaders from our youth groups serving in the Salvation Army’s soup kitchen. Four days a week, every week, they open their doors to the city’s people in need, no questions asked. Hot meals are provided for them at no charge from noon to 1:00 p.m.
Ed, the Salvation Army’s social worker, prepared us for the lunches before the doors would open. He explained that the guests coming to the soup kitchen ranged from homeless people and drug or alcohol addicts to low-income families who work hard, but can barely afford rent, let alone food.
He explained that the guests come in the door and are seated at the tables, which are set with placemats and cutlery. They then wait patiently to be served by our volunteers.
“The people who come here aren’t saints,” he said. “They aren’t perfect out there, but when they come here, they know they’ll be treated with respect. They are really some good people and they are truly hungry.”
So our team put on our aprons, gloves and hairnets. We filled cups, scooped food onto plates, and served each guest with a smile. It was a life-changing experience for many of us.
Later, in our team’s debrief, many students shared how deeply it affected them when they set a plate of food in front of someone and, in return, the guest looked them in the eye with genuine smiles and wholehearted thanks.
We saw people with old, ripped clothes, people with open wounds left untreated, people who may not receive a friendly smile and kind word at any other time in their week. It was an honor to serve them with the love of Christ.
We also served at the Salvation Army Manhattan Citadel, the location across town where our team stocked groceries in the food pantry, moved boxes, and serve in their soup kitchen as well. We helped organize clothing and supplies for the days when the Salvation Army opens their doors to people who just need some soap or a clean shirt.
We even had the opportunity to love on the children who come after school to do homework and have dinner at the Salvation Army. It was their last week of school and we got to laugh and play with them, giving them attention we know they may not receive at home.
Each day that we serve with the Salvation Army, we were encouraged and blessed to be a part of something so generous and genuine.
So, if you’re passing by a person in a Santa suit collecting change for the Salvation Army this Christmas, think twice before walking by or questioning whether or not the money really goes toward a good cause.
I know we will.
We saw it in action, and we saw it overflowing with unconditional love and generosity to those who are truly in need.
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If you’d like to be part of one of our future trips, check them out here.
Photo credit: William Murphy. Used under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 License.
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