‘We cannot continue to fund it’: OKC Salvation Army severely lacking donations, begging for help
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – An arson attack on an Oklahoma City Salvation Army truck filled with basic necessities and bare bones donations bins has the self-funded organization worried what this could mean moving forward.
Oklahoma City Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Administrator, Aide McFarland told KFOR donation bins are typically filled to the brim everyday.
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“Currently, we are running considerably low on these donations,” she said. “Today and several other days our bins are completely empty. We have nothing to process today. There is nothing we can sell.”
The OKC Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center can serve up to 81 men/day. The program for rehabilitation is six months long.
“They are able to come in here and receive services for little to no cost. They are welcomed by our staff with care and compassion. They receive clothing, food, lodging, counseling services, and spiritual counseling. They also are part of community programs where they go out themselves and do community service. We teach them how to live sober, how to gain independence again, how to have a sense of dignity and just self-worth,” said McFarland.
Men, like Charles Ligon say this program saved their life.
“It’s changed my life forever. It’s an experience that I can’t really explain fully. It was a place I needed at that time in my life. It’s changed my life forever and my son’s life, everybody involved with me,” said Ligon.
Now, Ligon serves his community by working at the OKC Salvation Army.
“I think that God’s put a calling on my life for service and I believe that I’m in the right spot for this season in my life. Hopefully I’m doing all the right things and it feels like I am because a lot of good things are happening,” added Ligon.
The rehabilitation program Ligon went through is 100% funded through clothing and furniture donations the OKC Salvation Army is able to resell at family thrift stores.
However, with a lack of donations, McFarland said there’s a fear of shutting the program down.
“When you have empty bins like these, how are you able to continue the funding in helping these men?,” asked News 4 Reporter, Kaylee Olivas.
“We can’t. If we continue to have empty bins, we cannot continue to fund it. We don’t have funding from the outside. We don’t receive any government funding or the United Way funding. We don’t receive any other funding. This is Oklahomans helping Oklahomans. This is the community saying with my clothes, with my shoes, with my old bedroom, that I am helping my neighbor,” explained McFarland. “Without your help, we can’t continue.”
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She believes the primary reason for the lack in donations is awareness since the Salvation Army doesn’t pay for marketing or advertising.
In November, a man set one of the organization’s trucks carrying backup donations on fire. The OKC Salvation Army says it’s still trying to recover from that.
“Someone’s trash or discards is our treasure so that we can continue helping this community,” said McFarland.
Ligon added the power of God will get them through this hardship. He and McFarland are pleading with Oklahomans for donations though.
OKC Salvation Army thrift store locations can be found at 1472 W. Lindsey Street in Norman and 2217 W. Edmond Road in Edmond.
To find donation drop off locations, visit the Salvation Army’s website.
You can also call 1-800-SA-TRUCK to schedule a free donation pick up.
“They don’t even have to be home for us to come and get their stuff. They can just leave them at the front door. We will pick it up. They just call us, set it up. It doesn’t matter if it’s just one bag, one little Walmart sack full of their stuff. We will come and get it. We want their things,” said McFarland. “We do make house calls.”
If you or someone you know is in need of rehabilitation services, the OKC Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center is located at 2041 NW 7th Street.
“If you are looking to get sober today, we’re ready,” said McFarland.
The First Baptist Church will be hosting a clothes drive on behalf of the OKC Salvation Army Sunday, April 7 from 8:30 a.m. to noon. The address is 301 NE 27th Street in Moore.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
