Submitted by Terese Kelly Greer
PERTH AMBOY – The Salvation Army, one of the Nation’s largest disaster relief organizations, is serving as the #1 charity in feeding the tens of thousands of New Jerseyans in need during COVID-19. Many of the Salvation Army locations are helping double, if not triple the number of people they usually serve – Perth Amboy being one of them, specifically since there are 2,000 coronavirus cases in the town. Last year in April, the Perth Amboy location provided more than 11,000 meals. This past April, they provided more than 41,000. Normally, Perth Amboy serves 100-150 families – by next week, they will serve 450 families out of their food pantry. One of the first days, within 18 minutes, they helped 100 plus people.
Bottom line, they have seen people who wouldn’t normally come to the Salvation Army nor ask for help. There are people coming with “beat up cars” as well as SUVs and BMWs. More children coming with parents or people coming for their elderly parents – a woman, age 29, with three kids came for help – her husband passed from the virus. In addition, they are seeing people beyond Perth Amboy — people travel from Sayreville, Woodbridge and Carteret.
Sidebar story: the Perth Amboy Salvation Army officer Mhairi Smeaton has been getting volunteer help from the Latin American Motorcycle Association (LAMA). The other day they were scheduled to receive 7 palates of food for their pantry and 15 palates were delivered. The Association of bikers didn’t let her lift a finger – they helped to bring the palates into the pantry. She also said that the Perth Amboy community has been working together – the Township, other food pantries, Soup Kitchen 411, etc. She has received several anonymous donations of bleach and personal care items.
In addition to monetary donations, they are also in need of snacks for kids, crayons and other activities, personal care items, diapers, baby food and pet food/supplies.
The Salvation Army officer also mentioned that they are getting requests for help with funeral services – which they of course don’t have the funds to provide.
