The Salvation Army began in 1865 when William Booth, a London minister, abandoned the concept of the traditional church pulpit in favor of taking the gospel directly to the people. Walking the streets of London, he preached to the poor, the homeless, and the destitute. Booth believed strongly in restoring human dignity and providing basic needs as a means of showing Christ’s love. Today, The Salvation Army is active in virtually every corner of the world and serves in 133 countries, offering the message of God’s healing and hope to all those in need.

Disaster Services

The Salvation Army began offering assistance to disaster survivors after a major hurricane hit Galveston, TX in September 1900, destroying the coastal city and killing thousands of people. At the request of The Salvation Army’s National Commander, officers from across the country moved into the Galveston area to help feed and shelter the thousands of survivors, while also providing much needed emotional and spiritual support.

Since then, The Salvation Army has responded to numerous natural disasters, transportation accidents, civil unrest situations, and terrorist attacks. By providing beverages, snacks, meals, and emotional and spiritual care to first responders and survivors, The Salvation Army strives to bring hope and healing to people who find themselves in the midst of extremely difficult situations.