Captain Candy visits Byesville Rotary

Pictured: Captain Candy, Salvation Army, and Shana Fair, Byesville Rotary President.

 

Captain Candy presented a brief history of the Salvation Army to club members. She concluded by updating the club on what the Salvation Army is doing in Cambridge.

Candy stated that one of the Army’s major efforts is reducing hunger in Guernsey County. To meet needs, the Army uses varying approaches. One approach is their summer sack lunch program for school children. In 2019, the Army provided over 1300 lunches. Byesville Rotary contributes to that program to help provide lunches to kids in Byesville. This year club members volunteered to help make sandwiches for the lunch bags.

Candy reported that the Army added a new program aimed at reducing hunger. The Army has changed their food pantry into a “choice” pantry. People coming to the pantry have the option to choose the items they would like to receive. In effect, people “shop” for their needs. Users can pick fruit and vegetables as well as a grain and a protein. Frozen meat is included if it is available. The Army gets most of its supplies through the Ohio Food Bank. Baked goods are provided by donation from Riesbeck’s.

Each year, the Army offers a Christmas food basket available to people living in Cambridge and the northern part of the county. Sign-ups for the 2019 program were in October. In connection with the food basket program, the Army also sponsors an Angel Tree program so that children in families receiving a food basket will also be given Christmas gifts.

Byesville Rotary shares this food basket responsibility with the Army. The Byesville Rotary club takes responsibility for providing baskets to families in the Rolling School District. People can still sign up for the Byesville food baskets by calling 740-260-8242.

Candy briefly described some other services the Army provides. They will help people who need assistance with utilities and rent. One room in their building is now a hangout for kids. Younger kids use the space between 10:00am—1:00 pm. The room serves young adults in the evening. Candy hopes the area will provide recovering addicts an alternative to their old hang-outs. Breaking old habits and developing new ones is an important step for recovering addicts.

Candy explained the Army’s most recognized program—their red kettles—provides their main source of income. This year the red goal has been set at $100,000—up from 2018’s $75,000. People wanting to donate can drop donations off at the Salvation Army building or watch for small red kettles in various stores and organizations

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Connect with #ByesvilleRotary at: www.Byesvillerotary.blogspot.com , Twitter Byesville_Club, or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Byesville-Rotary/256548047818283. The club meets 7:30 am, Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Join us for coffee and donuts at 7:00. Walk-ins are welcome at the club’s meeting. #6690