Mat-Su Salvation Army sees drastic surge of overall demand for food and other assistance due to COVID-19

WASILLA — Like its sister organizations in the nation, the Alaskan Salvation Army is very busy.

The overall demand for food and other assistance is skyrocketing as more and more people find themselves out of work due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Mat-Su Valley hasn’t been spared from this surge in demand.

“We’re seeing numbers we’d normally see in a month in one day,” Salvation Army Alaska Division Division Commander, Major John Brackenbury said.

Mat-Su Salvation Army Majors Kevin and Tina Bottjen are constantly on the phone and participating in virtual meetings to try and keep up with the ongoing crisis.

“We’re making it so far with the help of volunteers and the community,” Kevin said.

Kevin said the need for food is increasing while overall supplies are dwindling. Thankfully, he said, they’ve been able to keep up the best they can for all these people suddenly in need on top of the ones already in need.

“I think we’re going to see more and more as the crisis continues to unfold,” Kevin said. “It’s very real and people are starting to realize the gravity of the situation more and more.”

Kevin said they’ve seen several new families a week looking for food assistance, families who’ve never asked for help like this before. He said rural communities outside the core Valley areas like Glacier View are getting hit especially hard and they’re gearing up to deliver several boxes of food for families residing in the area.

“Nationwide, the need for food is growing and our pantries are getting slim,” Kevin said. “We just need to pray it turns around quickly.”

The Salvation Army is currently offering a national Emotional and Spiritual Care Assistance Hotline that can be accessed by calling 844-458-HOPE (4673) from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. AKDT, seven days a week.

Kevin said Salvation Army officers, ministers and trained employees are ready to take people’s calls.

“It’s important. There’s times when you just need somebody to talk to,” Kevin said.

Kevin noted that calling 2-1-1 is a great, all-in-one resource hotline with constant updates. Those who call 2-1-1 will be referred to local agencies near them.

Like other Salvation Army groups across the country, the Mat-Su chapter is holding virtual Sunday services. Kevin said that every Sunday at 11 a.m., people can tune into the Mat-Su Salvation Army’s Facebook page for a livestream.

He said the best part is the fact people can still watch the saved video if they miss it. He noted that a little over 100 people usually tune in.

“That’s been a big blessing,” Kevin said.

While the Salvation Army has managed to keep up with the ever growing demand, they need help from the community to keep it up, according to Kevin. He said that donations go a long way and they’re doing everything they can to make every dollar go further, which is proving to be all the more important as each passing day.

“Everyone needs to give when they can,” Kevin said.

Valley residents looking to contribute to their local organization’s efforts are encouraged to donate non-perishable food and essential, sanitized items to the main office in Palmer or make monetary donations online.

The Valley is so good when it comes to giving because they care about their neighbor. I think we’re gonna need to rely on that, not just the Salvation Army, but the people of the community,” Kevin said.

People can also donate by texting the message “COV19” to 243-725.

“I know the times are hard, but we need the public’s financial support,” Brackenbury said.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com