Salvation Army supporting Valley residents with ever-increasing need during COVID-19 outbreak

WASILLA — As more people find themselves out of work and more restrictions are made during the COVID-19 outbreak, the need for assistance continues to grow at an unprecedented rate.

The Salvation Army is working around the clock o provide essential services like food and financial assistance to people across the state, including the Mat-Su Valley.

Major Kevin Bottjen is one of the Valley’s corps officers, overseeing general operations and the thrift store with his wife and fellow corps officer Tina. He reported a roughly 15 to 20 percent increase in overall food demand in the community.

“We’re helping with food as much as we can,” Bottjen said.

Bottjen said there’s been a noticeable increase in overall food demand since the outbreak started, especially with all these people suddenly out of work.

“There’s been a lot of people who’ve never asked for food before in their lives,” Bottjen said. “People are starting to feel the crunch. It’s scary, the unknown.”

Since the outbreak, local Salvation Army volunteers have been delivering more food to people who are homebound, including senior citizens and those without transportation.

“There’s definitely an increasing need,” Bottjen said.

Overall demand for rental and utility assistance has also gone up but there’s a government-mandated in effect so no one’s getting kicked out of their homes for the time being. Bottjen said they’ve been told to basically hold off from rental/utility assistance until further notice.

He noted that the Salvation Army is working with people on a case by case basis and supporting each person’s unique needs to the best of their ability, whether its helping out with baby supplies or other essential items.

“We’re definitely here to help wherever we can,” Bottjen said. “If they have a need, contact us.”

Bottjen also noted the 211 support line is a great, all in one sourcer of information for community resources. He said it’s constantly updated.

Bottjen said all of the Mat-Su Valley’s Salvation Army’s church services have been moved online. Anyone wishing to participate can tune into their Facebook page every Sunday at 11 a.m.

“They can get a taste of what we do without ever stepping foot in the building,” Bottjen said.

Bottjen said the local volunteer pool is fairing okay but they could always use more, especially down the road where unknown needs may arise. He expressed gratitude toward his community’s track history of philanthropy, saying that he’s confident people will do what they can to make a difference during this time.

“We’re in the Valley, so people who can step up, step up,” Bottjen said. “The Valley is amazing when it comes to people helping their neighbors.”

The overall demand for food assistance is happening everywhere.

Salvation Army Alaska Division Communications Manager Lessa Peter said the overall demand for food is about two to three times higher statewide. She said places like Southeast Alaska are getting hit especially hard because shipments generally take longer to get there.

She said the best way to support their efforts to feed more people help more people is to make monetary donations, which can go a lot of further than food donations. She said the Salvation Army is seeing about an $10,000 cost increase per week when it comes for providing food across the state.

“I think we really just need to focus on monetary donations,” Peter said. “We’re trying to make the dollar go further,” Peter said.

People can donate online, over the phone or by texting “COV19” (one word) to 243-725. For more information, visit alaska.salvationarmy.org.

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