National Salvation Army Week
This National Salvation Army Week, we thank our volunteers, donors, and employees for making a difference in your communities.
National Salvation Army Week (May 12-18, 2025) is fast approaching. This week is set aside to remind or inform the country of the comprehensive nature of the services we provide to help people in need in your community. These are your neighbors — your brothers and sisters.
National Salvation Army Week was declared by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1954, and since then it has served as an annual reminder of the vast scope of our services and ways you can help.
National Salvation Army Week Has Been Around Since 1954
In 1954, the week of November 28-December 4 (now recognized in May) was declared by the United States Congress and proclaimed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to be the first National Salvation Army Week, as a reminder to Americans to give freely of themselves. In his speech, President Eisenhower said:
“Among Americans, The Salvation Army has long been a symbol of wholehearted dedication to the cause of human brotherhood. In time of war, the men and women of this organization have brought to those serving their country far from home, friendliness and warm concern. In the quieter days of peace, their work has been a constant reminder to us all that each of us is neighbor and kin to all Americans. Giving freely of themselves, the men and women of The Salvation Army have won the respect of us all.”
In the 70 years since, we have continued to do the most good for local communities and broadened our services to those that couldn’t be conceived in ’54.
The Need in America
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 38 million Americans live in poverty, and millions more live near the poverty line. Approximately three quarters of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, and 47.5 million people live in low-income households – this includes nearly 24 million children.
The Salvation Army helped nearly 24 million people in 2022 overcome poverty, addiction, and spiritual and economic hardships by preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and meeting human needs in His name without discrimination in nearly every ZIP code. By providing food, shelter, eviction prevention assistance, emergency disaster relief, rehabilitation, after-school and summer youth programs, spiritual enrichment, and more, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at nearly 7,000 centers of operation around the country.
How you can help
There are many ways to give to The Salvation Army to help sustain crucial services in your community, including: