Page 146 - South Mississippi Living - January, 2016

THEFINALSAY MAJOR
GARY
STURDIVANT
Area Commander, The Salvation Army Mississippi Gulf Coast
photo courtesy of Major Gary Sturdivant
I cannot believe I get to do what I do as a pastor/officer at The Salvation Army on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Throughout the year I get to bring hope to people because of your contributions of time, money and resources. You allow us to keep our promise of doing the most good. Each year we try to take the dollars and cents you drop in the Red Kettle and stretch them as far as we possibly can to make a difference in the lives of others.
In 2015 we helped so many different people from all walks of life to be fed physically and spiritually. We provided rental and utilities assistance, food, shelter during the cold weather season, help with vital statistics, clothing, life skills classes, Bible studies and many other types of assistance throughout the year. We are also ready at a moment’s notice to help if disaster ever strikes our Coast again.
Here are some statistics of how we helped families and individuals in 2015:
• 52,239 meals were served.
• 5,256 people received grocery assistance through our
Food Pantry.
• 12,289 services were provided through our Social
Services.
Our Family Store is a place where you can donate gently
used items and we can give them away or resell them at very affordable prices to help someone stay safe or warm by keeping them in their homes or keeping the lights on
or putting food on the table. When you donate items or we stop by your residence or business and we pick up your
items, we sell them and the monies go right back into our overall budget to make a difference.
We also have many different opportunities to make a difference at our Salvation Army Kroc Center in Biloxi with worship, music, arts, fitness and so much more every year.
I hope you will find some time during this year to volunteer so we can continue to help those who are in need. Call 228-207-2303 if you have time to help bring hope to others.
The hardest thing for us through the years is not being able to reach someone. I tell people all the time, “I love you and I’m proud of you,” and some of them look at me with the thought that no one has ever really said that to them and meant it.
Matthew 25:40 says...And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did to these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ This is the verse I try to live by in my daily life.
The Salvation Army
575 Division Street, Biloxi 228.207.4295 www.salvationarmy.usa.org
146 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • January 2016
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