
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, February 12, 1991                   TAG: 9102120462
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: ROBERTA ENGLISH STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

SALVATION ARMY FUND HELPING GULF FAMILIES

The Salvation Army has established a $500,000 fund to assist families financially strained by the Persian Gulf war.

"We want to make sure family members affected by the war are taken care of," said Capt. Dean Hinson, commanding officer of the Salvation Army in Roanoke.

The fund is available to Washington, D.C., and Virginia residents who have immediate family in the gulf. The Salvation Army wants people who don't usually need assistance to be aware of the funds.

The money would help families faced with eviction from housing, cutoff of utility services or emergency travel costs.

The announcement comes at a time when the Salvation Army is itself financially strapped. The recession plus increases in insurance costs, postage and the minimum wage, and the recession have contributed to the problem, Hinson said.

"We're sort of in a Catch-22 situation," said John Shumate, chairman of the Salvation Army advisory board. "We're getting fewer donations, but more people are coming to us for help."

The Salvation Army has a history of helping out in emergencies and disasters. In both world wars they provided food service for the soldiers and delivered doughnuts to the front lines. Because of its religious background, the organization is not allowed into Saudi Arabia.

Despite financial difficulties, the Salvation Army hasn't cut any of its services, Hinson said.

The Salvation Army houses and feeds 35-40 homeless men every night. Most are chronic homeless, but a few each week would like an opportunity to turn their lives around, Hinson said.

The army recently added a new rehabilitation program to put homeless men in Roanoke back on their feet. This program would provide counseling and help the men find jobs and open bank accounts. These men would be moved into private lodgings and pay $50 a week.

"We're still active and trying to do new things to serve the Roanoke Valley, but we need help," Hinson said.

Donations to the Salvation Army can be mailed to 724 Dale Ave. SE, Roanoke, Va. 24008. If you wish to donate to the War Relief Fund, specify that on the check.

by CNB