Helping 9,000 People: Salvation Army of Levittown

On any given day, the Salvation Army of Levittown is working to do the most good for everyone that walks in through its doors.

In 2011, throughout Lower Bucks County, the number of individuals receiving Salvation Army services was nearly 9,000, and each had a story to tell.

“You don’t really know someone’s story, unless you sit down and listen to them,” JulieAnn Ody, Salvation Army of Levittown Development director, said.

Accoding to Ody, most people recognize the Salvation Army for its thrift stores, however, the international organization also has local community corps centers, such as the one in Levittown.

Located at 215 Appletree Drive, the Salvation Army of Levittown is responsible for providing social services and community programs for all of Lower and Central Bucks County.

When observing from outside the Salvation Army facility, its building and grounds may seem unassuming, however, as Ody describes it, there is a lot of work the Salvation Army does behind the scenes.

“We’re not just about the quick fix,” Ody said. “The Salavation Army cares for the whole individual.”

Many of the programs are focused on youth support and development, such as the day care, and summer camps. The grounds hold five acres of land, which includes a community playground, as well as athletic fields.

There is also a strong music education program, and youth from surrounding school districts may attend an after-school program for homework help or a safe, and free environment to study. The Levittown Corps also has a pre-school, set in a designated classroom area within the building.

According to the 2011 – 2012 Salvation Army of Levittown annual report, there were over 1,000 area youth that participated in the Corps’ youth activities.

For its adult programs, the Levittown Corps offers weekly Bible studies and worship services available in the facility’s chapel. Through its Community Care Ministries, volunteers of the Salvation Army regularly visit nursing homes.

Its large gymnasium also holds several sporting events, and can be rented out by groups. However, it is also a multi-purpose room, used for various events throughout the year.

During Thanksgiving, a feast for families is held there, with cooking done in the Salvation Army’s restaurant-quality kitchen.

Around Christmas, the gym scene is drastically different. According to Ody, through the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program, the gym is filled with toys, from wall to wall, where volunteers and staff sometimes have to work around the clock in order to sort and prepare the donations to travel to the intended communities.

Food Pantry and Social Services

In explaining how the social service programs work, Ody, who has worked with the Salvation Army for four years, points to the origins of the Salvation Army itself.

In 1865, William Booth started the Salvation Army in London when he started his ministry, reaching out to those who society considered outcasts.

The Salvation Army in Levittown started in 1898, and has carried on the outreach for everyone and anyone in need to this day.

“We are a reflection of Christ’s love. He doesn’t judge and he doesn’t discriminate,” Ody said, paraphrasing the Salvation Army’s mission statement, which she said has not changed since its inception. “He meets the need wherever they are, and that’s what we do.”

There are several social service programs that the Salvation Army provides. Some of which are community-wide efforts, such as with its Emergency Disaster program, where volunteers come to the aid of victims of floods, fires and other disasters. Other services are more personal, including its Emergency Needs program, where assistance is provided with rent, utilities and food.

The Salvation Army of Levittown also has its own food pantry.

The pantry is open for walk-ins from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 – 3 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. The pantry also offers baby and pet food supplies.

According to Ody, the pantry serves approximately 400 people a month. She said that the pantry is open when food is available to provide.

On a recent visit, Food Pantry volunteer Larry Clark noted that the pantry rooms were filled, however, just the week before, the cupboards were practically empty.

“If there is nothing I can do at that time, you will still leave here feeling well loved and better emotionally and spiritually,” Denise Graham, Salvation Army of Levittown Social Services director, said. “We can always pray together.”

Both Graham and Ody said that the Salvation Army relies on community contributions to fill the need.

According to the 2011-2012 report, in 2011, the Salvation Army in Levittown’s total expenses were over $1-million, with the majority of its expenses going toward programs and services. In addition, its greatest source of revenue was through contributions. She emphasized that donations made to the Salvation Army are zip-code driven, and that donations and contributions are allocated to benefit the source community.

According to Graham, who has worked with the Salvation Army of Levittown for six years , the food pantry needs food donations all-year-round. She said that those seeking the food aid have come under rough times due to the recent recession, and some are families who are homeless. However, Graham added that those seeking food relief, rent assistance or other social service are also seeking something more.

“They might come in for food, but there is always an underlying need they have to address,” Graham said. “We feed everybody’s soul.”

She said she encourages anyone to come and seek aid from the Salvation Army as she, her fellow staff and volunteers always serves with compassion.

“For me, it’s because I lived that life,” Graham said. “You have to have the love for them, for the people. We do the best support by doing the most good for all the people that walk through the door.”

For more information, visit www.levittown.salvationarmypa.org.