The Salvation Army is looking for boots on the ground, a staging site and meals in its battle against poverty, addiction, spiritual and economic hardship.

New Salvation Army Majors Michael and Patrishia Knott have hit the ground running. They had to. Families will begin signing up for Angel Tree next month, the program that allows anonymous donors to go online to adopt “angels,” ages 0-12, and shop for their Christmas gifts.

“Our goal is 350 families this year,” said Major Patrishia Knott. “These days, it’s hard to keep up with basic expenses, and people are having to make some hard choices. The need is there.”

Last year, 150 families from Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron and Jeff Davis parishes received gifts. Because space at its facilities are limited, The Salvation Army is hoping to secure a warehouse to receive and distribute gifts mid-November through December this year to serve more families.

People who want to purchase gifts will be able to access the childrens’ lists online later in the year. Sometimes all employees at one company get involved. Knott will be reaching out to school counselors and homeless coordinators for their “angel” suggestions.

“When parents sign up their children, they usually give us one or two gift wishes and hopefully they give us clothing size because toys are great, but clothes are a necessity,” Knott said.

Volunteers can help sign up families or to help with distribution. Families pick up the gifts via a drive through area.

“Before COVID, families were invited in to hear the Christmas story,” Patrishia said. “What we have found is that now, when we take it to the car, families are more likely to share prayer requests and their stories. I guess because it’s more private.”

The Knotts are also looking for Bibles to give children and families who need them, particularly children’s Bibles and easier to read and understand versions such as the Common English version or NIV.

Join the Red Kettle squad

In their previous appointment, it was volunteers who manned every kettle, Patrishia said. She and her husband  think that can be accomplished here, as well.

“We’re doing it a little differently, making it easier to sign up and volunteer,” said Michael Knott.

When the site www.registertoring.com site goes live — which will be soon — volunteers can enter a profile and click on the location they are interested in, Sulphur, Westlake, Lake Charles, Moss Bluff or Jennings.

“Time slots are in five-hour increments, but that’s not to say I want you to ring during that whole time or that whole time alone,” Michael said. “I’d like you to connect with friends and make this a tradition.”

Food for body and soul

The Salvation Army recently opened its new shelter. On one side are men, and on the other women and children. Meals are served seven nights a week, plus lunch on Sunday.     

“We’re looking to re-engage our volunteers or church groups that want to prepare a meal, or if they just want to come and serve or just sponsor a night because right now, all of our meals are donation funded, which can be scary,” Patrishia said.

Homeless men and women can only stay at the shelter for 30 days consecutively. While they are there, they engage in life skills classes aimed at teaching “what’s needed to get ahead in a just getting by world.”

365, round the clock

For the person who feels a call to serve, the Salvation Army has a place and time to do it. Ways of offering help to those who need it most are endless, volunteering to help in the office, help with meals, adopt an “angel,” ring a bell, give money, share hobbies and skills, recruit and coordinate volunteers, train for disaster relief. The Knotts are qualified in disaster relief, and can bring in volunteers from other states.          

The Knotts are not timid about pursuing resources.

“I am the one who has to look in the face of the person I am trying to help,” Patrishia said. “And I don’t ever want to say I didn’t do enough. So, yeah, whether it’s volunteers, team members from certain sectors, grants, foundations or whatever it is, You can make a difference. You can be a part of changing a life, a generation.”

To find out more about giving time, money or other resources to the Salvation Army, call 337-721-8068.