National Salvation Army Week: Say Grace. Share Grace.

May 9, 2025

The Salvation Army provides opportunities for us to help our neighbors in need, right here in St. Louis, with this sponsored post.

As a mom, I look for ways to teach my kids to share and help others. For the lessons to soak in requires repetition, and I am always looking for opportunities to reinforce them. The Salvation Army of Greater St. Louis provides such an opportunity during National Salvation Army Week from May 12 – 18. Taking part in the Salvation Army’s program brings the lesson home locally and will have a greater impact on my kids as they understand they are helping their very own neighbors here in St. Louis.

The Salvation Army of Greater St. Louis is kicking off a campaign to offset food insecurity in the region called “Say Grace. Share Grace.” This year marks the Salvation Army’s 160th anniversary which is reflected in their goal of raising $160,000 to help feed those in need in the St. Louis area. Just $5 can provide a meal and make a real difference.

My kids can easily share $5 or $10 from their piggy banks, directly impacting food insecure people in our city. As a family, we can make a slightly bigger donation. There are also opportunities to make an even greater impact by donating in person.

Help Feed St. Louis

Nearly 400,000 people right here in St. Louis struggle to put food on the table for themselves and their families. A number of St. Louisans don’t have regular access to food, whether they are homeless or don’t have access to a kitchen, a can opener, or a way to cook. And it’s not just people experiencing homelessness who are in need. Think of the single parent struggling to care for their kids, or the teacher whose paycheck doesn’t stretch far enough to cover basic needs. This is something my family takes for granted. The rising cost of food is an inconvenience for us, but realizing it’s a barrier for others sparks a passion in me to help and to expose my kids to the needs of our neighbors.

How Can I Help?

You can directly help neighboring St. Louisans feed themselves and their families. Volunteer at one of the Salvation Army feeding programs, donate canned goods and can openers, or donate money for food. With only a $5 donation, you can give a meal to a neighbor in need.

an African American father looks on as his son shares Salvation Army donations with a volunteer

Throughout the week, The Salvation Army will be working to educate the community, collect non-perishable food items and can openers, and sign up new volunteers for their food pantries and community meals. Financial donations help considerably, but if you want to engage your kids in the act of helping others, you can donate non-perishable food items and can openers in person at Fresh Thyme Market at the City Foundry, The Pioneer Bakery Café in Kirkwood, or at one of The Salvation Army’s eight Greater St. Louis area locations:

Euclid: 2618 North Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63113
Gateway Citadel (South County): 824 Union Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63123
Maplewood: 7701 Rannells Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63143
Madison County (Illinois): 525 Alby Street, Alton, Illinois 62002
O’Fallon: 1 William Booth Drive, O’Fallon, Missouri 63366
St. Charles: 2140 North Fourth, St. Charles, Missouri 63301
St. Clair County (Illinois): 20 Glory Place, Belleville, Illinois 62226
Temple (Benton Park): 2740 Arsenal Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63118

During National Salvation Army Week, May 16 has been designated as a Day of Giving. Donate and take a step toward feeding your neighbors in need. And if you or someone you know needs help, contact your nearest Salvation Army Corps Community Center near you, or call 211.

Let’s show our kids that we can make a difference in our city, one neighbor at a time.