CityView Magazine

giving ganization's Angel Tree program em- bodies the very spirit of the season. Year aſter year, S the local Salvation Army office, which assists people in Cum- berland, Hoke, Moore, Robeson and Scotland Counties, collects money to help the needy people right here in our community. Last year bell ringers took in just over $200,000, money that has been used to support the homeless shelter, provide meals to the hungry and to supplement Christmas for the 1400 families in need who seek help through the Angel Tree Program. "Many of our families might not look like stereotypical homeless people, they have families and come in cleaned up, but we all could be a couple of paychecks away from this," Jackie Godbold, Direc- tor of Marketing, said. "Some people might just have issues managing their money, or a couple might have both lost their jobs." The Salvation Army's homeless shel- ter has a bed capacity of up to 74 men, women and children. The family dorm- 28 | Food & Wine • 2011 Every Time a Bell Rings... BY KELLY TWEDELL The Salvation Army uses donated dollars and cents to provide for the needy alvation Army bell ring- ers are as much a part of the holiday season as carols and Christmas lights and the or- type room has four bunk beds with a private bathroom. The room was re- cently renovated aſter a shelter makeo- ver contest. The room is cheerfully dec- orated and has furniture and storage for the personal belongings a family might bring with them. There is also a family gathering area that was donated deco- rated in bright paint and furniture by a local Girl Scout troop. "Family space is the biggest need right now in Cumberland County," said Godbold. "The hardest part of the job is seeing the children in need, and every aspect of seeing the people we need to help." Shelter residents are required to be away from the shelter during the day and out looking for jobs. "Looking for a job and getting a job, that is your full time job while you are here," said Mary Webster, a caseworker. "The searching for a job is oſten harder than the job many might get." One hundred and fiſty people showed up for the orientation to be bell ringers for the 2011 season, Godbold said. They are each paid minimum wage and the shelter residents are required to apply, but not all will get the jobs. This means that some of the people standing outside stores in freezing winter weather ring- ing the iconic Salvation Army bell are working to build a better life for them- selves as well as for others like them. "Where there is a will, there is a way is what we've found with many resi- dents," said Jackie, on landing jobs. "We are not here to help people who won't help themselves," Godbold said. For those who are willing to help themselves, the Salvation Army makes sure that assistance is available. In the cafeteria style dining area, two hot meals a day are served to the public, for lunch at noon and dinner at 5 p.m. Many church and volunteer groups vol- unteer to help provide and serve food. Around 100 to 150 people are served at lunch and about 100 people are served each night at dinner. And while seeing people in need makes her job difficult, seeing people succeed is surely an occupational high- light for Godbold. She eagerly shares their inspirational stories on the local Salvation Army's Facebook page and Twitter feed, where she also conveys the organization's needs. Godbold said social media has proven to be an excel- lent way to marshall the community's resources. CV

• Cover