Here to Help: Murray Bridge Salvation Army
Find out how the Salvation Army on Fourth Street may be able to assist with food insecurity, financial struggles or social work.
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On Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9am-2pm the doors to the Murray Bridge Corps of the Salvation Army are open.
Behind the reception table, volunteer Judy Pinson is there to greet new, old and current faces.
The Salvation Army has been in Murray Bridge for more than a century.
A pantry in reception holds food and clothing that relies on donations from the community to keep stocked up.
Corps Officer Adrian Hamond said there was definitely a need for assistance at this time of year, with winter approaching – “particularly for warm blankets and people struggling with electricity bills”.
“We did have a whole heap of blankets out front this morning, which all went in under an hour,” he said.
Most of the help the corps provides is done through the phone assistance line.
“We've got professionals that will do an assessment over the phone and determine what type of assistance we can provide,” Mr Hamond said.
The corps also do Foodbank referrals for when stocks are low.
One main event that the Salvos run each year is a Christmas cheer food drive.
“It’s assistance for families and people struggling in the community with food … we put in about $3500 last year,” Mr Hamond said.
The drive also collects toys through the Kmart Wishing Tree and distributes them in the lead-up to Christmas.
How can the Murray Bridge Corps help?
The Murray Bridge Corps has a case worker and two financial counsellors on site.
“If there’s someone in the community who wants to access (the services), they can either come in and have a chat or call up our help line,” Mr Hamond said.
The financial counselors work to improve financial situations for people who may be struggling with debt or other assets.
“(We) try to work with them over a period of time to achieve their goals,” he said.
Case worker Gus Slotegraaf’s work includes goal-orientated assistance on issues such as social needs.
Mr Slotegraaf runs an eight-week positive lifestyle program that dives into core problems for community members in need.
“It provides a space to explore and change the outcomes moving forward, recognising what’s happened in the past and then getting supports in place to improve,” Mr Hamond said.
The Salvos also have an op shop on the corner of Railway Terrace and Fourth Street, open Monday through Friday from 9am-4pm.
Profits go back into the corps, with 15 volunteers in total running the second-hand shop.
The Salvation Army hosts a church service at 10am every Sunday at the citadel on Fourth Street.
- Get help: Access guidance support by calling 8130 6188 or financial support by calling 1800 722 363.
Who can Murray Bridge Corps help, when and where?
- Who: Everyone is welcome
- When: Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9am-2pm
- Where: 1 Fourth Street, Murray Bridge
- Church service: Each Sunday at 10am at Salvos Citadel on Fourth Street
- More information: Call 8531 1133 or visit www.salvationarmy.org.au.
This story was produced as a result of a grant from the Local and Independent News Association.
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