Services needed, funding depleted: New Bern Salvation Army battling with holidays approaching

While the Salvation Army of New Bern has weathered the last few years better than many charitable organizations, a combination of emergency grant money running out and workforce issues is leaving it's mark.

Major Karl Dahlin, who along with his wife Janice Dahlin came on board as commanding corps officers in June, said most of the relief funding the local Salvation Army received in the wake of Hurricane Florence and COVID-19 has been depleted.

“I’m not sure if the demand was greater, but we had $30,000 in annual federal funds we get for rent and utility assistance that has been spent quickly this year,” Dahlin said. “The period just opened up not too long ago and it’s already spent. So there is a steady demand for services. “

Dahlin said while the needs of the community have not changed, the amount of available funding has.

“Because of COVID there were special funds, more funds than normal to help out,” Dahlin said. “So now we’ll be facing the same amount of need without the extra funds available. So it will feel tighter for sure.”

Social Services Case Manager Nancy White said the greatest need she sees in the community is assistance with rent and utilities. She said many residents got behind on rent payments due to the pandemic.

“It’s like spinning their wheels, they can’t catch up,” she explained.

Like many areas, White said New Bern is also struggling to serve its homeless population.

“There are still people living in cars going to wherever they can to take showers,” she commented. “They still work but they have no place to live. The storm and then COVID have really messed things up badly.”

Dahlin said the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program is also seeing an increase in applicants. In 2019 the program served around 400 children, a number that has been rising steadily. This year at least 500 children and 200 families are expected to receive Christmas gifts through the local Angel Tree program.

The Angel Tree application process will open on Oct. 11 and close on Oct. 28. More information will be made available in the coming days on the Salvation Army Facebook page.

Dahlin said this year’s application process will be done both online and in person.

“We have the freedom to be able to help folks who have a hard time with electronics now,” he said.

Gift distribution is set for December 15-16. Dahlin said he is still searching for an appropriate location for the distribution site.

“Any business that is closed down that we can use would be good.”

New Bern still recovering from Hurricane Florence, COVID-19

White and Dahlin both stressed that many New Bern-area residents are still in recovery from Hurricane Florence. Dahlin said when he arrived in June he drove around and noticed a number of houses were still boarded up and awaiting renovation.

“There are still cases where people have whole house replacements that haven’t happened yet, so we’re trying to help pick up the pieces with them,” he said.

Dahlin, who formerly served with the Salvation Army in Salisbury, said New Bern is lucky to have strong community support for its food programs. While donations have been affected by the increase in food prices, he said the Salvation Army had weathered the storm.

“We’re not feeling the pinch as much here as I was experiencing in Salisbury,” he said. “People are activated, they want to help other people and that’s just awesome, it’s incredible.”

Dahlin said local grocery stores have also played a key role in helping the Salvation Army manage the impact of rising inflation and supply chain problems.

“We go out and pick up their food items about to come off the shelves and make that available,” Dahlin said. “In some communities, they don’t have as many options for good food, so we add those to our non-perishables that we give out.”

One area where the local Salvation Army hasn’t fared as well is staffing its store and offices. According to Dahlin, the organization’s staffing is down 50% in recent years. Current positions that remain unfilled include accountant, administrative clerk, and store positions such as assistant store manager, truck assistant, and four clerk positions.

Current jobs available with the New Bern Salvation Army can be viewed at https://careers.salvationarmy.org/.

“We had seen in the last 18 months the great resignation and according to the records I’ve seen that really hasn’t happened with our staff,” Dahlin commented. “But when I try to hire for those positions people aren’t interested because of the rates. They’re looking for better pay.”

Despite the ongoing struggles, Dahlin said the New Bern Salvation Army will is positioned for a successful 2023 and beyond.

“I’ve been doing this for 19 years and been around a lot of different places,” he commented, “and it’s wonderful to come to a place where the community does a wonderful job of talking to other agencies and coming together on a case.”

Reporter Todd Wetherington can be reached by email at wwetherington@gannett.com. Please consider supporting local journalism by signing up for a digital subscription.

This article originally appeared on Sun Journal: New Bern Salvation Army battling high needs, lower federal funding