The Salvation Army administers social services across every zip code in the United States. Last year, we assisted over 27 million people, including those living in poverty, suffering from addictions or experiencing homelessness, at-risk youth, vulnerable senior citizens, disaster survivors, victims of domestic violence and human trafficking, and so many more.

We are a group of committed Christians called to share the good news of Jesus Christ. In doing so, we are led to serve suffering humanity. Early in our history, we discovered that preaching to hungry people was ineffective when they couldn’t hear us over the roar of their empty stomachs. The phrase “soup, soap, and salvation” became a motto describing the nature of our organization’s service to others. To best receive the message of salvation, the distractions of unmet needs — like hunger and lack of dignity — must be alleviated. “Soup” represents the first barrier we address by providing for essential physical needs such as hunger. “Soap” represents human dignity, which we seek to restore for those without the means to care for themselves or to overcome addiction and other mental and emotional barriers. This holistic approach to ministry remains a hallmark of The Salvation Army today. “Salvation” indicates that our first purpose is to save souls, and we do this by meeting human needs in Jesus’ name.

There is no shortage of need in the world, and The Salvation Army is uniquely equipped to offer a variety of services based on local resources and the needs of each community. While services vary, we maintain standard best practices and strong regional infrastructure that ensures the best use of funds. Services are provided without discrimination to people of all religions, affiliations and backgrounds.

In addition to regular religious services, local Salvation Army corps and service centers may offer prepared meals, food pantries, financial assistance for eviction prevention and utility shut-off avoidance, shelters, supportive housing programs, clothing, household goods and furniture, casework and counseling services, and assistance in navigating community resources. Holiday programs are common and provide toys, gifts and food, particularly during Christmas. Other local programs may include music lessons, athletic leagues, senior housing, and youth programs such as Bible troops, discipleship programs, and summer camps. Most units also offer emergency disaster services in response to major fires or natural disasters. Some regions provide rehabilitation programs, prison ministries, anti-human trafficking advocacy and victim support, and veteran-specific services like counseling or housing assistance. 

However, it’s not enough to simply list the good things we do without explaining why we do them. While each corps and service center offers different services, we all serve for the same reason — love. As the Bible tells us, God so loved the world that He sent His Son to die for us so that we might be saved (John 3:16). Christ loved us so much that He willingly laid down His life for us (John 15:13).

Authentic Christianity must be lived out in the context of community. Any definition of Christianity must include the same sacrificial love for our neighbors that God has shown to us through Christ. This is why The Salvation Army serves suffering humanity in Jesus’ name. The Apostle Paul summarizes this concept in 2 Corinthians: “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15 NIV).

The Salvation Army does a great deal of good, but what matters most to us is that we are known for our hearts. If we truly love God, we will help others. Furthermore, the people we serve need to know God and love Him more than they need their material needs cared for. We were created for relationship with our Creator. If we’re known for our hearts for God and for others, then others will know Him and find in Him their most pressing human need met: their need for God. Please see page 5 of The May 2025 issue to read The Salvation Army’s mission statement.