QCA Community steps up to help Clinton Salvation Army - CBS4 - WHBF Quad Cities, IL-IA News Weather Sports

QCA Community steps up to help Clinton Salvation Army

By: Jillian Wilson

jwilson@cbs4qc.com

Workers at the Salvation Army say they were struggling to stock their shelves even before it was robbed this summer.

But now they have a better kind of problem... finding space for all the donations.

"It's a hidden blessing actually, the robbery it really was a punch in the gut but our community has stepped up and we are now overflowing our freezer space," says Lt. Jeanette Jensen of the Salvation Army.

In June, someone broke into the food pantry and stole eight hundred dollars worth of meat.

Not only did they leave them high and dry, the crook broke one of their freezers in the process.

Workers say they almost had to close down because they didn't have enough food to feed the eighty five people that come every month.

But once word got out that they were struggling, tons of folks donated everything they could, to keep the Salvation Army going and giving.

"When our community is hurting it hurts us all and I think that was a big push for those around here in Clinton," says Jensen.

Workers say the outpouring of kindness and generosity was so great; they actually have to store food in their freezers at home.

"I think some of our regulars have noticed the quality and quantity has been able to go up a little bit. They are so thankful," says Jensen.

The Clinton Salvation Army is waiting on their insurance company to replace that broken freezer. Then, they'll be better prepared for the holiday season.