In the wake of the state government shutdown, The Albert Lea Salvation Army will continue to supply Freeborn County residents nutritional meals through all of its four meal sites.

The local Salvation Army has for the past three years been a distributor of balanced meals as part of a statewide effort to combat hunger. Currently, the local Salvation Army serves nearly and sometimes exceeding 150 meals daily.

Since the beginning of summer, Our Daily Bread Community meal program has been moved outside behind the Salvation Army headquarters. This provides for easier access and a friendlier atmosphere to all that decide to attend the daily event. Our Daily Bread Community Meal is not funded by the state.

Other services that are being directly affected by the shutdown will be the county contracted scholarships for summer day camp. Scholarships have been awarded to 13 selected youth. In combination of the reimbursable meals and the contracted youth services the Salvation Army stands to loose nearly $2,700 weekly.

The decision to continue these services were considered during many closed meetings within the local Salvation Army.

“We will continue to live by faith and provide for our community the best we can,” Capt. Jim Brickson said.

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.