By Robin GOLDSWORTHY

They’re almost synonymous with Christmas – the holiday bell ringers standing next to the red kettles outside grocery stores and retailers, offering greetings and reminders that donations are needed to help the less fortunate. But the Salvation Army – an institute that stretches back over 150 years – is much more than that.

The local unit of the Salvation Army, which services Glendale, Burbank and the foothill communities, partners with Catholic Charities and Tierra del Sol to prepare and deliver meals as part of the Meals on Wheels program.

The local Salvation Army boasts an active youth program. The Zone welcomes children in grades one through six, helping them with homework and providing a safe place to hang out from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on school days.

“We help kids who live in nearby homes,” said Capt. Kelly Berggren who, with his wife Natalia, oversees the Glendale facility. “We’ve found the kids who we’re helping are improving in [school test] scores.”

Like most programs run by the Salvation Army, the Zone program does not receive any government funds and is supported 100% through donations.

Berggren said that during the pandemic the Salvation Army tried to maintain a regular presence with attendees of the Zone program; however, it was tough.

“We tried to keep it going via Zoom but we lost contact with the families,” he said adding that since restrictions have loosened or ended kids are returning to the program and are appreciative of the help. “We even pick up from [nearby] Edison Elementary School.”

The Salvation Army has also provided a food pantry for the Glendale area for over 90 years – something that was particularly needed during the pandemic.

“We supply food free of charge once a month for people who need help,” said Berggren. The only requirement is that recipients live in the Glendale or Burbank area.

“Our usage doubled during pandemic,” Berggren added. “People who never thought they’d need our service were picking up food.”

Being solely supported by donations, pantry supplies ran low during COVID.

“There weren’t any food drives,” he explained adding that the Salvation Army had to purchase a lot of the food that was given away. “But we managed.”

The many programs the Salvation Army offers are part of the outreach efforts of its church.

“Most people don’t know that the Salvation Army is a church,” said Berggren.

The Glendale facility includes a church that includes Bible study and Sunday worship services.

Incorporating faith-based recovery is a key component of the Salvation Army’s housing program. Berggren explained that anyone who seeks addiction recovery – whether related to alcohol or drugs – can contact the Salvation Army for help. One primary condition, though, is they have to arrive at the Salvation Army clean and sober before they can be admitted and receive services.

“We provide ‘bridge housing,’” he said. “It usually takes about nine months to a year to move someone into permanent housing.” During that time, the Salvation Army will provide a bed, shower, three meals a day, and introduction to Alcoholics Anonymous and its crisis center program. The Salvation Army receives state and federal assistance for this program.

It is also mandatory that clients attend Bible study and chapel.

The Salvation Army also provides work therapy.

“People can work in our thrift stores after a period of time,” Berggren explained. “Part of the recovery process is being part of our mentoring program, too.”

Those who are part of the recovery process for a longer time guide the newer arrivals.

The Salvation Army boasts one of the largest recovery centers in the United States. In Pasadena, there’s a facility with 120 beds available. Nearer to Glendale, the Salvation Army offers the Booth House, a facility that is run in partnership with the Dept. of Mental Health. There a maximum of 15 senior citizens can be housed with the majority coming from living on the street.

“We have a high level of success,” said Berggren of the program.

Berggren feels that one of the biggest benefits of the Salvation Army is meeting people wherever they are in the their journey – an attitude shared by the advisory board that oversees the Glendale operation.

Richard Dell is the chairman of the board and has been involved with the Salvation Army for over 15 years.

“We will help anyone who needs it,” he said of the Salvation Army. “Anyone. When people are hurting and there is nowhere else to turn – we’re here.”

Dell said the sterling reputation of the Salvation Army and its social programs are also helpful to people who are seeking help.

“Unlike some other non-profits, we’re not ‘bottom line oriented,’” he said. “If people need help we’ll find a way to help them.”

He praised Capts. Kelly and Natalia Berggren for the ways they work with those in need.

“They create such a comfortable environment for people,” he said. “They give people the sense of how much we care. I think it sets us apart.”

In addressing the current homelessness crisis the Salvation Army provides a hot lunch Monday through Thursday at the Glendale facility and also a bag of food that is specially designed for homeless people. The Glendale facility is also finalizing a mobile shower program to meet people in the community who might not otherwise have a way to keep clean. Berggren explained that these components hark back to the basics of the Salvation Army: soup, soap and salvation.

“We want to show people dignity,” he said. “People don’t feel good about themselves if they’re hungry or dirty.”

The portable shower is a self-contained unit. It will hopefully be used at the SAFE program in Burbank and will be ready for use shortly at the Glendale facility.

Ultimately, though, it’s about helping people however they can and to do the most good. Dell feels that partnering with like organizations is key.

“Partnerships are extremely important in today’s world,” he said. “Our doors are open for partnership.”

To support the local Salvation Army, donations can be mailed to 320 W. Windsor Road, Glendale, CA 91204. People who want to support a specific program can make a notation on the check’s memo line. To learn more, visit https://glendale-ca.salvationarmy.org/.

“We really care. We’re here 24/7” said Dell, “and we’re one of the best kept secrets.”