PEORIA, Ill. — The Peoria Salvation Army is thanking the community for its continued support, as the organization has seen a significant increase of people needing food, housing and other essential services.
The 2022 Tree of Lights campaign raised just over $2.1 million, exceeding the $2 million goal. The money helps provide food, shelter, childcare, emergency assistance and case management services to help people break the cycle of poverty.
The Salvation Army says it provided food to 6,100 people last year through their food pantries, a 123% increase from 2021. Households seeking help for the first time was up 37% as well.
The Salvation Army’s family shelter provided 9,070 nights of lodging last year, assisting 115% more families and 73% more children than in 2021.
“The poverty rate in Peoria is higher than the national average, and 15.6% of the children who live here face food insecurity. The need is great in our community and the contributions we have received will have a direct impact on people in need right here in the Peoria area,” Major Heath Sells, Peoria Area commander for the Salvation Army says in a statement.
