Savannah Army receives anonymous gift of $70,000

Major Paul Egan, corps officer in Savannah, Georgia, watches a procession of cars participating in a recent "Feed the City" event. The initiative, in partnership with Feed the Hungry and Georgia State Rep. Carl Gilliard, distributed meals via curbside pickup at The Salvation Army Community Center in Bee Road.

For the second time in as many months, an anonymous donor has given a substantial gift to help The Salvation Army in Savannah, Georgia, assist those impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Savannah CEO business newsletter reported on June 1 that the donor had given $70,000 to support The Salvation Army's efforts to aid individuals and families in need.

The Savannah Corps has been providing rent, utility and food assistance as well as spiritual care to people in desperate financial straits. It also has opened a second shelter, separate from its men’s shelter, for homeless women and children.

"We have been blessed to receive this generous donation at this challenging time for our community," said Major Paul Egan, Savannah Corps officer. “Since the pandemic hit, The Salvation Army has seen a significant increase in demand for all of our services. Many vulnerable people in the Savannah region have been pushed over the edge into homelessness, hunger and great need."

The $70,000 gift follows a $250,000 donation announced in May by the Savannah Community Foundation. That prior anonymous gift, from a donor-advised fund, helped The Salvation Army make urgent repairs to its Community Center and supported its COVID-19 response.

The need has only grown since then.

“Our doors have remained and will continue to be open to all, but our resources have been depleted," Major Egan said. "We anticipate the need for our services to remain at a very high level throughout this year and beyond. We remain thankful to all the supporters who make our mission possible.”