By: Kendall Keylor
TULSA, OK — One organization is helping those in need during COVID-19.
Although the pandemic has hit hard, this hasn’t stopped them from doing their main job – helping the community.
The Salvation Army in Tulsa, OK. took action during these trying times.
Center of Hope serves as a homeless shelter for their most vulnerable population. This is located in downtown Tulsa.
Cleaning became their number one priority to keep those who are homeless safe in the shelter.
“We started cleaning main areas on the hour, so hourly cleaning in our main lobby area,” said Sara Kleinecke, Public Relations Manager of Salvation Army in Tulsa, OK. “We usually do a community lunch, which that is still happening, and it used to be in our dining room, but we eliminated group dining so we can follow CDC guidelines for social distancing, so now we are doing grab-and-go lunches.
Kleinecke said there are still some obstacles the organization has come across during this pandemic.
“We have experienced higher cost,” said Kleinecke. “What we’ve had to do is we’ve had to start a community donation drive for cleaning supplies.”
Being proactive is important right now to the Salvation Army team. Such as opening Maybee Red Shield for children of essential workers.
This is an option for parents who started heading back to work to drop off their kids at a safe and clean environment.
Kleinecke said they are still accepting tangible donations such as antibacterial wipes, lysol, and bottled water.
The organization is also accepting monetary donations for their COVID-19 response fund at www.salarmytulsa.org.