Salvation Army providing meals, food boxes and hygiene kits to people in need during pandemic

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. - The Salvation Army of Santa Barbara County is making new friends as it serves people in need during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

More than 90 percent of the people being helped during the pandemic have never been in contact with the Salvation Army of Santa Barbara County before.

Corps office Jessyca Carr took part in the county's COVID-19 update on Monday.

She said they have an office in Santa Maria that has been delivering hot meals, hygiene kits, food boxes and access to showers and rental assistance.

In Santa Barbara's south county they normally have an after-school program. It was suspended while they partnered with the Foodbank, The Berry Man and other food sources to serve meals.

Carr said they have served more than 72,000 meals in the past three months.

More then 14,000 food boxes have gone out.

They serve food on Tuesdays, Wednesday and Fridays in south county.

Families can also pick up food from their pantry on Wednesday night.

She said they appreciate The Berry Man donations, too.

"The Berry Man people, The Berry Man company, has been providing us with 38 pound boxes of fresh produce, my volunteers are tired of lifting the 38 pound boxes, but the vegetables are great, we love it. We are here to feed the need if you will."

They are also going through the process of opening their summer day camp program and their fall after-school program.