The Salvation Army of Springfield has secured a $2 million challenge grant from the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation, bringing its "Lives Transformed" capital campaign to about $15.8 million of its $20 million goal. The grant was awarded after the organization met the foundation’s fundraising challenge requirement, according to a community announcement.
The funding supports construction of a new Harbor House shelter, a customer choice food pantry and warehouse, and expansions to the Family Enrichment Center in Springfield. According to the announcement, the projects are intended to increase services for people experiencing homelessness, food insecurity and other barriers to stability in Greene and Christian counties.
Mike Goeke, executive director
of the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation, said in the announcement that the challenge grant was designed to encourage local investment in projects with long-term community impact.
"The Mabee Foundation's challenge grants are designed to encourage communities to invest in projects that will have a lasting impact." Goeke said in the announcement. "The Salvation Army of Springfield and its supporters met that challenge through generous community support and a shared commitment to serving others. We're pleased to partner with them as they expand their capacity to provide hope, stability and essential services to individuals and families throughout the region."
Harbor House project remains central focus
The "Lives Transformed" campaign centers on a new Harbor House facility that will replace the organization’s current 85-year-old shelter.
According to the announcement, the replacement facility is planned to include 50 program beds, 10 respite beds and 40 crisis cold-weather beds. The shelter also is expected to include classroom and training space for recovery services, job readiness programs and life-skills education.
Major Amos Shiels, co-pastor and co-administrator of The Salvation Army of Springfield, said in the announcement that the grant represents more than a fundraising achievement.
“We are deeply grateful to the Mabee Foundation for their confidence in our mission and for inspiring our community to invest in lasting change,” Shiels said in the announcement. “Completing this challenge and receiving the $2 million grant represents far more than a funding milestone. It represents renewed hope for the thousands of individuals and families who will benefit from these expanded services for years to come.”
Additional projects targeted by campaign
The campaign also includes construction of a customer choice food pantry and warehouse intended to expand food distribution capacity, according to the announcement.
Additional plans include expanding the Family Enrichment Center to serve more households through The Salvation Army’s Pathway of Hope program and investing in program support and strategic reserves designed to sustain services in the future.
Campaign committee representatives Rob Dvorak and Nick Sheppard credited donors, volunteers, foundations and community partners for helping the project reach the challenge-grant milestone.
“The completion of the Mabee Foundation challenge is a testament to the generosity and commitment of our community,” Dvorak and Sheppard said in the announcement on behalf of the campaign committee. “Donors, volunteers, foundations and community partners came together around a shared vision of transforming lives. We are grateful for everyone who helped make this milestone possible.”
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This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: The Salvation Army secures $2M grant, expands Springfield projects
