In times of need

It’s often said that The Salvation Army has a ministry of “presence” – of being there in times of need. In 1884, at Christmas time, The Salvation Army in Cowra met the needs of a number of unemployed men who were living under the local bridge. A report in The Sydney Mail on 5 January 1895 states that they were furnished with supplies of provisions on Christmas Day through the instrumentality of Mr James Hill, a lieutenant in The Salvation Army, and a native of Cowra who collected subscriptions for that purpose. Today, The Salvation Army in Cowra continues to help people in need at Christmas time, through the provision of food hampers and gifts, generously donated by the local community and through the K-Mart wishing tree.

During the World War Two, when the military camp opened in Cowra in 1940, The Salvation Army was at the front line of service. As each unit arrived early in the morning, defence force soldiers were met at the station by Salvation Army soldiers offering them hot coffee and rolls. A total of 3100 men were served. The Salvation Army officers also supplied hot soup through winter months to men on guard at different parts of the town, at midnight every night. On 29 March 1943, the Salvos Soldiers Club was opened, offering free coffee and biscuits each night from 6pm to 10pm. (The club was financed by the local Patriotic Committee.) In 1944, The Salvation Army appointed a Red Shield Defence Services worker to Cowra to relieve the local Salvation Army officer of some responsibility from the huge task of supporting troops.