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 1931, when a “cyclone” was reported to have ripped through Sydney, claiming several lives, The Salvation Army’s North Sydney history book records that 98 grocery orders were given away. 9 beds received from donors were given to the poor. 250 loaves of bread kindly donated by a nearby baker were distributed to poor and needy families. During the cyclone numbers of families were helped with meat, milk, groceries, beds, bedding, furniture, clothes, boots and shoes.

When Cyclone Tracy tore through Darwin in 1974 workers at North Sydney Salvation Army continued tirelessly 24 hours a day while the emergency was current and for weeks later sorting clothes and goods and processing those moving from Darwin to Sydney and needing help with setting up homes and families again.

In July 1984, Chatswood Salvation Army opened “Booth Cottage” to accommodate families in need of emergency housing. This operated for a period of three years. Today, The Salvation Army at Chatswood operates Northside Women’s Services, a service supporting women in, or leaving domestic violence situations.