The Tyrone Salvation Army has seen its share of hard times, as the organization was forced to move from two locations in the past two years. Now that it seems things are picking up at the new location on Pennsylvania Avenue, Tyrone Salvation Army spokesperson Bob Maser said the organization is now facing a different set back.
He informed The Daily Herald that area residents are going to the Tyrone Salvation Army under the guise of needing assistance and then accepting clothing items from the Salvation Army. These same individuals are then selling the clothes items at yard sales to make a profit.
“It hurts me when I hear that,” said Maser. “We are here to help the community.”
Maser added that the Tyrone Salvation Army has become aware of the identities of the people who are taking the clothes to sell at yard sales. He said if it continues, the Salvation Army will be forced to contact the police.
The clothes that are donated to the Tyrone Salvation Army are there for those in need in the community.
The Tyrone Salvation Army Worship and Service Center located on 10th Street in Tyrone shut its doors to the Tyrone community on June 30, 2004, and after the announcement, many residents were worried that services would not continue for those in need in the area.
Those worries were put to rest when volunteers Bob Maser, Reverend Norman Huff and LeVonne Angelo, all of Tyrone, spearheaded the organization of the Tyrone Area Salvation Army in the form of a service unit located at the Tyrone Social Center.
Then, the Tyrone Salvation Army was forced to find a new location when it was announced earlier in March of this year that the Tyrone Social Center was set to shut down after operating under the Tyrone Community Partnership.
It was then the Tyrone Salvation Army opened at its new location, at 908 Pennsylvania Avenue in the middle of May.
The Salvation Army is open Monday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Along with furnishing clothing and food items, the Tyrone Salvation Army also helps those in need with their household bills.
Maser said volunteers are now working closely with the Tyrone Food Bank as well.
The Tyrone Salvation Army always accepts clothing and food items. It also accepts appliances, household items, etc. There is currently a need for children’s clothing.
Currently, there is a variety of items including women’s, men’s and children’s clothing, men’s dress suits, shoes, purses, belts, houseware items, stuffed animals and much more.
Monetary contributions can be mailed to: Salvation Army Service Center, P.O. Box 142 Tyrone, PA 16686 and can also be dropped off at the 908 Pennsylvania Avenue location. The phone number is 684-1664.
