October 1, 2024 - September 30, 2025
letter from the area commander
Dear Friends,
We are pleased to share with you The Salvation Army of Milwaukee County’s 2025 Impact Report, which reflects a year of faithful service, compassionate outreach, and meaningful transformation across our community.
Throughout the past year, our ministries have responded to urgent needs while also building pathways toward stability and hope. From food pantries and emergency assistance to shelter, housing support, youth programs, and spiritual care, each ministry represents our ongoing commitment to serve the whole personbody, mind, and spirit. Every meal served, every family supported, and every life encouraged was made possible by the generosity of donors, volunteers, community partners, and dedicated staff.
Milwaukee County continues to face complex challenges, yet we remain steadfast in our mission to meet human needs without discrimination. This report highlights not only the scope of our work but also the stories of resilience and restoration that inspire us to keep moving forward.
As you review this report, we invite you to celebrate the impact we have made together and to reflect on the lives touched through collective compassion and faith in action. Thank you for standing with us as we continue to serve our neighbors and strengthen our community.
God bless you,
Major Beverly Gates
Milwaukee
Area Commander
The Salvation Army
Mission Statement
The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.
About The Salvation Army
We’re committed to“Doing the Most Good.”
These four words sum up our goal to feed, clothe, comfort, and care for those in need; to rebuild broken homes and broken lives; to offer a way out for those who suffer from addiction, leading them to recovery. In our fight to end hunger and poverty, we also feed and nurture the spirit. It is in living and sharing the Christian gospel that we meet tangible needs.
The Salvation Army operates more than 7,400 centers in communities across the United States. These centers provide food distribution, disaster relief, rehabilitation services, anti-human trafficking programs, a wealth of youth activities, and more.
Our work is made possible by generous donors through corporate gifts, Red Kettle contributions, proceeds from goods sold in our Salvation Army thrift stores, and other public support.
Eighty-one cents of every dollar donated supports our various efforts across the county. We are a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization, and contributions are deductible for federal income tax purposes to the extent permitted under section 170(b)(2) for corporations.
Tim Nemec, Chair
Rick McKenna, Vice Chair
Christopher Hamilton, Treasurer
Sharlie McCain
Mara Ahmad
FY 2025 Budget
Advisory Board
Christopher Boston
Tim Bultman (life member)
Tanisha Collins-Johnson
Lafayette Crump
Tammy Gilpin-Ripp
Jeff Janza
Erik Kennedy
Bob Larsen
Jarrett Luckett
Kelly Matenaer
Chris Sauvé
Jamey Shiels
Christy Stone
Robert Wagner (life member)
Jacob Westphal
Jay Wille
At A Glance FY 2025
63,961 Individuals served
3,971 Volunteers
20,304 Volunteer Hours
34,077 Nights of Lodging Provided 103,231 Meals Served to Residents
113
Individuals (83 adults, 30 children) Served Per Month on Average
4,420 Health Clinic Visits
Volunteers Every Dollar Spent Social Services
81% directly supports vital lifesustaining programs that help locally.
Seasonal Programs Emergency Lodge
35,661
Toys Distributed at Toy Shop
42 Active Volunteer Chaplains
1,241 Individuals Served chaplaincy program Milwaukee County
12,897 Meals Served Through Feed the Kids
3,200 Meals Served at Christmas Family Feast
13,568 Grocery Orders Provided 22,033 Cases Served 11,875 Clothing Items Distributed
Programs and Services
The Salvation Army of Milwaukee County operates three worship and community centers, three food pantries, an adult rehabilitation center, a distribution center, and an emergency lodge. We have been serving others in Christ's name in Milwaukee County since 1889.
Army Lake Camp
Children of all ages can enjoy the outdoors at Army Lake in East Troy, WI, through camping, swimming, boating, hiking, music, sports, dance, and other activities.
Chaplaincy Program
Volunteer chaplains provide emotional and spiritual care to those who have experienced a traumatic incident. This program runs in partnership with the Milwaukee Police Department.
Corps Community Centers
Neighborhood facilities that offer worship, fellowship, education/recreation activities, and casework services.
Day Camp
Seasonal learning experiences that provide children with opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and organized group activities, including music and sports.
Emergency Assistance
Includes access to the food pantry and thrift store vouchers.
Emergency Disaster Services (EDS)
EDS volunteers respond to fires, natural disasters, and emergencies. They provide meals, snacks, beverages, and emotional and spiritual care to first responders and people affected.
Medical Respite And Clinic
The Emergency Lodge Respite and Clinic programs provide on-site medical support and prescription assistance, as well as coordination of medical appointments and transportation.
Nutrition
The feeding and food pantry programs provide meals for individuals of all ages, including the Feed the Kids summer meals program.
Older Adult Services
Booth Manor provides subsidized housing for individuals 62+. The Senior Center at The Salvation Army of Oak Creek provides a place for seniors in the community to socialize.
Pathway of Hope
The Salvation Army’s approach to creating a path out of poverty. Through the program, families set their own goals, and case workers partner with them to provide the resources needed to accomplish each one.
ROOTS Permanent Supportive Housing
Provides stable housing and case management services to chronically homeless individuals with a disability.
Seasonal Assistance
Includes backpacks and school supplies for kids, Christmas gifts through Toy Shop, Coats for Kids, and Christmas Family Feast.
Shelter
The Emergency Lodge provides housing, meals, programming, children's development, case management, and housing coordination for men, women, and children.
Treatment Services
The Adult Rehabilitation Center provides alcohol and drug addiction recovery programs, assistance and long-term support for continued sobriety.
Veteran Support
Includes spiritual support as well as participation in the bi-annual VA Stand Down, which helps veterans in need to reintegrate into society.
Respite program: Jay’s Journey To Stability
When *Jay arrived at The Salvation Army’s Emergency Lodge Medical Respite Program, he was facing overwhelming challenges. Experiencing homelessness and relying on the emergency room nearly weekly, he had no phone and no reliable way to stay connected to medical providers or family.
Several chronic medical conditions - some affecting his brain - made it nearly impossible to track appointments, manage medications, or follow treatment plans. His care had become fragmented, exhausting, and unsafe.
Staff also helped Jay obtain a phone, allowing him to receive reminders, communicate with providers, and reconnect with loved ones.
Staff immediately focused on stabilizing his health and simplifying his care.
“We helped him consolidate all his care under one system and created a patient portal login so that he - or we - could log in to see his upcoming appointments, his medication list, and send messages to his providers,” his caseworker said.
With these systems in place, Jay could finally focus on healing in a safe, supportive environment.
Managing diabetes and frequent medication changes remained a daily struggle, but the Emergency Lodge’s on-site nurse became essential to his progress.
“Having our nurse on site to help him set up and understand his medication and compliance made a huge difference,” his caseworker explained.
Though medical crises continued, small but meaningful progress emerged.
“Progress was the point where he would come to talk with us, and he would be smiling or joking around,” his caseworker shared.
Jay began enjoying conversations about books and music, once laughing that it was “nice to have a conversation about a non-medical issue.” As his health stabilized, staff helped him reconnect with his children and set personal goals for the future.
With donor support, staff assisted Jay in securing disability benefits and long-term care. After eight months, he moved into an adult family home near his family.
Jay left the Emergency Lodge with stability, support, and renewed hope - made possible by compassionate donors and dedicated care.
*Name has been changed to protect identity
We extend our sincere thanks to our corporate volunteers. Your contributions are essential to the success of our work. Want to get involved? Email Nettie.Perry@usc.salvationarmy.org.
A.O. Smith
AARP
Allspring Global Amazon
Apex Systems
Apple Leisure Group
Associated Bank – Hales
Corners
Aurora Health Care
Baird Center
Baker Tilly
BMO
Charter Wire
Children and Families of Wisconsin
Cream City Mortgage
DaVita Kidney Care
Ditch Witch Midwest
Eaton Corporation
FIS Global
Froedtert Health
GE Healthcare
Generac
Harley-Davidson Motor Company
Hilton Milwaukee
HUSCO International
Hydrite
Independence Care Health
Johnson Controls
Johnson Financial
KAPCO
Kohl’s
Landmark Credit Union
Leonardo DRS Naval
Power Systems
Limitless Property Works
Marmet (MRA)
Medtronic
Milwaukee Brewers
Molson Coors
MP Systems
MSCAP
Northwestern Mutual
Office Depot
Regal Rexnord
Rockwell Automation
Tri City Bank
U.S. Bank
United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County
UW Credit Union
Wells Fargo
Wisconsin WIEP U.S. Courts
Monetary Donation
Give today by mailing a check to 11315 W Watertown Plank Rd. Wauwatosa, WI 53226 or scan the QR code below.
You can also give through an IRA distribution, a Donor Advised Fund, or a gift of appreciated stock.
Questions?
Ashley Miller, Senior Donor Relations Director Ashley.Miller@usc.salvationarmy.org
Donate Goods and Clothing
Your donations to The Salvation Army Family Stores help fund rehabilitation programs.
To schedule a pick up and see what you can donate, visit SATruck.org or call 1-800-SATRUCK.
Planned Gift
You can make a gift through your estate plan without donating today, or you can make a current gift that will return an income to you, such as a charitable gift annuity or charitable remainder trust.
Questions?
Bruce Clark CFP, Sr. Director of Gifts & Estate Planning Bruce.Clark@usc.salvationarmy.org
Collection Drives
Host a coat, toy, food or school supply drive with a group or on your own.
Questions?
Fill out a form on SAMilwaukee.org
Volunteer
We could not support our programs without volunteers. Opportunities available throughout the year at SAMilwaukee.org.
Questions? Nettie Perry, Volunteer Services Director, Nettie.Perry@usc.salvationarmy.org
Planned Giving website
Food Pantry: From Emergency Food to Long- term Support
At the Citadel Corps food pantry in Milwaukee, service begins in small, quiet gestures: a volunteer greeting a neighbor, a box of groceries sliding gently across a table, a brief conversation that eases tension. Yet those simple moments ripple outward, shaping lives well beyond the pantry walls.
“I come to learn, to listen, and to love,” said longtime volunteer Julie Juedes. “Every time I’m here, I walk away understanding people - and myself - a little better.”
The pantry supports individuals and families facing food insecurity, many coping with job loss, rising living costs, or sudden personal crises. For volunteers, the experience is as reflective as it is practical, offering lessons that extend into everyday life.
First-time volunteers often arrive expecting to give, only to discover an unexpected exchange of humanity and gratitude.
“People think we ’ re just giving,” Juedes said.“But you offer food or a smile, and you receive gratitude, kindness, and real joy.”
That quiet exchange mirrors The Salvation Army’s wider impact across Milwaukee County. This year alone, its three food pantries distributed 13,568 grocery orders.
“Those numbers represent real families,” said Major Beverly Gates, Area Commander for The Salvation Army of Milwaukee County. “Parents stretching budgets, children who need reliable meals, and seniors choosing between food and medication.”
Supported by community food drives and Hunger Task Force donations, the pantries provide two to three days of emergency groceries while connecting households to longer-term support.
Inside the pantry, dignity is restored in small ways - a shared smile, a patient conversation, reassurance that no one is invisible, and that community begins with simply showing up.
Food Pantry
Locations & Hours
Milwaukee Citadel Corps 4129 W Villard Ave., Milwaukee
Thursday 10 a.m.–12 p.m. Friday 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Cold Spring Corps
2900 W Cold Spring Rd., Greenfield Tuesday and Thursday 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Oak Creek Corps 8853 S Howell Ave., Oak Creek Wednesday and Thursday 9 a.m.–12 p.m. First Monday monthly 2–5 p.m.
Corps Community Centers
The Salvation Army of Milwaukee County is home to three worship and community centers. They each offer a worship service on Sundays, a food pantry, programming, and emergency and seasonal assistance to residents residing in their zip codes.
Citadel Corps, 4129 W Villard Ave., Milwaukee (414) 463-3300
Captain Shanell Johnson
Service Zip Codes: 53205, 53206, 53207, 53208, 53209, 53210, 53211, 53212, 53213, 53216, 53217, 53218, 53222, 53223, 53224, 53225, 53226, 53233
Cold Spring Corps, 2900 W Cold Spring Rd., Greenfield (414) 763-9797
Envoy Telinda Ruszkiewicz
Service Zip Codes: 53202, 53203, 53204, 53214, 53215, 53219, 53220, 53221, 53227, 53228, 53295
Oak Creek Corps, 8853 S Howell Ave., Oak Creek (414) 762-3993
Major Dana Bigelow and Captain Jason Bigelow
Service Zip Codes: 53110, 53129, 53130, 53132, 53154, 53172, 53235
The Salvation Army Of Milwaukee County
Headquarters: 11315 W. Watertown Plank Rd. Wauwatosa, WI 53226
www.SAMilwaukee.org (414) 302-4300