It is very sad to hear that The Salvation Army will be closing its Sullivan County branch come November.

The Salvation Army which has provided our poor with so much assistance over the years will be sorely missed. Although they claim services will not stop here, the closest office will be in Orange County.

Despite many beliefs, The Salvation Army is not a charitable organization that is only around Christmas time. Residents who need emergency rent, clothing, financial aid, and other services the Salvation Army is known for, will now have to travel far for the relief they need.

For many years I was on the community board of the Salvation Army in the Bronx, and the work they did to help those in need was truly remarkable. It is very hard to believe that Sullivan County will soon be without such an office.

If there was no need for the Salvation Army in Sullivan County, I am certain we would all be welcoming its closing with open arms. But, unfortunately that is not the case here.

How ironic is it that an area that is considered so depressed to so many, cannot even keep its own branch of the Salvation Army open?

Of course it is all economics. Many charitable organizations are finding it difficult to exist today due to the fiscal conditions across our country. Closing the Sullivan County branch certainly will be cost-effective for them, but not for us.

Much to its credit, unlike other charitable organizations, the bulk of the Salvation Army’s revenues are spent to assist those in need rather than for administration costs. This all does not negate the fact that an office is still needed here in Sullivan County.

Obviously closing the office will place an additional burden on many other charitable organizations, as well as our government agencies. It should also be noted that many charitable agencies do not offer the same services as the Salvation Army does.

An elected official or community leader has to come to the forefront and meet with executives of the Salvation Army to see what it would take to keep them here.

Perhaps the Salvation Army can share office space of another charitable organization or merchant to cut down its costs. There are many innovative ideas out there that need quick discussion. Time is of the essence.

Despite what anyone might say, leaving the area, will ultimately remove the services of the Salvation Army from Sullivan County. Too many people rely on the services of the Salvation Army, please do not leave us.

Email Bill