We asked and Augusta answered with 3,000 flip flops. At the end of June, The Salvation Army had a large number of requests for shoes from homeless men, women and children who were walking around during the hot summer months without anything on their feet. The Salvation Army saw a serious need for simple flip flops to help protect their feet from the hot pavement. The response from the public was wonderfully overwhelming as we have received more than 3,000 pairs of flip flops to serve our local homeless population.
 
Individuals, clubs, scouts, church groups and families dropped off new flip flops in all sizes and colors. Thank you Augusta for responding to an immediate need. The Salvation Army of Augusta now has enough flip flops for this year, next year, and maybe even after that.

“We are so grateful that when people throughout the greater Augusta area see a need, they step up,” said Area Commander Captain Philip Canning. “Our greatest need right now is canned food items for our pantry. It’s at the lowest level in years.”

With two area shelters closing in the last year, The Salvation Army has seen record numbers in the homeless shelter, with women and children being the largest increase. Canned food items can be dropped off Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at The Salvation Army’s Center of Hope, 1384 Greene St., Augusta, Ga., 30901.

Most needed food items include:

· High protein foods, such as peanut butter, canned beans, meats and stews
· Canned fruit and juice
· Canned vegetables
· Breakfast items, such as cereal, oatmeal and pancake mix
· Infant formula and baby food