FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:
Lt. Darlene Clark
Administrator
Rochester NY
585-235-2769
Darlene.clark@use.salvationarmy.org

Thrift Store is Closing, but The Salvation Army is Here to

Stay
Despite Store Closing, Salvation Army Services Remain Available to Those
in Need

Rochester NY. April 16,2020– After 18 years as part of the Bath community,
The Salvation Army Family Thrift Store at 380 W. Washington St. will not be re-
opening.
The first priority of the store was to raise funds to continue offering
rehabilitation programs to people in need at no-cost, but the current financial crisis,
due in large part to the virus pandemic, has made supporting these programs
through this store impossible. “The decision to close the store was not made lightly,”
says Darlene Clark Lieutenant, who oversees The Salvation Army Family Thrift Store
in Bath, “but after much review, it seems to be the most responsible choice.”
The Salvation Army regularly reviews the financial performance of its stores,
services and programs to ensure maximum efficiency, and available offerings are
discontinued only when absolutely necessary. Along with expenses from increased
salaries and the recent shutdown due to the pandemic, the distance from The
Salvation Army’s warehouse in Rochester NY added additional pressures. Despite
closing down shop at its 380 W. Washington St. location. The Salvation Army stresses
that assistance for financial hardship and a variety of other life issues will continue to
be available through their service office located at 32 Denison Pkwy East Corning NY
and other area stores, including locations in Hornell and Geneva.
The store also worked in concert with The Salvation Army’s social services
office, providing clothing, furniture and bargain goods to families in need through a
cooperative voucher system.
Now that the store is closing, The Salvation Army’s Corning location will work
to fill the void. It should be noted that every effort is being made to refer current
employees of the store to open positions at other Salvation Army centers.
“The Thrift Store did provide great value to many families in need,” says
Captain Francisco Rivera, who oversees The Salvation Army’s social services office
at 32 Denison Pkwy East Corning NY “Although the store is leaving, The Salvation
Army isn’t going anywhere. We’re still absolutely committed to meeting needs by
serving this community.”
The Salvation Army would like to thank the people of Bath for their
understanding during this time of transition and for all of their support over the last
22 years.

# # #

About The Salvation Army:

The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church, has been
supporting those in need in His name without discrimination since 1865. Nearly 33
million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through a
broad array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for
disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing
and shelter for the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. About 83
cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in nearly 9,000
communities nationwide. For more information, visit
http://www.salvationarmyusa.org.