Salvation Army runs out of fans to distribute to low-income families

Staff Photo by Tim Barber
Will Hale, director of volunteer services and special events at the Salvation Army, delivers the last four donated fans to the E. 28th Street location in East Lake.
Staff Photo by Tim Barber Will Hale, director of volunteer services and special events at the Salvation Army, delivers the last four donated fans to the E. 28th Street location in East Lake.
photo Delores Smith loads a donated fan for her mother outside the Salvation Army Social Services building Wednesday. Temperatures are expected to reach record levels by the weekend.

The Salvation Army won't be able to distribute electric fans this week to low-income families suffering from the heat unless more fans are donated immediately, the nonprofit warned Tuesday afternoon.

The nonprofit typically distributes free box fans and water on Fridays during the summer to those who need relief from high temperatures. More than 300 families have already received fans this summer, and 32 more are on a waiting list, according to the Salvation Army.

"We need the community to join the relief effort and donate new box fans," said Algerome Newsome, area commander for the Salvation Army in Chattanooga.

The Salvation Army will accept new fans at its Chattanooga locations at 822 McCallie Avenue or 2140 East 28th Street, or in Cleveland at 435 Inman Street.

Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from the Salvation Army each year, according to the nonprofit. The group provides social services that include providing food, disaster relief, assistance for the disabled, help for the ill or elderly, clothing and shelter for the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. The Salvation Army says 82 cents of every dollar go directly toward services.

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