Salvation Army Addresses Critical Needs Across Counties

The Salvation Army of Olean thanks volunteers for collecting donations for its Red Kettle Campaign.

(This article was also published in the 2026 Community Day newspaper.)

When the heat stays on, the lights keep working, and food is on the table, families can focus on moving forward instead of simply getting through the day. Across Cattaraugus and Allegany counties, programs supported by the United Way of Cattaraugus & Allegany Counties and operated by The Salvation Army are helping residents weather difficult seasons with dignity and stability.

In Olean, the Salvation Army’s Shutoff Prevention Program has already helped numerous families avoid losing essential utilities. Assistance has gone toward overdue bills owed to National Grid, Salamanca BPU, NYSEG, and the Village of Allegany, helping households maintain electricity, heat, and water during financially challenging times.

Captain Megan Moretz of the Olean Corps said the need has been especially apparent during the summer months, when available appointments for utility assistance often fill almost immediately.

“One way we can help individuals stay healthy in our county is by ensuring they have clean water, heat, and light,” Moretz said.

United Way funding has allowed the program to respond quickly to emergencies that might otherwise spiral into larger crises. Among those helped was an elderly woman who operates an in-home babysitting business. After falling behind on her bills during the summer, she received assistance that allowed her to remain safely in her home while continuing to earn an income.

Another recipient was a young father who temporarily lost wages after suffering an injury that kept him out of work for several weeks. Facing a utility shutoff notice, he turned to the Salvation Army for help. The program covered part of the family’s National Grid bill, ensuring that he, his wife, and their two children could remain safely in their home.

The Salvation Army of Wellsville’s Emergency Food Pantry

Meanwhile, in Allegany County, the Salvation Army corps in Wellsville has been addressing urgent housing and food insecurity needs through two additional United Way-supported programs.

The Emergency Shelter Program recently helped a single mother and her two children remain housed after the family fell behind on rent. Through the program, the Salvation Army was able to provide one month’s rent assistance, allowing the family to stabilize their situation and avoid eviction.

Program leaders note that every rental assistance application includes an agreement from the landlord confirming that the payment will allow the tenant to remain housed for at least an additional 30 days. The Wellsville corps reported that the family has not returned seeking additional emergency housing help – a sign that the intervention may have helped prevent a longer-term crisis.

At the same time, the Wellsville Salvation Army’s Emergency Food Pantry has continued serving residents facing food insecurity. The pantry maintains its five-day emergency food box program and distributed two holiday meal boxes during the first half of the funding year.

Staff said uncertainty surrounding SNAP benefits during the fall initially raised concerns about whether the pantry could continue offering full food packages, but the resolution of those concerns in November allowed services to continue uninterrupted.

Beyond food, the pantry also provides personal care items and diapers whenever supplies are available. Demand, however, continues to grow as many families struggle with rising costs and economic uncertainty.

One recent client illustrates how comprehensive support can help someone regain stability. While experiencing homelessness and living in a motel room with only a small kitchenette, the individual regularly visited the pantry for food and hygiene items. Staff tailored assistance to foods that could realistically be prepared in limited conditions. After the client secured housing through local social services, the Salvation Army was also able to provide basic household equipment and additional food support as she adjusted to life in her new apartment.

Leaders at both Salvation Army branches say community partnerships and United Way funding remain critical to meeting increasing local needs.

Whether preventing a shutoff notice from becoming a family emergency, helping a parent stay housed, or ensuring someone has enough food during a difficult transition, these programs demonstrate how donor support can provide immediate relief while helping neighbors regain stability and hope.