The Salvation Army Thrift Store in Demopolis reopened its doors this week after a &8220;make-over.&8221; Local Salvation Army Captain Don New said the renovations came following eight years of somewhat cramped space. He praised the loyalty of the store’s customers and said the revamping efforts were orchestrated to better service the store’s clientele.

New said as part of the improvements made, the store has been expanded from the existing 1,500 sq. ft. to 3,000 sq. ft. The expansion will include a larger clothing area and a new furniture section. New said that the store will also include a larger line of house wares.

In a release issued by New on behalf of the local entity of the organization, The Salvation Army did not do as well as he had hoped with the Red Kettle drive at Christmas, so he hopes The Salvation Army will raise the much needed funding through the thrift store.

The store is what sustains the local Salvation Army through the year, New said in the release.

With that said, and the new improvements that have been made, The Salvation Army Thrift Store should be on top list for shopping. Not only will customers meet their needs with a purchase but they will also help someone else in need.

According to The Salvation Army’s organization’s Web site (www.salvationarmyusa.org), in this new century, The Salvation Army is serving more people in the USA than ever before. We are already seeing large increases in the number of Americans seeking the basic necessities of life- food, shelter, and warmth. More than 33 million people received help from The Salvation Army in 2004.

One major role of The Salvation Army is The Salvation Army’s Role in Emergency Disaster Services.

The Salvation Army provides numerous disaster relief services. Each disaster creates its own unique circumstances. The Salvation Army’s disaster response is community based, varying from place to place based upon the community’s situation and the magnitude of the disaster.

In a disaster, The Salvation Army has the ability to provide both immediate emergency assistance and long-term recovery help. Emergency response services are activated on short notice according to an agreed-upon notification procedure, while long-term recovery is strategically planned in response to the situation, through working and partnering with many other community entities.

Even with the ability to be flexible and to respond based upon the community’s situation, there are several basic services that The Salvation Army offers in most major disasters. Services provided include food service, hydration service, emergency shelter, donations management, spiritual and emotional care, disaster social services and many other services.

Following the tornado that struck Demopolis in November The Salvation Army was an important outlet assisting victims with their needs. When making purchases and donating money, remember those who help your community.