By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES – The Salvation Army has gone mobile.
In an effort to help those in need, the Salvation Army of Niles began packing its Emergency Disaster Truck with food and decided it was time to hit the streets to offer area residents and their families a warm meal.
On Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5 to 7 p.m., the truck can be seen at the corner of Fifth and Wayne streets (in the parking lot of the old Foler's Donut Shop) where a soup kitchen is set up.
"It's one way the Salvation Army can help meet the needs," said Capt. Tracey Walters of the Niles Salvation Army on Wednesday afternoon.
Walters, and her husband, Bill, are co-captains at the Niles Salvation Army.
The program started in December and will continue for the next six months.
According to Walters, the program is in a trial basis for now and an evaluation will be done after six months to find out what the need is.
"This is for anybody that needs a meal. We've found that if we take our kitchen on wheels to the streets, people can reach us easier, especially when they do not have transportation to get to us," Captain Bill Walters said.
He explained that meals include items you would see in a soup kitchen, such as soups and other side dishes.
"Church members from Michiana Christian Embassy and our members have really helped out with this program," Walters added.