SANTA MARIA – It's within the walls of the First Presbyterian Church on Cook and Lincoln Streets in Santa Maria where the local branch of the Salvation Army would like to make its new home.
"We're currently in escrow with the Presbyterian building", says Lt. Paul Swain of the Santa Maria Salvation Army, "we've got some work to do in escrow but we're excited about the opportunities to serve the community."
For years the Salvation Army has operated out of a tiny building on Fesler Street in Santa Maria.
But with the needs of those less fortunate greater than ever before, the benevolent army also needs room to grow.
"There are several other opportunities around the city", Swain says, "but this one here with the Presbyterian Church is by far the best, its Plan A.
The Salvation Army says the First Presbyterian Church is an ideal location because of its accessibility to the downtown area.
"We have a congregation of 70 people", Swain says, "so you can see that we need to be where bus central is, where city central is, where a lot of our clients and friends don't have vehicles so it's a good place for us to be here in the middle of town."
While escrow runs its own course on the future home of the Salvation Army in Santa Maria, the need for reinforcements from the public remains the same.
"Great volunteers are always needed", Swain says, "especially now with needs on the rise and anytime you can help financially or with food donations or clothing donations please come and see us."
