The Salvation Army is now able to serve the community again after closing down for several weeks due to staff testing positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
Capt. Jason Perdieu announced the local organization’s closure on March 22. The Salvation Army staff member was the first confirmed positive case of the novel coronavirus in El Dorado.
The organization had to take immediate steps to ensure the safety of their clients, visitors, volunteers and other staff members. The local facility was closed to the public and operations were suspended upon notice of the positive case. Those that were in the facility’s shelter at the time of the staff member’s diagnosis were urged to stay in the facility for the duration of the staff member’s quarantine.
Yesterday, Perdieu said the Salvation Army had re-started operations, including lunch and dinner service, senior and USDA food distribution, rent and utility assistance and shelter services, albeit very differently due to Arkansas Department of Health and United States Centers of Disease Control social distancing guidelines.
“For us, it’s a very different time, because we’re having to keep a social distance from people. It kind of makes serving difficult, it’s not our style — we like to be hands on with people,” Perdieu said. “We just want to make sure we follow our mission in compliance with the guidelines.”
Perdieu said those who were at the shelter during the quarantine have since been able to leave. The Salvation Army facility underwent a thorough deep clean and sanitization before it was reopened, he said.
The provision of services now is different than El Dorado residents may be used to. Those seeking rent or utility assistance must call in advance of their visit; Salvation Army staff will only see clients by appointment, Perdieu said.
Lunch and dinner services are also continuing, but with limited hours and with social distancing measures in place. Lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and dinner from 4:15 p.m. to 5 p.m. Clients should come to the Red Shield Diner window on the front of the building to pick up their meals.
Those that receive senior commodity or United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) food provisions should call the Salvation Army ahead to schedule a time to pick up the food bags in a drive through at the facility. Once an appointment has been scheduled, one should drive through the back parking lot of the facility to receive their provisions.
“If anybody needs food they can call,” Perdieu said.
The shelter at the Salvation Army is also open, but the occupancy capacity is lower in order to promote social distancing. There is space for about seven men and between three and five women. Two rooms on the female side of the shelter are family rooms that can be used for families, or, if someone tests positive for COVID-19, as quarantine rooms, Perdieu said.
“Because of health department regulations, there’s a limited number of people we can house,” he said. “Beds have to be 3 to 5 feet apart, so because of that, we’re not able to house at [full] capacity.”
Perdieu said he is happy to have the Salvation Army back up and running in order to serve the most vulnerable in our community.
“The struggle is real and it’s even more real during this pandemic,” he said. “People are struggling to pay their bills, to feed their families … Even in the midst of this, it’s our commitment to continue to serve our community as best we can, but also in a safe manner.”
Perdieu said anyone with questions may call the Salvation Army. Their phone number is 870-863-4830. The facility is located at 419 S. Madison Ave.