Greenfield Centennial Celebration Reminds Community of How The Salvation Army Provides Help and Hope to Neighbors in Need

Community Supporters and Volunteers Commemorate 100 Years

By Heather MacFarlane

Over the past century, generations of Franklin County families have relied on The Salvation Army of Greenfield’s programs or services. To commemorate the non-profit’s first 100 years, The Salvation Army announced that it will host a “Fill the Plate” Centennial Celebration Dinner on Friday, April 14, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. The catered event will be held at The Salvation Army, 72 Chapman Street, Greenfield. Local resident Craig White of Hillside Pizza will be honored with the inaugural Dick Kimball Award for his longstanding commitment to fighting food insecurity in Franklin County. All proceeds from the Centennial Dinner benefit The Salvation Army of Greenfield’s feeding programs and allow the organization to continue serving more than 800 meals each month through weekday breakfast and lunch meal programs.

“As we celebrate our first 100 years, we are honored to mark this milestone surrounded by the people who have played a significant role in allowing us to move our mission forward,” said Lieutenant Paul Leslie, commanding officer, The Salvation Army of Greenfield. “Together we’ve made a lasting impact by transforming the lives of thousands of individuals, children, and families. As a result, The Salvation Army has continued to be a steadfast sign of hope for our Franklin County neighbors.”

When The Salvation Army of Greenfield first opened its doors at 178 Conway Street under the command of Captain and Mrs. Harold Bevan on April 22, 1923 the Great Depression was still almost a decade away. Although downtown Greenfield was bustling with optimism after the “Great War,” as local industry expanded, many hardworking factory workers and immigrants relied on The Salvation Army for support. Over the non-profit organization’s first century, The Salvation Army occupied several locations in our community. But today, The Salvation Army of Greenfield’s sign hangs on Chapman Street where their facility offers breakfast and lunch programs, a day shelter with shower and laundry facilities, social services, rent/utility assistance, youth and music programs, a church, and more to anyone in need without discrimination.

“By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, emotional and spiritual care, plus clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good to help all of our neighbors during their greatest times of need,” Leslie added.

During The Salvation Army’s Centennial in Greenfield, longtime supporter Craig White will receive the inaugural Dick Kimball Award for fighting food insecurity in the community. Over the past decade, he has donated more than 21,000 meals through his local business Hillside Pizza. The Dick Kimball Award was created in honor of Richard P. “Dick” Kimball, a former longtime Chairman of The Salvation Army of Greenfield’s Advisory Board who dedicated his life to both his family and the community.

For more information on The Salvation Army of Greenfield and the upcoming “Fill the Plate” Centennial Dinner can be found at www.salvationarmyma.org/greenfield.