Salvation Army to use $5,000 grant from Ameren Illinois to assist local families

QUINCY — The Salvation Army of Quincy will use a $5,000 grant from Ameren Illinois to help local families faced with homelessness.

The grant will help the Salvation Army of Quincy enhance programs already in place while also providing an additional 8 to 12 families the support needed to find safe and stable housing. It will help reduce the burden of paying for a security deposit or a month’s rent while the family secures employment or other financial assistance.

In a press release, Heidi Welty, social services director for the Salvation Army, said, “Sometimes getting over the hurdle of a month’s rent is all it takes to provide long-term success to a family that is struggling financially. With the support from Ameren Illinois, we can help families avoid a homeless situation and bring positive change to their lives.”

The grant funds were made through the Ameren Cares program, which assists communities within its service territory through charitable giving and volunteering. Langston Rose, regional director of gas operations for Ameren Illinois, said the key focus of the Ameren Cares program is to partner with organizations like the Salvation Army to empower the communities it serves.

“At Ameren Illinois, we are committed to empowering the communities we share by giving back to the places we call home,” Rose said. “We are proud to support the Salvation Army of Quincy, as it makes a difference in the lives of families in our communities.”