Salvation Army Prepares for Increased Holiday Demand in Fort Smith

FORT SMITH, Ark. — As the holiday season approaches, the Salvation Army in Fort Smith is gearing up for what it anticipates will be a significant increase in families seeking assistance during its busiest time of the year.

Captain Dakarai Darby shared that the organization is already witnessing a rise in people coming in for basic necessities, such as meals and utility assistance. “We don’t really ask, hey, where are you coming from? How’d you get here? We go, are you hungry? And they say yes, and we feed them,” Darby said, emphasizing the organization’s welcoming approach.

Many of those asking for help are new to the Salvation Army, with some visiting for the first time in years. “We have a lot of people who are new to the Salvation Army coming to get assistance and people who haven’t had assistance in a long time,” he said.

This year, financial difficulties are affecting local families, making it challenging for them to afford even basic household needs. “Money’s tight; it’s been a long year for people to find jobs and any source of income,” Darby noted. “They’re looking to us for help.”

He pointed out that many individuals seeking assistance do not fit the stereotypical image often associated with those in need. “Each person would think it’s the homeless on the street or someone less fortunate, but no, it’s the middle-class people who are just saying, look, I can’t support this month; is there any way you can help me? And we do,” he explained.

Given the escalating demand for services, the Salvation Army is relying heavily on community support, particularly food donations that sustain their meal programs year-round. “By the grace of God, that’s the only way this is happening. We’ve had some wonderful people who have come and supported us with food donations,” Darby stated.

Darby has a personal connection to the Salvation Army from his childhood, recalling how his family relied on the organization during holidays. “I started going to the Salvation Army at six years old; every Christmas gift I got mostly came from the Salvation Army Angel Tree program,” he shared.

This year, the Fort Smith location is expecting to serve closer to 300 people for its annual Thanksgiving meal, a rise from the typical 200, due to the increased demand. Staff are actively seeking volunteers to help prepare and serve the meals, encouraging community members to reach out directly to the Fort Smith Salvation Army to get involved.