Salvation Army Officials: Economy Is Improving, But Poverty Remains Major Issue

Members of a statewide group that serves the largest free holiday meal in Wisconsin say that as some people move out of poverty, others are falling into economic woes.

The Salvation Army of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan is getting ready for its 26th annual Christmas family feast. At least 8,000 people, most of them low-income, are expected at the Milwaukee gathering on Dec. 25. Dan Jennings, the Salvation Army’s divisional commander, said even as some people are better off, poverty endures.

“With the economy being difficult for a lot of families, with jobs being scarce and with all sorts of things that might happen, that is catastrophic during the year. We see these new people coming in,” said Jennings.

Wisconsin’s statewide poverty rate was 13 percent as of three years ago.

The Salvation Army is still looking for about 700 volunteers to staff the holiday meal, although that’s about standard for this far ahead of the Christmas Day event.