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Salvation Army charity shops associated with its East City Corps are not closing and there’s no decision yet on the future use of its property in Howick.
The Salvation Army (Te Ope Whakaora) has explained more about its surprise withdrawal of East City Corps from operations and social and worship services in Howick after 38 years, after the Times last week reported on the impending shutdown.
In a statement to the Times, reported on February 20, the Salvation Army’s chief secretary Gerry Walker said from its Wellington headquarters: “We can confirm that we are withdrawing from the East City Corps on Friday, March 14.
“This is due to our work at that location becoming unsustainable. It’s important to note the building is not being demolished,” Walker said.
Last week’s Times story generated high readership interest and an outpouring of sadness on social media.
There were also questions raised about the future of the Salvation Army property at 37-45 Wellington Street, Howick; of the charity shops in Rices Mall at Howick Village and Ti Rakau Drive; and of social services provided by East City Corps.
The Times had already sent follow-up questions to the Salvation Army and spoke with its lead Auckland area officer David Daly over the past week.
He confirms the Salvation Army owns the land and building in Wellington Street.
When asked will the building be closed completely, or will the Sallies look to lease it, Daly said: “This decision has not yet been finalised.”
He said the two charity shops will continue trading and accepting donations and contributions from the community. “There is no impact to the stores.”
Three part-time employees are impacted by the East City Corps closure and Daly confirms the Salvation Army is working with the staff members on the employment matters.
“We found the centre was unsustainable and needed to rationalise our delivery of [social and fellowship] services.
“Services that have been provided from the Wellington Street site are no longer sustainable, so those will conclude,” Daly said.
A notice in the windows says the Salvation Army Howick foodbank finishes serving the east Auckland community on Friday, February 28.
Sunday church worship services finished in early December, with the congregation down to less than 20 people.
“Attendance had diminished to a point where it is unsustainable to keep these functioning,” Daly said.
It’s been a very hard decision to withdraw East City Corps from operations and providing help to people in east Auckland, Daly said.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the support, mahi [work] and aroha [love] over the years our services have been operating in Howick.
“We have been in Auckland for over 141 years and will continue to respond to human need as best as we are able with the resources made available to us.
“Our support may look different within Howick at this time. However, our wider services are still available to the community.”
Daly further explained that the Salvation Army has also been impacted nationally by a “drop-off” of food contributions and less donations and grants being received in the Sallies’ annual Red Shield appeal since the Covid era.
“We’ve been hit by the cost of living.”
- The earlier story about the closure of Salvation Army East City Corps is at https://www.times.co.nz/local-business/salvation-army-shutting-down/
