the Salvation Army

the Salvation Army group noun [S] (UK INFORMAL Sally Army)
an international Christian organization whose members have military-style ranks and uniforms, hold meetings with music, and work to help poor people:
a Salvation Army hostel for homeless men and women


the Salvation Army group noun [S] (UK INFORMAL Sally Army)
an international Christian organization whose members have military-style ranks and uniforms, hold meetings with music, and work to help poor people:
a Salvation Army hostel for homeless men and women



International Christian charitable movement. It was founded in 1865 by William Booth, with the aim of feeding and housing the poor of London. He adopted the name Salvation Army in 1878 and established the organization on a military pattern. Members are called soldiers, and officers earn ranks that range from lieutenant to brigadier. Converts are required to sign Articles of War and to volunteer their services. Doctrines are similar to those of other evangelical Protestant denominations, though Booth saw no need for sacraments. The meetings are characterized by singing and hand clapping, instrumental music, personal testimony, free prayer, and an open invitation to repentance. Headquartered in London, the Salvation Army now provides a wide variety of social services in more than 100 countries.

Type: Private - Not-for-Profit
On the web: http://www.salvationarmyusa.org
Employees: 59,651
Employee growth: 0.2%

Battling to provide social services, The Salvation Army is more than 4 million strong -- including some 3.5 million registered volunteers. Its Christian faith-based programs assist alcoholics, drug addicts, the homeless, the elderly, prison inmates, people in crisis, and the unemployed through offerings such as community centers, housing facilities, and rehabilitation centers. The organization also provides disaster relief services. Overall, it serves more than 35 million people a year, including more than 63 million meals. The US organization is a unit of the London-based Salvation Army, which oversees activities in more than 100 countries. US operations began in 1880.

Key numbers for fiscal year ending September, 2007:
Sales: $4,157.0M
One year growth: 25.1%