"The Salvation Army began as a movement of the poor for the poor. In many places it still is, but where it is not, the poor have much to teach us." (General John Gowans)

The Salvation Army believes that active caring for the poor is a natural expression of holiness and is part of our Christian social responsibility. It is a natural expression of being a church. We have a rich history of offering practical help to those who need it most. God has blessed The Salvation Army, and enriched Salvationists who have counted it a privilege to serve the poor.

The Social Issues Committee and The Ethics Centre's Board of Directors have approved a positional statement on poverty and economic justice that says: "We remain committed to The Salvation Army's historic mission to care for the poor and marginalized. Therefore, individually and corporately, we will work to eliminate poverty..."

In the words of Commissioner John Larsson: "Re-calling the Army to its mission to serve the poor is not primarily about establishing better programmes or getting new funding. It is primarily about re-discovering as a burning conviction that the relief of poverty is an essential and inescapable part of our mission."

The mission of The Salvation Army is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in his name without discrimination. We are located in hundreds of communities throughout the world offering a helping hand to those in need.