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The Warsaw Corps experiences a change in favor and funding.
The Salvation Army in Poland, part of the Germany and Lithuania Territory, is growing in both numbers and favor with government officials and agencies. Western Territory officers Major Patrick Granat and Captain Kitti Granat serve there as regional officer and Warsaw corps officer, respectively.
“We are experiencing a season of blessing,” said Patrick Granat.
Initially, the Polish government denied the Warsaw Corps’ request for funding to cover the operational expenses for its children’s center for 2012. However, when the Kids’ Klub appeared on the mayor’s list of quality youth programs, the government’s attitude toward the corps and center improved. The Kids’ Klub received 50,000 Zlotys ($15,873) to cover its budget this year.
Since receiving the grant, the children’s center has expanded its programming; it is now open every weekday from 3 to 7 p.m. The grant also makes possible a daily hot meal program and helps pay for the center’s rent, supplies, utilities and staff salaries.
Along with government funding, donations from the community have risen. The Granats hope this increase will lead to a reduction of reliance on support from International Headquarters and eventually bring self-reliance.
A generous Mission Project donation from another Salvation Army territory enabled the Warsaw Corps to purchase a van, which will be used to pick up food from the Warsaw Food Bank and carry young people to activities. One of the corps’ contacts—who owns a horse ranch—offered free rides to the youth and the vehicle will be used for transport. The new van enables transportation in areas where tram lines do not operate.
The Warsaw Bible Society offered The Salvation Army a discounted rate on 20 new Bibles and donated 2,500 gospel tracts to the Army for distribution at the upcoming Euro Cup games in June. The tracts feature a label with a Scripture reference and an Army crest designed in the shape of a flower.
