ROSEVILLE, MN (Salvation Army) – Donations made to Salvation Army service centers in North Dakota by Thursday, February 10 will be matched up to $40,000 as part of the Giving Hearts Day 2022 campaign—providing twice the assistance for North Dakotans in need.

Thanks to the generous support of an anonymous donor, each Giving Hearts Day gift will provide food, shelter, spiritual support, and other critical services for twice as many people.

“These last two years have been enormously challenging for The Salvation Army and the people we serve,” said Lt. Colonel Dan Jennings, commander of The Salvation Army Northern Division. “The pandemic is still creating hardship for many thousands of families, now worsened by rising inflation and food shortages. As a result, we still see unprecedented numbers of requests for food and housing assistance.

Salvation Army service centers in its Northern Division (which includes North Dakota) have received requests for assistance at levels not seen in our lifetime—an increase of 127% since 2019, before the pandemic.

In addition, PolicyLink.org reports that there are 12,000 North Dakota families behind in their rent by an average of more than $2,200. “As eviction moratoriums end, we will see a surge in requests for rent and utility assistance,” Jennings said. “That’s why the support provided on Giving Hearts Day is so vitally important in helping North Dakotans avoid losing their homes.”

Giving Hearts Day is North Dakota’s biggest day of the year for charitable giving. To donate to The Salvation Army on Giving Hearts Day, please visit GivingHeartsDay.org between now and February 10 and search for “Salvation Army.” Donors can also drop off a check (with “Giving Hearts Day” on the memo line) to their local Salvation Army no later than Giving Hearts Day, February 10. The Salvation Army has service centers in Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, Minot, Williston and Jamestown.

Last year, the North Dakota Salvation Army raised more than $138,000 on Giving Hearts Day. “We are praying for another successful year, to be able to help everyone coming through our doors,” Jennings added. “We thank and appreciate all the donors for their incredibly generous support.”

Giving Hearts Day is a partnership between the Dakota Medical Foundation and Impact Foundation that benefits nonprofit organizations across the state.