COVID-19 is forcing most companies and organizations to operate in uncharted territories.

For example, The Tamaqua Salvation Army is proactively seeking ways to continue to help the community. “The curve ball we’re faced with, and all of the providers of these kinds of services in the community, is that we cannot do it on site,” said commanding officer Capt. John Luby. “There’s no instruction manual or book. But I think we’re all going through some changes.”

Luby mentioned that a productive division meeting was held earlier this week to discuss the current circumstances.

“We talked about the ways that we have to adapt; our provision of services. … We spent a good part of the day talking to a number of people in the community, including the superintendent of the school board. We’re trying to find ways to work with everyone to help the kids.”

Luby and the Salvation Army want to help the seniors in town get the goods or groceries that they need. His plan is to try to implement a shuttle service to Boyer’s Food Market.

“We know that there are a lot of seniors in the towers and the Majestic that are either wheelchair-bound, or don’t feel comfortable walking. We’re going to work with them. … We’ll get you in, let you do your shopping and take you back. And if you happen to be wheelchair or walker-bound, they can maybe give us their shopping list, and we’ll take care of meeting that little list.”

Additionally, the Salvation Army will hold its Sunday services remotely Sunday on Facebook Live at 11 a.m.