NEVADA, Iowa – The Salvation Army of Ames needs more employees, and due to the demand for its shelter and pantry programs, it could use more volunteers, too.

Service Center Administrator Kathy Pinkerton presented the Story County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday with an annual report about the Salvation Army, which receives funding from the county. The pantry remains the service center’s most-used program.

Beginning in July, the Salvation Army will receive funds for rent and utility assistance.

“It’s a lot cheaper to assist people staying in their home than it is putting them in hotels, even going to the shelter,” Pinkerton said. “It just takes a lot of money to get somebody rehoused.”

One of the center’s freezers recently broke down, and Pinkerton said it is cheaper to replace than repair. Because the Salvation Army keeps food out of landfills through its pantry, it submitted a grant for funding through the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

In other business

The board approved final plans for Story County Conservation’s improvements to the beach at Hickory Grove Park near Colo. The plans include improved water quality at the beach and better accessibility with access up and down the steep hills, a fishing pier, boat launch and universal design for new buildings.

The board approved renovations to the Emergency Management Operations Center ($182,000), which includes removing a wall in the center’s basement.

The board approved a Solid Waste Alternatives Program grant application ($7,125) to purchase 10 containers for future recycling dropoff locations in Story County communities. The grant application, which is through the Iowa DNR, is due July 1.

The supervisors will meet again at 10 a.m. Tuesday in the Story County Administration Building at 900 Sixth St. in Nevada.