(July 22, 2005 - Tampa, FL) – The Salvation Army seeks donations to help the needy and destitute in our community this summer. Donations made to The Salvation Army Tampa Area Command through Aug. 31 will be matched by Tampa-based Amscot Financial, up to a total of $10,000.

“As a result of increased need and the traditionally lower levels of giving during summer months, we find our supplies and reserves running low during this critical time,” said Major Rick Mikles, Tampa Area Commander for The Salvation Army.

According to Major Mikles, summers are particularly difficult for low-income families, whose food budgets are already stretched to the breaking point, when their children aren’t receiving free school lunches. Seniors on fixed incomes and seasonal visitors also struggle during the summer months, swelling the ranks of those who need food, clothing, shelter and counseling year-round, including more than 11,000 homeless men, women and children; the chronically unemployed; and the psychologically impaired.

“We are very grateful to Amscot Financial for recognizing the tremendous need that exists, for making this generous gift, and for encouraging others in the community to help those served by The Salvation Army,” added Mikles. “We hope others will take advantage of this unusual opportunity to have their gifts matched.”

“Amscot Financial is delighted to provide this support with the full knowledge that these funds will be efficiently used to help folks in times of their greatest need,” said Ian MacKechnie, CEO and President of Amscot Financial, and a member of The Salvation Army Advisory Board. “Peter Drucker called The Salvation Army ‘by far the most effective organization in the U.S.’ That’s what gives us confidence that our gift will be well spent and why we would encourage others to help the Salvation Army in this fund drive.”

To make a donation to The Salvation Army, send a check or money order in an envelope addressed to: The Salvation Army “Summer Relief,” P.O. Box 2839, Tampa, FL 33601, or call Moira Hinson at 813-226-0055, ext. 260. All donations are tax deductible.

Since 1893, The Salvation Army Tampa Area Command has provided food, shelter, long-term transitional housing programs and counseling to those in need. Programs are designed to help struggling men, women and children overcome challenges to regain their self-sufficiency. The Salvation Army actively provides social service and spiritual assistance to the needy in 109 countries, and has been recognized as one of the world’s most efficient and effective charities by Forbes Magazine, The Chronicle of Philanthropy and Booz Allen Hamilton consulting firm, among others.

Headquartered in Tampa, FL., Amscot Financial is a leading provider of income tax preparation and electronic filing services, refund anticipation loans, check cashing services, cash advance services, money transfer services and money orders through its wholly owned division, Amscot International Money Order Company. Amscot Financial currently operates 89 tax preparation offices and 89 retail financial service centers throughout Florida and employs more than 1,500 people. For additional information, please visit the company's website at www.amscotfinancial.com.