Salvation Army Kroc Center celebrates 10 transformational years in Camden

CAMDEN, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — The Salvation Army Kroc Center in Camden is kicking off an anniversary celebration marking 10 years of serving the community.

The Cramer Hill section of Camden has not been the same since the Kroc Center was built in 2014 on a site that was once a municipal landfill surrounded by blight. Since then, it has become a place where seniors, children, and families can take advantage of their feeding programs, basketball programs, wellness workshops and holiday giveaways to have a few.

The 128,000 square-foot facility has hosted more than 2.5 million visitors, and volunteers have donated more than 125,000 service hours.

Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen says the center has been transformational for the Camden Community.

"This has become an oasis for the community for so many years — a place where families and children come — and it's just about community," said Carstarphen.

"Anytime you have a safe haven that you know you can come to it creates a positive influence , you know we get back to the basics of serving people and that's what it's all about.”

Kroc Center administrator Maj. Richard Sanchez says the Salvation Army has made a significant impact in the community over the past decade.

"And in those 10 years we've had 2.5 million visits in and out. We’ve served over a million pounds of food in those 10 years. We have gone from swimming classes to vaccination programs, after school programs, there's tons of things that people can find here."

Celebrations that are planned to take place into the weekend are designed to honor the community they serve.

"We're going to have concerts, we're going to have a parade, we're going to have the massage chairs out. People will be able to get a tour of the water park, of our eight lane competition pool, of our rock wall, of our gym, of our field outside. It's going to be fun."

There will be a food distribution event on Friday, a gala on Saturday, and a church rededication on Sunday.