New Salvation Army leaders here, Steve and Mary Welch, both of whom hold the rank of major, were introduced to members of The Rotary Club of Vicksburg at its meeting Thursday.

Rotary past president Pat Cashman introduced the Welches, who recently relocated to Vicksburg from Selma, Alabama, in order to serve the community through the Salvation Army.

They replace Capt. Srikant Bhatnagar and his wife, Indrani, who oversaw the Salvation Army program in Vicksburg for five years. The Salvation Army relocated the Bhatnagars to Washington, D.C. Their last day here was June 19.

“We’re still trying to gauge what the community needs,” Steve Welch told Rotarians. “We are pretty seriously considering opening up the store again.”

The store run by the Salvation Army is only open on the first and third Friday of each month, he said, and is operated much like a rummage sale.

Welch said his plan would be to open the store Monday through Saturday for about five hours each day.

Welch said the Salvation Army Auxiliary was busy Thursday and Friday handing out 300 book bags filled with school supplies to community children in need.

Mary Welch reminded Rotarians the Salvation Army Auxiliary’s 37th annual soup and sandwich luncheon and silent auction is Oct. 11. Tickets are available from auxiliary members, she said.

“We’re looking forward to working here with youth and are trying to feel it out to see what direction we need to go in,” Mary Welch said. “We want to help this community.”

Steve Welch grew up in Michigan and northern Indiana to parents who also worked with the Salvation Army. Mary Welch grew up in Florida and became involved with the Salvation Army at age 14. They are the parents of three grown children.

In other business, Rotarians applauded member Stan Kline, who was introduced by Rotary Foundation committee chair Linda Fondren as a five time Paul Harris Fellow, the highest honor among Rotarians. The Paul Harris Fellow recognized those who contribute or have contributed in their name, in the amount of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.