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KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) When Sean and Caitlyn Bohanon walk through the doors of the Salvation Army in Keene, they’re not just clocking into work—they’re continuing a calling that traces back to their childhood and family history.
The husband-and-wife duo, both recently appointed as lieutenants overseeing the Keene chapter, located in Roxbury Plaza, bring a mix of deep personal ties to the Salvation Army and fresh energy for the future. Caitlyn, a fifth-generation “Salvationist,” has never known life outside the mission of the international Christian nonprofit. Sean, her childhood friend from Hopkinton, was introduced to the organization as a young adult through Caitlyn. Years later, their shared sense of purpose led them into ministry together—and now into leadership of one of Keene’s most wide-reaching, yet often misunderstood, community resources.
More Than Bell-Ringers and Thrift Stores
Many residents associate the Salvation Army with red kettles at Christmas or secondhand shopping, but the Bohanons are quick to point out that the local chapter’s reach goes far deeper.
“We do a shower program Tuesday through Friday from 10 to 1:30,” Sean said, noting that it’s primarily used by people without stable housing. On Saturdays, a free meal program feeds between 20 and 45 people, while the food pantry provides groceries to dozens more families each week. Rental and utility assistance programs also help households stay afloat in emergencies.
Beyond emergency needs, the Keene Salvation Army runs women’s ministries, youth music and arts programs, and a “Kids Club” modeled after scouting groups. “We’re looking to expand our congregation, our outreach into the community, as well as the kids programming,” Caitlyn explained. “We’re really just trying to get more kids in.”
Challenges Beneath the Mission
Keeping these programs alive requires a delicate balance of funding and volunteers. The thrift store helps, and the iconic holiday kettle campaign remains a major revenue source. But in recent years, federal food donations have declined, forcing the chapter to buy more groceries outright.
“The challenge with funding is that with all the legislation going on with the federal funded food programs, we’re seeing less and less food coming in each month,” Sean said. “Funds that would normally go to other programs have to be spent on getting the food.”
That strain makes volunteer support especially vital, particularly during the holiday season when the organization needs people to staff seven kettle locations around the region.
Building Awareness
For the Bohanons, one of the biggest hurdles isn’t just raising money — it’s raising awareness. Even long-time Keene residents are surprised to learn about the breadth of services offered just a few blocks from downtown.
That reaction, Caitlyn said, is exactly why the couple is working hard to put the Salvation Army’s lesser-known programs front and center. They’ve only been in their new roles for about two months, but already they’re planning events to spotlight services, including an upcoming Rally Day and their annual Angel Tree holiday program.
Focused on People, Not Logistics
One unexpected benefit of serving in Keene, the couple said, is that the organization provides housing and a vehicle—logistical support that frees them to focus fully on the work. “It’s nice because it’s things that we don’t have to worry about,” Sean noted. “So we can focus on the people aspect.”
That “people aspect” is what drew both Sean and Caitlyn into ministry, and it continues to shape how they see their mission in Keene. Their hope is simple but ambitious: to expand their congregation, strengthen youth programming, and meet the needs of the city’s most vulnerable residents.
“It all comes back to service,” Caitlyn said. “That’s where we feel called—and that’s where we believe we can make the biggest difference.”
To find out more about the Salvation Army’s programs in Keene, visit