The Women's Auxiliary is organized to promote the purposes of a particular headquarters, institution or program of The Salvation Army. Its activities may include special fund-raising through approved projects, furnishing volunteer workers, assistance in hospitals, operation of canteens, distribution of food and clothing, staffing of emergency shelters, leadership in group work, visitation of hospital patients, and many other activities. A women's auxiliary may relate directly to the advisory board or to an advisory council depending upon its function. In certain communities where there is more than one women's auxiliary, there may be a federation of women's auxiliaries to coordinate their work.