SAN ANGELO, TX — After it closed more than five years ago, the Salvation Army will reopen its shelter at 122 W. 2nd St. in San Angelo on Friday, Sept. 27. A short dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at noon, and the community is invited to attend and tour the facility.
Significant repairs and upgrades have been made to the existing building that closed a little over five years ago. The renovated shelter now has the capacity to provide overnight shelter for 71 people – 40 beds for men, 15 for women, plus four family rooms totaling 16 people. The shelter will employ seven staff members including a caseworker, janitor, two cooks, one full-time monitor and two part-time monitors.
“The Salvation Army has faithfully served the community of San Angelo since 1901, and for many years operated an emergency shelter, the only of its kind in Tom Green County. Unfortunately, due to lack of funding and financial support the difficult decision was made in February 2019, to close the shelter,” said Major Alfonso Martinez, Commanding Officer for the Salvation Army in San Angelo. “We are so happy to finally reopen the shelter. It is truly an answer to prayer. The renovated facility will not only provide a safe and secure place for many individuals and families to sleep in the coming months, but we believe it can be the first major step on a path towards self-sufficiency and hope for a brighter future.”
The shelter will be open daily from 5 p.m. - 8 a.m. and will provide breakfast and dinner to overnight guests.
Generous financial support from the San Angelo Area Foundation and the San Angelo Health Foundation has made it possible to reopen the shelter along with donations from Sierra Vista Methodist Church and the Art & Eva Camunez Tucker Foundation. The annual cost to operate the shelter is estimated to be more than $400,000, and the Salvation Army relies on donations from the community, business and community partners, and area foundations to support ongoing operations.
“The Salvation Army works closely with community partners and the city, and the one constant thing we have heard is the need for our shelter to open,” said Martinez. “That day has finally come, but we can’t do this alone. Community support is crucial to keeping the doors open and providing essential programs and services to those who come to us for help. Christmas is just around the corner, and we pray that everyone will dig deep this year when they pass one of our red kettles. Your donations make it possible for us to provide shelter to those experiencing homelessness, a meal to the hungry, and hope to the hopeless.”
Individual and group volunteer opportunities are available at the Salvation Army shelter.
In-kind donations are also welcome to support operations at the Salvation Army shelter. If you are interested in donating hygiene items, cleaning products, laundry detergent, pillows, towels or bedding, please contact the Salvation Army at 325-655-6981 or visit the office at 34 W. 3rd St. For more information about the Salvation Army and its programs, please visit www.salvationarmysanangelo.org.
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army annually helps nearly 24 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction, and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at nearly 7,000 centers of operation around the country. For more information, visit SalvationArmyUSA.org. Follow us on X @SalvationArmyUS and #DoingTheMostGood.
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