We would like to congratulate the Salvation Army on its 20th anniversary of serving Jefferson City with the Center of Hope.
On Wednesday, we reported a small crowd gathered in the shelter’s dining room to mark the occasion.
Mayor Carrie Tergin read a proclamation recognizing the important work done at the site. She said the Salvation Army’s ministry is motivated by the love of God. She said its founder, William Booth, in 1865 wanted to lead the poor, homeless, hungry and destitute to Christ.
The Salvation Army describes its Center of Hope & Family Shelters programs as being designed to provide food and emergency or transitional housing to men, women or families in need. Underlying this program is a motivation to identify the causes of homelessness and work to alleviate or eliminate homelessness at its source.
While the Center of Hope itself has existed for 20 years, the Salvation Army has provided shelter in Jefferson City for about 80 years in various ways, said Maj. Jack Holloway, the Salvation Army’s business administrator for the area.
“In this particular building, we have a 31-bed shelter, but also, our social services for the community are here,” Holloway said. “We’re serving several hundred families every month. It’s very significant.”
Built 20 years ago,the facility serves as a shelter, kitchen and pantry, and site for social service and housing programs.
It has provided 256,000 “bed nights” (when a person is sheltered in the center overnight), and 680,000 meals.
All that use has caused extensive wear on the facility, and the Salvation Army is seeking funding for repairs. At some point down the road, it may embark on a capital campaign to update and expand the center. If and when that occurs, we hope the community will consider donating.
For now, however, we simply would like to thank the Salvation Army for 20 years of operating what has become Jefferson City’s primary shelter for the needy.
News Tribune