The Salvation Army is highlighting its work with veterans as the non-profit prepares for its biggest fundraisers of the year. The Salvation Army of North Texas hosted its "Doing the Most Good" luncheon this week.
"We have served service men and women on the front lines for over a hundred years," says Major Carolynn Webb.
The Salvation Army started working with service members during World War One when "Donut Lassies" would deliver coffee and pastries to service members on the front lines "in hopes of brightening their future."
"This is something that is core to the Salvation Army's history of service," Webb says.
She says the organization still maintains close ties with veterans and the largest provider of shelter for homeless veterans in Texas. Webb says the Salvation Army provides shelter but also works with the Department of Veterans Affairs to help people get treatment and address the reason for their homelessness.
"We provide clinical services that address their needs including therapy, psycho-educational and relapse prevention group therapy, life-skills and financial literacy classes," she says.
She says case-management and support services can continue when veterans move into permanent housing to help them maintain a stable income. The Salvation Army also helps veterans at 12 community centers around the Metroplex.
"We are privileged to serve those who served our country," Webb says.
Outside of help for veterans, the Salvation Army is also preparing its Red Kettle and Angel Tree programs.
The organization says it provided 660,619 meals to homeless people last year, both people staying in shelters and in camps. The Salvation Army of North Texas says it also placed 1,836 people into permanent housing and provided addiction recovery services to 500 people.
"These are staggering numbers, but we all know there is more to be done," says Major Rob Webb.
The Salvation Army of North Texas has launched a $212.7 million campaign "to end inter-generational poverty and homelessenss." The organization is building a 21 acre campus. Rob Webb says the campus will serve as a hub to "enhance services" to 31,000 people in Dallas County. He says the facility can provide safe shelter for 4,000 people and prevent or end homelessness for 1,700 others.
"The Salvation Army will help six times more people end their homelessness than we currently do. The campus will quadruple our current capacity for serving families experiencing homelessness," Rob Webb says. "We will connect our clients to critical services right on the campus to mitigate the barriers to their success and help them on a path to self-sufficiency and success for a brighter future."
The Salvation Army of North Texas runs 21 centers. The organization says it runs 12 food pantries, treats 500 people for addiction each week and houses 1,300 at four shelters. More information is available at SalvationArmyNorthTexas.org.