With temperatures dipping below freezing at night and The Chattanooga Community Kitchen at capacity, The Salvation Army is asked to open its doors once again for overnight emergency shelter for the homeless this weekend, and into next week Shelter will open each evening at 6 p.m. The ReCreate Café, The Salvation Army's Day Center at 800 McCallie Ave., is busy preparing to serve those in need throughout the frigid nights and during its normal hours during the day. The day shelter will also open ON Saturday, since temperatures will be below freezing during the day.
The Salvation Army and The Chattanooga Community Kitchen, have been communicating on Friday relaying the increase demand of services due to the colder temperatures. The Salvation Army has agreed to take an additional 50 guests to help offset their high guest count.
"Our goal is to partner with other agencies to keep people safe and warm with these low temperatures setting in," said Major Robert Lyle, Chattanooga Salvation Army Area commander. "We need monetary donations since shelter is not budgeted and need coffee, creamer and travel-size toiletry items for the shelter. Also, our supply of new heaters for low-income home owners has been depleted."
Volunteers are needed to help serve in the shelter. For volunteer information, email Alissa.Best@uss.salvationarmy.org, or call 423 505-9747 .
Monetary donations are welcomed for those experiencing high utility bills that come from having to keep temperatures warmer in their homes. Donations of coffee, toiletries, new heaters or money are being accepted at The Salvation Army, 822 McCallie Ave., Chattanooga, Tn. 37403. Monetary donations can also be made online at www.csarmy.org , by calling 1-800-Sal-Army. For additional information, please call The Salvation Army at 423 756-1023.