The Salvation Army of Broward County
Since 1926
The Salvation Army has been active in Broward County since 1926, working to fulfill our mission of “meeting human needs in His name without discrimination”. Lauderdale pioneer Ivy Stranahan was active in the formation of The Salvation Army in Broward County and was one of the original board members. Over the past 94 years, our work has had many expressions in the community, always aimed at helping the poorest and those most in need. As society’s need change, The Salvation Army has the ability to respond locally to shape and modify our services to meet the needs of the local community.
Our organization provides housing to 44 families with children and 125 single men and women experiencing homelessness at any given time. Besides housing and meals, the program provides supportive services including case management, life skills classes, and employability skills training.
In addition to working with people experiencing homelessness, The Salvation Army provides enriching educational programs to children and teens, recreation and education programs to seniors and emergency rent, utilities, and food assistance to needy people in our community. Those experiencing generational poverty partake in an 18 week Getting Ahead group aimed at helping participants identify, build, and leverage resources to build economic stability. Special holiday activities and emergency disaster services round out the agency’s programs.
To learn more about us, or schedule a tour of our facility, contact Joshua Myers, Director of Development, at 954-712-2431.
Soon after beginning his ministerial career in England in 1852, William Booth abandoned the concept of the traditional church pulpit in favor of taking the gospel of Jesus Christ directly to the people. Walking the streets of London, he preached to the poor, the homeless, the hungry, and the destitute.
Community Feeding – The Salvation Army opens its doors for dinner 6 days a week to anyone who is in need. Dinner is served at 4:15pm Friday through Wednesday.
Food Pantry – This program provides non-perishable grocery items and fresh produce to residents in need in Broward County. The pantry is open every Thursday from 9:00am-12:00pm.
Rent & Mortgage Assistance – Provides assistance with one-month payment of rent or mortgage to prevent households from becoming homeless. For more information and to apply for the program please call 954-524-6991.
Disaster Services – The Salvation Army assists the community during times of disaster, both man-made and natural. The Army assists both regionally and locally.
Application Process
To apply to become a volunteer, please download the volunteer application onto your computer, print and fill out all fillable entries and mail it to our administrative offices.
You may also fill out an application at our administrative offices – 1445 W. Broward Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
The Volunteer Coordinator will review your application. If you meet the basic requirements, she will contact you to set up an interview.
If you have additional questions regarding out volunteer program, or need additional information please call 954-712-2435.
Kitchen
Volunteers help to prepare and serve meals to individuals and families living in our shelter, along with other kitchen tasks. Currently there is a great need volunteers daily with a morning shift at 8:00am – 12:00pm. There are also volunteers needed between 3pm-7pm as each day we have community feeding, which provides meals to anyone in the community beginning at 4PM.
Food Pantry
Volunteers stock, sort, bag, and distribute non-perishable and perishable items for county residents in need of assistance. We currently need volunteers to help in the food pantry Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:00AM – 12:30PM.
Disaster Relief
Volunteers are needed to assist the public during times of disaster, both locally and regionally. Advance training is required. To learn more about our disaster services, please click here. (The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services (salvationarmyusa.org)
Child Care Volunteers
Volunteers are needed to help teach children living in our shelter various activities while their parents are attending life skill classes. Classes are scheduled on weekday evenings in Fort Lauderdale. All childcare volunteers must be 18 or older and successfully pass a background check along with fingerprints.
Life Skills Classes
Volunteers teach life skills to clients in evening classes ranging from computer skills to knitting. This is a great opportunity to use your talents to help others. Creativity is highly encouraged, so if you have an idea for a class, please let us know! With the opening of our apartment facilities at Plymouth Colony, we are especially interested in finding instructors for classes in nutrition and general homemaking skills.
Maintenance Workers
Volunteers assist our maintenance staff in general upkeep of our facilities. Hours are anytime Monday-Friday.
Product Drive Coordinators
Volunteers coordinate various product drives through their school, church, or neighborhood to be donated to our shelter. Examples of drives include food, toiletries, and baby care items. All items collected and donated will go to the thousands of individuals and families we help right here in Broward County.
Red Kettle Volunteer
Volunteer to be a bell ringer at one of our many locations across Broward County. The Kettle season starts early November and runs until Christmas eve each Year. This is a great opportunity for groups and volunteers needing community service hours. For more information email our Volunteer Coordinator and let her know you are interested in being a bellringer. Recruitment is all year long!
Angel Tree Volunteer
Our Angel Tree program exists to provide Christmas gifts to underserved Broward County youth. Each year we provide gifts for over 1,500 families and rely on volunteers to help us serve as many households as possible.
Mall Volunteer: Volunteers are needed to staff our mall Angel Trees. Volunteers aid the public in "adopting" angels and collecting gifts. The gifts collected through our Angel Trees help The Salvation Army distribute over 6,000 gifts to 3,000 underprivileged children throughout Broward County. The Angel Tree program runs late November through mid-December at the following malls: Westfield Broward, Galleria Fort Lauderdale, and Pembroke Lakes.
Toy Shop Volunteer: Volunteers sort and package toys for each child adopted at our Angel Trees and prepare the toys for distribution. This position requires a lot of mobility and some lifting, but in exchange for some sweat, you get to feel like you work at the North Pole!
Distribution Day Volunteer: Volunteers are needed to help distribute gifts to those families in need. Come see the joy on families' faces as they realize they will be able to provide Christmas gifts to their children.
Fundraising
Volunteers work with the Development Director to generate ideas, plan and manage special fundraising events throughout the year. This opportunity requires a strong familiarity with the community and its resources, as well as a continuous time commitment. If you are interested in this opportunity contact Joshua Myers directly at Joshua.Myers@uss.salvationarmy.org.
***Please note: All volunteers working directly with children will be subject to a background check.
The Salvation Army in Broward County is Community Based, Community Funded. Your donation will help The Salvation Army shelter the homeless, feed the hungry and provide emergency assistance to keep people from becoming homeless. In all, we serve over 15,000 Broward County residents every year in a multitude of ways. More than 70% of The Salvation Army, Broward County’s funding comes directly from the community – individuals, groups, and businesses like yours. Every gift to The Salvation Army has a direct impact on transforming lives of people who are hurting and in need. Person by person, we are creating a lasting, positive change in the lives of men, women and children in our community. The Salvation Army depends on the support and generosity of individuals, foundations, and businesses to help thousands of individuals and families every year.
Contribute:
The funds raised are used in your local community where the needs are the greatest. You can also become a Monthly Sustainer or give an Honor/Memorial gift.
To donate by phone, please call 954-524-6991 and ask to make a donation over the phone. We accept all major credit cards.
To donate by mail, The Salvation Army P.O. Box 230, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33302-0230
To donate through our website, please visit SalvationArmyFortLauderdale.org.
Homeless Supplies for Broward County:
More people than ever in our community are struggling to make ends meet which leads to homelessness.
Help us provide the necessities from clothing to personal care kits for those who come to our shelter with nothing.
Shop our Walmart Registry for Good
Donate Goods:
When you donate goods to The Salvation Army, those items are then sold at our Family Stores. And the proceeds are used to fund our Adult Rehabilitation Centers, where those struggling with drugs and alcohol find help, hope, and a second chance at life.
Call 1-800-SA-TRUCK (1-800-728-7825) or visit satruck.org to schedule a pick-up and find the location near you.
Donate Nonperishable Food Items:
Each week hundreds of individuals line up for our food pantry. Since COVID19 many individuals have found it more difficult to provide food for their families. We rely on donations to keep our food pantry open to those most vulnerable. Help us continue to serve the community. Drop off canned goods and other nonperishable items today.
Kettle Krush 5K
A community fundraising event where participants complete our 5K course to raise money for our programs.
Click Here to register
Red Shield Redesign Bash
Redesigners will show off their unique skills and donate a repurposed, reimagined, or redesigned piece for auction. Proceeds from the event and auction support our shelter, feeding, and social services programs.
National Donut Day
The Salvation Army of Broward County, together with Dunkin’, will celebrate National Donut Day on June 3, the sweetest day of the year, by honoring local public servants, first responders and healthcare workers.
Angel Tree
The Salvation Army helps put new clothes and toys under the tree for 1 million children across the United States who usually have to go without Christmas gifts. Anonymous donors adopt these little “angels” in an expanding Christmas tradition that makes the season brighter for both the gift giver and receiver.
Stuff the Bus
Did you know that The Salvation Army sees an increase in need every September? That’s partly because family finances are strained every year by the expense of providing backpacks, pens, pencils, notebooks, glue sticks, and other basic back to school items. Parents then have to make unfair choices like paying for school supplies or groceries, the electric bill or car insurance.
FPL Project Share
NewsFPL Project Share’s updated guidelines allow more customers in Northwest Florida to get bill assistance through The Salvation Army