DOING THE MOST GOOD®

Gainesville

HELP THOSE MOST IN NEED IN YOUR COMMUNITY ALL YEAR LONG

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Office Information

Administrative Office Location:
639 E. University Ave.
Gainesville, Florida

Phone number:
352-376-1743

Administrative Office Hours:
Monday-Thursday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm, closed for lunch from 12:00pm-1:00pm.
(closed on holidays)

If you prefer, you could send us a message. We'll do our best to get back to you as soon as possible.

Our Local Leadership

Majors Hank and Eunice Harwell

Majors Hank and Eunice Harwell were installed as the newest Corps Officers in Gainesville, Florida, succeeding Captain Tabitha and Lieutenant Daimion Roberts.

Major Hank Harwell was born the child of Salvation Army parents in Littlefield, Texas. He graduated High School in Texarkana Texas and attended the University of North Texas in Denton, where he majored in Radio, Television and Film Production. After five years of working for The Salvation Army’s video production unit, the Office of Media Ministries, he left his native land and entered The Salvation Army’s College for Officer Training in Atlanta, Georgia. There he met his wife Eunice.

Major Eunice Harwell is a seventh generation Salvationist. Eunice was born in Florence, Alabama, but considers Atlanta, Georgia, to be home. Eunice attended Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a major in Social Work, and a minor in Sociology. After college, she worked as an employee with The Salvation Army holding many different social work positions including Director of Social Services for the Florida Division, Family Services Director for the Prince Georges Corps in Upper Marlboro, Md., Youth Shelter Director in Atlanta, Ga., and Asst. to the Director of Senior Citizens Centers in Oklahoma City, Okla. For a time, Eunice even worked for a company in Atlanta that planned and produced special events and parties.

They were married in September of 1992.

Lieutenants Harwell were commissioned by then-General Paul Rader in 1995 and appointed to Statesville, North Carolina, where they served for four years before being appointed to the Concord, North Carolina operations of The Salvation Army in 1999. In 2003, they were appointed to Beaufort, South Carolina. They served there until 2006 when Captain Harwell was returned to Texas, to serve in Lufkin.

From Lufkin, they were appointed to the Texas Divisional Headquarters where he served as the Divisional Finance Officer and she served first as the Assistant Women’s Ministries Secretary and later as the Community Care Ministries Secretary. In 2010, they were appointed to the Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi Divisional Headquarters where Major Hank served as the Divisional Secretary, overseeing Property, HR, IT, Family Stores, Men’s Ministries and Disaster Services for the three-state area. Major Eunice was the Assistant Women’s Ministries Secretary and Social and Ethical Ministries Director for the Division.

In 2014, they were appointed to assume command of the corps in Harrisonburg, Virginia, which is located in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. They have served there until June 2017, when they were assigned to oversee Salvation Army operations here in Gainesville, Florida.

If you will like to speak with Major Hank & Eunice Harwell please give us a call at 352-376-1743.

After-School

After-school Program

Our After-school/Homework Club is a Christian based enrichment program that offers leadership development, tutoring with homework time, and enrichment activities.

Our program also incorporates off-site trips in alignment with our enriching activities to local attractions in the Gainesville area for our kids to have fun and build skills for everyday life!

If you have any question, please send us a message

Christmas Assistance

The Salvation Army Angel Tree program is a need-based program for children ages 0 to 12 years old in Gainesville and Alachua County.

With the help of numerous business partners and generous members of our community, The Salvation Army provides gifts to hundreds of children each year.

UPDATE: Registration is closed for Alachua County. We are currently at capacity for the 2020 Angel Tree program.

2020 Angel Tree Registration

Due to Covid-19,

2020 Angel Tree Registration will be online.

The online registrations will open on Monday, October 5 at 10 am.

Please be advised, the link will be accessible from

October 5 until October 26 (or until capacity is reached).

We strongly encourage you to apply early due to high demand.

Please have the following documents/information ready for the online application:

If you receive Food Stamps,
1) Photo I.D. for the Head of Household
2) Birth Certificates for children 12 years and under if you are not the biological parent, proof of Legal Guardianship showing their date of birth)
3) Current Utility Bill (to verify your physical address)
4) Letter of your SNAP - Food Stamps benefits (children should be listed on your case)
5) Gift suggestions (Please note: The Salvation Army does not guarantee the quantity or quality of gifts you may receive; all gifts are purchased at the discretion of sponsors. It is ideal to keep all suggestions under $50)

If you do NOT receive Food Stamps,
1) Photo I.D. for the Head of Household
2) Birth Certificates for children 12 years and under (if you are not the biological parent, proof of Legal Guardianship showing their date of birth)
3) Current Utility Bill (to verify your physical address)
4) Proof of income (2 last paystubs for adults living at home, SSI letter, Child Support Letter, etc.)
5) Gift suggestions (Please note: The Salvation Army does not guarantee the quantity or quality of gifts you may receive; all gifts are purchased at the discretion of sponsors. It is ideal to keep all suggestions under $50)

The Salvation Army is seeking local businesses, churches, small groups, and civic organizations to join the Corporate Angel Tree program.

If you or someone you know is interested in adopting Angels, please send us a message.

We will get back to you within 1 business day.

Thank you.

We appreciate you!

Social Services

Food Pantry: Monday through Thursday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm (or while supplies last)
Clothing Voucher: Monday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Bread & Sweets: Wednesday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm (or while supplies last)
Utility Assistance: please read the instructions and then complete the submission form below (We recommend submitting the pre-screening form from a computer not a phone)

Important:

Before any appointment is scheduled, our caseworker will spend time analyzing each applicant’s pre-screening form. This can be a time-consuming process, as each client is evaluated on an individual basis.
If your pre-screening form (available below) is accepted and marked as pre-qualified, we will call or email you to schedule an appointment.
When we marked your application as "pre-qualified", that does NOT guarantee the approval of your Utility Assistance Application.
If you arrive late or miss your appointment, we will cancel the appointment.
If you fail to bring all the documents required, we will cancel the appointment.

We recommend submitting the pre-screening form from a computer not a phone.

Kindly note, we only serve residents of Alachua County.

Worship Services

Looking for a church? Worship with us!

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

Location: 639 E. University Avenue
Sunday School: 10:00am
Sunday Worship: 11:00 am

Ministry Groups:
*Women’s Home League: Tuesday 10:30 am-12:30 pm
*Men’s Groups: please check back later for more information

Virtual Worship Services can be found on our YouTube channel.

Family Store Information

The Salvation Army

Family Store’s Reopening Plans

Our Store Hours:

Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm

We’re located at:

55 NW 23rd Ave. Gainesville, FL. 32609

Donation Drop-off Information:

Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM (open weather permitting).

Donated goods can be dropped off at our Donation Center. Please remember that all donations must be in good and working condition whether new or gently used.

For a list of most common items we must turn away, please visit our Store Donation Information.

Donation Pick-up Information:

Our truck runs from Wednesday through Saturday (weather permitting).

Please remember that all donations must be in good and working condition whether new or gently used.

For a list of most common items we must turn away, please visit our Store Donation Information.

Store Donation Information

Donation Pick-up Information:

Our Truck runs from Wednesday through Saturday.

Please remember that all donations must be in good and working condition whether new or gently used.

We offer Free Pick-up for large furniture and large appliances (clothes, shoes, household items, and other small items would need to be a drop-off at our Donation Center).

Unfortunately, we can’t accept all donated goods. This decision is based on the cost of collecting and processing our donations and, accordingly with the guidelines we must follow.

It’s very important for us to share with you why we can’t accept them and to provide you with a list including some of the most common items we must turn away.

Therefore, we recommend reading all the helpful information included in this page.

Why our store can’t accept all donations?

The Salvation Army understands that it can be frustrating for you to bring your items to our store, only to discover that we cannot accept it. Please, rest assured that The Salvation Army is not trying to ruin your day.

We have strict rules to follow. Oftentimes, federal inspectors stop by our stores to make sure we aren’t selling donated items that are hazardous, have been recalled, or violate a long list of other government rules concerning the reselling of used goods.

Also, if we accept items that we’re not allowed to sell or we can’t sell, the store must pay a fee to dispose of it.

Thankfully, the list of items that our store accept is much longer than the list of items we don't.

Here are some of the most common items we must turn away:

*Furniture with rips, missing pieces, deep scratches, broken pieces, stains, odors or pet hair
*Appliances older than 5 years and built-in appliances such as ovens and dishwashers
*Appliances that are not in working condition
*Stained Mattresses and box springs
*Baby items such as car seats and high chairs (baby clothes are accepted and in great need)
*Tube, console, projection TVs, TVs older than 5 years (we only accept Flat Screen TVs)
*Copy machine, Fax
*Gas stove, Gas Dryer
*Paint, Chemicals
*Oil lamps
*Hospital beds
*Water bed
*Water Heater
*Pipe Organ, Pipe Church or any kind of Organ (we accept Pianos in some rare occasions)

Benefits of donating to The Salvation Army:

In addition to helping your community, your donations are tax-deductible.
To help you determine the approximate tax-deductible value of some of the more commonly donated items please see our Donation Value Guide. It includes low and high estimates. Please choose a value within this range that reflects your item’s relative age and quality.
The Salvation Army does not set a valuation on your donation. It’s up to you to assign a value to your item. For professional advice, please consult your tax advisor.

If you would like to request a Donation Pick-up:

Please call 352-376-1743

Adopt an Angel

Adopt An Angel

The Salvation Army is seeking local businesses, churches, small groups, and civic organizations to join the Corporate Angel Tree program.

If you or someone you know is interested in adopting Angels, please send us a message.

We will get back to you within 1 business day.

Thank you.

We appreciate you!

Kettle Kickoff 2020

NELLIE | The first female member of the LAPD

News, Womens Ministry

A page from the Los Angeles Herald newspaper announcing Capt. Nellie Truelove’s commission as a member of the LAPD On March 4, 1903 the Los Angeles Herald newspaper reported that Salvation Army Captain Nellie Truelove would be the first woman “to be given a right to wear the nickel star and swing the black club of police authority.”

March 28, 2021/by Lindsay

February 26, 2021

THE SALVATION ARMY ORLANDO FREE FOOD DISTRIBUTION

February 22, 2021

Salvation Army teams up with Pit Stop to help pay car repair costs

food, covid relief, help, assistance, orlando, salvation army

January 28, 2021

The Salvation Army Resume Weekly Food Distributions

January 6, 2021

Sarasota County Welcomes Lt. Colonels Michele and Ward Matthews as New Area Commanders

December 4, 2020

Reaching New Heights to #Rescue Christmas

There’s Another Way To Give

Donate Your Vehicle

AVOID THE HASSLES OF SELLING OR REPAIRING
YOUR VEHICLE ALTOGETHER WHEN YOU DONATE IT

Donate Now

The Salvation Army Mission Statement

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

The Salvation Army | Florida Divisional Headquarters

5631 Van Dyke Road. Lutz, Florida 33558 | 1-(813) 962-6611

DOING THE MOST GOOD®

Gainesville

HELP THOSE MOST IN NEED IN YOUR COMMUNITY ALL YEAR LONG

Prayer Requests

After-school Program

Thank you for considering becoming a volunteer with us at

The Salvation Army in Gainesville, Florida.

The Salvation Army

Family Store’s Reopening Plans

Our Store Hours:

Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm

Donation Drop-off Information:

Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM (open weather permitting).

Donation Pick-up Information:

Our truck runs from Wednesday through Saturday (weather permitting).

Adopt An Angel

Contact The Salvation Army | Florida Division

Donate Your Vehicle

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The Salvation Army Mission Statement

The Salvation Army | Florida Divisional Headquarters