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.
HOW WE MEET LOCAL NEEDS
Assess the Need
FIRST, we assess the needs of each community in which we serve. We work to understand the obstacles, hardships, and challenges native to the area’s particular population.
Build the Programs
NEXT, we build local programs designed to offer immediate relief, short-term care, and long-term growth in the areas that will best benefit the community.
Invest in the Community
THEN, we offer the local programs to the local community, working to continually optimize their efficacy via spiritual, physical, and emotional service.
Shelter for the homeless, food for the hungry, and clothing for the poor provided with care and compassion is what The Salvation Army does best. We believe that lives can be changed for the better and we minister tirelessly to that end. Learn more about our homeless and social services here.
Towers Center of Hope
At the Towers Center of Hope we provide housing for single women and families, and transitional housing for men. We seek to provide a safe and stabilizing environment to help get people back on their feet. Both shelters are located in our Social Services building at 900 W. Adams Street in downtown Jacksonville.
Seeking Shelter?
Call our social services office at 904-356-8641 for information on availability and rates. Our friendly staff will be happy to help you.
Our shelter is located at:
900 West Adams St
Jacksonville, FL 32204
Towers Center of Hope housing for men
We are pleased to offer a newly renovated housing facility at our 900 W. Adams Street location in downtown Jacksonville. The entire second floor of the facility has been completely renovated for a new purpose: providing housing for men seeking a fresh start after homelessness, addiction recovery, and for young men aging out of the foster care system. Each of these populations often encounters limited options for housing as they seek to become self-sufficient, and tend to be vulnerable to the cycle of homelessness and addiction. The new Towers Center of Hope could be considered an example of the “housing first” philosophy, which advocates for establishing a stable and affordable housing situation for those on their way out of homelessness or recovery. This gives them a critical opportunity to save money and get securely back on their feet. The Salvation Army’s Towers Center of Hope will also provide residents access to additional tools to make improvements in their lives to increase their odds of success, such as the on-site availability of case managers, and including hot meals and all utilities in the already low cost of living at the facility.
Monthly Fees for Single Men:
- Dorm Room, Shared Bathroom: 375.00
- Semi-Private Room, Shared Bathroom: 475.00
- Private Room, Shared Bathroom: 550.00
- Private Room, Private Bathroom: 600.00
Red Shield Lodge shelter for single women and families
Families who have shelter needs can remain together while receiving short or long-term shelter care at the Red Shield Lodge. Families can stay at the shelter for a month at no charge. After a month, fees are based on income, and three meals per day are included. Single women can stay at the shelter for up to eight nights at no charge. The cost after eight nights is $10 per day and includes three meals per day. Integrated case management services are provided to assist with life skills, referral service assistance, job preparation and placement, advocacy, and housing.
Pathway of Hope Program
The Salvation Army’s Pathway of Hope initiative provides individualized services to families with children who desire to take action to break the cycle of crisis and vulnerability that repeats generation after generation. It seeks to address the root causes of poverty in addition to The Army’s history of compassionate serving. By helping families overcome challenges like unemployment, unstable housing, and lack of education, we can lead families down a path toward increased stability and, ultimately, self-sufficiency.
For more information about the facility or to find out about our rates and available rooms, please contact: The Salvation Army Social Services Center at 904-356-8641
Meal Ministry and Food Pantry
*The Towers Center of Hope Food Pantry will be closed from Monday, March 15th to Friday, March 19th due to warehouse renovations that share the building with the food pantry.*
Volunteering for our Meal Ministry is highly rewarding, and we welcome individuals and groups of any size to join us in serving.
Meal Ministry
900 W. Adams Street, Downtown Jacksonville
Dinner for unsheltered homeless persons and the working poor occurs every night of the year at 6pm, and on Sunday mornings at 8:30am in the dining room of the Towers Center of Hope at 900 W. Adams Street in Downtown Jacksonville. The line forms at 5:30pm at the gate on the Davis Street side of the building.
Our Meal Ministry is staffed through volunteers from churches, civic groups, local businesses, families and individuals who want to give back to the community. We'd love to have your help!
“I’m so thankful for the good, nutritious staples they give me – it’s food I can actually use to feed my family.” - Ms. Turner, a client at our Food Pantry
Food Pantry
140 N. Davis Street, Downtown Jacksonville
Our food pantry provides about 250 income-eligible households per week with supplemental groceries. It operates out of the warehouse of our Social Services building at 140 N. Davis Street in downtown Jacksonville (adjacent to the Towers Center of Hope), and is open Monday through Friday from 9am - noon, subject to food supply.
What to bring the first time you seek food pantry assistance:
To receive assistance you must have one item from each category. Identity must be proven for all members of the household (a household includes all those living in the house, even if you are not related. If you are living together, you must apply for food assistance as one household).
Required by all:
- Picture ID for all adults in household
- Birth certificates for all children
- Verification of all household income (wages, AFDC, Social Security benefits, SSI or SSDI,
- unemployment benefits, child support, etc.)
- Proof of residency (lease or deed)
- Verification of all household expenses (utilities bill, car note, medication receipts, etc.)
Required if applicable:
- Food Stamp benefit statement
- If you are living with family/friends and you are not on the lease, you must present a letter from the person on the lease that states they allow you to live with them (include the address) and bring the lease with their name on it.
Other Services
At The Salvation Army, our greatest hope for each of our clients is to see them succeed. To that end, we provide personalized life skills assistance to the residents of our shelters.
Life Skills Assistance
This program helps our shelter residents get back on their feet with job preparation and placement, budgeting, transitional housing, debt relief counseling and educational programs. Each training program is tailored to the person’s individual needs and comprehensive case-management services are provided.
Rent and Utility Assistance
When funds are available, we provide help to assist individuals in financial crises. To inquire about fund availability, call our Social Services office at 904-356-8641.
Thanksgiving Food Bags
No Thanksgiving would be complete without a special meal. We provide enough food for a complete holiday meal, including a whole chicken or turkey and assorted canned and dry goods to income-eligible families.
Angel Tree / Toy Shop
When families struggle to make ends meet, Christmas can place a burden on parents who can't afford presents for their kids. Our Angel Tree program provides toys, clothing and stockings for children up to twelve years of age at Christmas. Gifts are donated by local individuals, families, churches and other organizations at “Angel Trees” throughout the community and distributed at the Toy Shop shortly before Christmas.
Camp Keystone
Each summer, at-risk children from low-income families in the community enjoy a week-long, overnight camping experience at beautiful Camp Keystone in Keystone Heights, Florida. It's a fun-filled week of play, rest, and spiritual enrichment.
Disaster Services
Click here to learn more about how we mobilize our canteens in a disaster.
The Salvation Army of NE FL Event Listing & Registration
Welcome to the The Salvation Army of NE FL Community Event Registration & Volunteer Information System (CERVIS). Thank you for your desire to serve as part of the The Salvation Army of NE FL team. To learn more about our events or to begin the registration process, click on the event registration button below. We look forward to serving with you!
Northeast Florida Area Command
Majors Keath and Candice Biggers
328 North Ocean Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
(904) 301-4800
Administrative offices
328 N. Ocean St.
Jacksonville, FL 32202
(904) 301-4875
Towers Center of Hope Homeless / Social Services
Director: Julia Gordie
900 W. Adams Street
Jacksonville, FL 32204
(904) 356-8641
Jacksonville Citadel Corps
900 W. Adams Street
Jacksonville, FL 32204
Phone
(904) 366-9222
Clay County Corps
2795 CR 220
Middleburg, Florida 32068
Phone
(904) 276-6677
St. Augustine Corps
1425 Old Dixie Highway
Saint Augustine, FL 32084
Phone
(904) 824-6956
Nassau County Hope House
410 South 9th Street
Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Phone
(904) 321-0435
Celebrity Chefs Tasting and Silent Auction 2023
Every Spring, hundreds of hungry folks converge on the Prime Osborn Convention Center in downtown Jacksonville, anxious to sample scrumptious recipes offered by Jacksonville area “celebrities.”
Diners stop for a nibble from each station, where a local “celebrity” is serving up a spoonful of their favorite recipe. Patrons of this event are always delighted to mingle with local media personalities, government officials, and local business leaders. This year’s Celebrity Chefs include Ron Autrey, Noble Beckwith, Terrance Freeman, Paige Hakimian, Kawanza Humphrey, Melissa Ross, Rob Storm, Nicole Thomas, Andrea Williams, Virginia Anthony and Joseph Hinrichs.
The two-and-a-half-hour event includes a Silent Auction, which raises thousands of dollars each year for special projects. Always present at the Auction are such items as artwork, collectibles, jewelry, dinners, spa treatments, sports memorabilia, weekend getaways, rounds of golf, designer accessories, and much more.
Tickets are $40 for individual tickets and $35 if ten (10) or more are purchased, price includes free parking, the tasting event, the silent auction, and a free cookbook containing the recipes featured at the tasting.
The Celebrity Chefs Tasting and Silent Auction is the annual fundraiser of The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary.
Through this annual event, the Women’s Auxiliary supports the many Salvation Army programs that contribute to lasting and positive changes in the lives of those in need on Florida’s First Coast.
The Auxiliary membership includes over 70 dedicated ladies who quietly work throughout the year to make this incredible event possible. Over the past 36 years, this event has raised over two million dollars, making it the largest fundraiser for The Salvation Army of Northeast Florida.
Great Food…Local Celebrities…Decadent Desserts…A Fantastic Silent Auction…and Wonderful Guests are just some of the elements that make the 37th Annual Luncheon an event you won’t want to miss!
Thursday, March 23, 2023
11:00am to 1:00pm EST
Auction opens at 10:30am
Prime Osborn Convention Center
1000 Water Street
Jacksonville Florida 32204
“Celebrity” Chefs Spotlight
Ron Autrey
When asked “Why support The Salvation Army” I asked myself a few questions. Am I a Christian with Christian values? The answer is yes. Do I reach out to people in need and deliver the teachings of Jesus Christ and assist those that need help with housing, clothing, and financial assistance? Can I provide my help in more than 130 Countries to over 25 million people every day of every year? Of course, the answer is no.
In 1852, William Booth stepped into the streets in London and took the gospel of Jesus Christ to the people. He reached the poor, the hungry, and destitute lost souls in shadows of society. His Christian mission became The Salvation Army. Today, individuals and families facing homelessness and hunger can find genuine help in every city in the United States.
Our job as modern believers is simple and easy to accomplish. We can give our time and money to advance and support the mission of the Salvation Army. Some of you will be standing next to the “Red Bucket” this year ringing the bell of salvation. Writing a check to support the enormous reach of the Salvation Army puts your effort to work in social service programs, senior centers, veteran centers, and prisons, and so much more.
This year I am honored to be selected as one of the Celebrity Chefs at the 37th Annual Celebrity Chefs Tasting and Silent Auction. I hope you will join me at the Prime Osborn Center on March 23rd, 2023. Together we will be doing the work of Christians and supporting the mission of salvation around the world and down the streets of Jacksonville.
May God continue to Bless You and Your Family,
Ron Autrey
Andrea Williams
When I heard the words of the famous Shirly Chisolm telling me “Service is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth”, I knew it was ok to live a life of service. As a Christian, I have been taught to assist those in need from the early days of children’s Sunday School. However, living a life of service is a different kind of calling, one I am eternally grateful for embracing. The Salvation Army’s desire to just help meet human needs without discrimination is exactly aligned with such a life. The Salvation Army assists nearly 25 million people annually, which tells me this is an organization dedicated to the betterment of our community. The range of services include everything from support of our veterans to LGBTQ+ support ensuring us that no neighbor will be caste to the side.
I am happy to be a part of this amazing event for a great cause. I am thankful I get to showcase some of my heritage and what we called “good eatin’”. The smell of fresh honey corn muffins and salmon croquettes (salmon patties as we called them) filled the home of my grandmother often. It was one of my favorite meals. My grandmother had a small garden in her backyard and often had Tupperware with sliced cucumbers and ‘matas sitting in vinegar that just the right amount of pepper on them. We would often use that as our after-dinner snack. To be able to display these recipes for our community at this event means the world to me I hope you enjoy
THIS YEAR, WE’RE CELEBRATING 130 YEARS OF DOING GOOD IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA
Happy birthday to The Salvation Army! A look back over our 155 years.
2021 marks the 155th anniversary of The Salvation Army and the 130th anniversary of The Salvation Army of Northeast Florida. In 1865, William and Catherine Booth founded The Salvation Army in London, England and the good work of the Army has existed ever since. In 1891, The Salvation Army began serving the people of Northeast Florida. Since that time, we have been providing food, clothing, shelter and countless services to assist those in need.
The Northeast Florida Area Command includes social service operations in Jacksonville, the Citadel Corps (church), as well as corps in St Augustine and Clay County, the Nassau County Hope House, and assistance programs in Baker and Putnam counties. In Jacksonville The Salvation Army’s Towers Center of Hope includes a shelter for women and families, low-cost housing for men, a community food pantry serving 1,000 households each month, and a meal ministry that serves a hot meal to the hungry every night of the year. In 1924, The Salvation Army started the Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) for men struggling with addictions such as alcoholism and drug abuse.
As we look back over our years of service, especially 2020, one of the most unique and challenging years in our history, we feel a great appreciation for our devoted supporters who have lead our Area Command through many valleys and peaks.
“A salvation that does not lead to service is no salvation at all.”
Catherine Booth, co-founder of The Salvation Army
Let me tell you a story of faith, adventure, sacrifice, foreign lands and languages, self-discovery and the birth of something new. It is a story of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. It is the story of The Salvation Army.
But where did this all begin? The Salvation Army has always been there. Even in our grandparents’ and great grandparents’ time, The Salvation Army was there. Born in the rough streets of the east of London, England in the 1860s (yes, the 1860s), its founders were William and Catherine Booth and a small dedicated following of Christians who were concerned about the spiritual life of the poor in east London.
William Booth was a naturally gifted individual. At the age of 16, he converted to Christianity and began his street preaching career. By the age of 22, he had been given the opportunity to be a freelance evangelist and became a well-known preacher within the Methodist movement.
Catherine Booth (maiden name Mumford) was also gifted with a brilliant, analytical mind and by the age of 12, had read through the entire Bible eight times! In 1851, she met young evangelist William Booth. They began writing to each other as William accepted a position as a circuit preacher. In an age before Snapchat or FaceTime, letters were their only way to communicate.
Catherine and William finally married in 1855 and began their family that would include eight children in total.
THE BEGINNINGS OF AN ARMY
Booth family then moved to London, and William was often invited to speak at various church services. One evening, he was passing by a local pub called “The Blind Beggar” where a group of Christians were speaking to the crowd. After noticing William, the leader asked him to speak; by the end of the night, the Christians asked if he would like to speak regularly at their tent meetings—William would gladly accept.
Finally, in 1865, it was decided that this group should formally organize. So, in July, the East London Christian Mission was begun. William Booth was selected as the group’s General Superintendent, and the organization was run by committee.
Okay, but how did The East London Christian Mission become The Salvation Army?
By 1868, the Mission had spread to many locations around Britain. So, the group changed its name to just The Christian Mission. Its local leaders were called “evangelists,” and were given specific instructions regarding dress, deportment and helpful tips about leading a local mission. Some of the evangelists were women, and their assistants were often young, recently converted teenagers.
Bramwell Booth and George Scott Railton (the Mission’s secretary) were reviewing the annual report when the title page said, “The Christian Mission is a Volunteer Army.” Bramwell argued that he was no volunteer but a “regular.” William Booth strode over to the table, crossed out the word “volunteer” and wrote “salvation.” The Christian Mission was now a Salvation Army.
At the War Congress of 1878, Booth announced that evangelists would now be called Captains, and their assistants would be Lieutenants. He was now the General, and more instructions would follow. The Christian Mission Magazine was renamed to The War Cry. Ranks and uniforms would all eventually evolve as the group exploded with growth, not only in Britain, but all over the world.
FROM LONDON TO THE WORLD
It was a 16-year-old Lieutenant named Eliza Shirley that would bring the newly-named Salvation Army to America. She had been accepted as an assistant just after the name change and was commissioned as a Lieutenant. At times, the only thing she had to eat were nearly inedible crackers that had been stored in an old kerosene tin. When her parents decided to immigrate to America in 1879, Eliza sought permission to accompany them and to begin preaching in America.
General Booth was not happy with this decision. He thought that she should remain in Britain as an officer, and also, he was not ready to expand the work into America. However, Eliza pleaded with him, and the General relented, giving her verbal permission to go and to “start something along the lines” of The Salvation Army.
One year later, The Salvation Army sent its first “official” delegation. Consisting of George Scott Railton and seven ladies (since dubbed the Hallelujah lassies), they arrived in New York with little public fanfare. Within days, the early Salvation Army had issues. America was vastly different than Britain. Rules and laws were different—but Railton persisted. In 1881, he launched the American version of The War Cry.
The Salvation Army experienced tremendous growth in America and all over the globe. Officers, as ordained ministers, and Salvationists as members of The Salvation Army, were sent out to neighboring towns to “start something.” Often, they only arrived in town carrying a suitcase and the Army flag.
Catherine Booth passed away in October of 1890 and that same year William Booth wrote “In Darkest England and the Way Out.” An international bestseller, Booth laid out his ideas for reforming society and elevating the poor of the urban cities.
Then in 1904, one of the most celebrated, flamboyant and misunderstood leaders arrived in New York. She had been involved with Salvation Army ministry since the age of 15. When her sister, Emma Booth-Tucker, was tragically killed in a train accident, the General sent her to take command. Evangeline Booth would serve as the National Commander in America for the next 30 years. While she was serving as National Commander, her father, William Booth, co-founder and first General of The Salvation Army, passed away in 1912. Under Evangeline’s command (including during WWI), The Salvation Army continued to preach the Gospel message and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.
20TH CENTURY AND BEYOND
In most communities, The Salvation Army is a leader of social outreach and assistance to families. George Barna, founder of The Barna Group, called The Salvation Army “the most effective organization.” Today, The Salvation Army is active in 131 countries around the world. The Gospel is still being preached, the poor are still being helped, children are being fed, the alcoholic is being treated and social reform continues to be a priority.
The work of The Salvation Army has and is taking on many different forms and reaching millions of people. Halfway houses, Adult Rehabilitation Centers (ARCs), schools, hospitals, children’s homes, Boys & Girls Clubs—all this and so much more. Every single ministry was and is born from the desire to be God’s hands and feet so that, as physical needs were being met, the Gospel could be shared.
Each Christmas, The Salvation Army assists with providing food boxes along with clothing and Angel Tree gifts for families, as well as raising money through its annual Red Kettle Campaign, which funds community and social service programs like rental or utility assistance throughout the year. This Christmas, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Salvation Army is anticipating an exponential increase in need. With that need in mind, and the understanding that the pandemic will restrict in-person kettle efforts, The Salvation Army has launched #RescueChristmas in an effort to engage volunteers and raise funds to continue said services this Christmas and throughout 2021.
Even through recent world-changing events, The Salvation Army continues its primary mission and ministry. Each Sunday, the doors are flung open, and the whom-so-ever can come and worship, and Salvationists of every nation can sing with gladness and joy:
I serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world today!
…you ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart!
SALVATION ARMY GLOSSARY
- Corps: A Salvation Army church established for the preaching of the gospel, worship, teaching and fellowship and to provide Christian-motivated service in the community.
- Corps Cadet: a young Salvationist between 7th grade and age 24 who undertakes a Bible-based course of discipleship and leadership in a corps.
- General: The officer elected to the supreme command of the Army throughout the world.
- Officer: ordained minister of the Christian faith
- Salvationist: A person of any age, uniform-wearing or not, who attends The Salvation Army and claims it as their spiritual home.
- Uniforms: labels Salvationists anywhere as set apart for Jesus, marked as one eager to pray with and to help others.
- War Cry: a monthly magazine devoted to sharing the love of God without discrimination and representing The Salvation Army’s mission of serving human need.
What CAN I give?
- canned fruit
- peanut butter
- canned soups
- cereal
- canned tuna
- mac'n cheese
- pasta
- canned beans
- canned chicken/meat
- rice
- granola
- condiments/spices
- canned vegetables
Drop off dry goods at The Towers Center of Hope 140 N Davis St, Jacksonville, FL 32204 for questions call (904) 301-8641
“If any local business or churches would like to partner with The Salvation Army and host their own food drive please to benefit our organization, please contact Julia Bryant: julia.bryant@uss.salvationarmy.org
(904)356-8641 ex: 4785
Thank you to The Florida Panthers for generous Gift to Disaster Relief Efforts
Disaster Services, NewsThank you The Florida Panthers for hosting 1,000 “hurricane heroes” at home opener and generous support of The Salvation Army. “It’s amazing to see, not only the generosity, but the spirit and camaraderie of the Panthers,” said Kevin Smith, The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services Director for Florida. “We’ve already given out a direct service […]