Help others believe in the Magic of Christmas!

Christmas Assistance

Help others believe in the Magic of Christmas!
Each year, The Salvation Army oversees two Christmas assistance programs – Angel Tree and Adopt-A-Family – to help local, qualified families with Christmas presents for their children up to age 12.

In 2018, we served more than 2,600 children through our Christmas Assistance programs! Now, we’ll start the process again! Visit one of the links below to learn more about the Angel Tree and Adopt-A-Family Christmas assistance programs.

Pick-up Information

If you're registered to receive assistance please bring your appointment letter. If you've misplaced your letter please bring the following:

• Photo ID
• Proof of address (Lease)
• Birth Certificate of children registered
• If another person is picking up for APPLICANT, person must have Notarized Letter from APPLICANT giving permission to pickup toys, Appointment letter and their PHOTO ID. (No Exceptions please)
• Clients can come to the Corp for pickup letter if needed from 9am-11am this week ONLY.  If unable to make it during that time slot, please inform applicant to bring information on assigned pick up date and time

Pick up location: The Salvation Army Corps Located at 5328  24^th St. East. Bradenton, FL 34203

Please call 941-748-5110 if you have questions.

‘Soup, Soap and Salvation‘ may sound a simplistic motto, but it addresses the heart of human need and is embedded into the fabric of The Salvation Army mission.

Feeding those who would go without a hot, nutritious meal hits at the core of The Salvation Army’s mission. Each weeknight in Bradenton, we serve a hot meal to an average of 250 men, women and children at our Community Dinner. Doors open at 5 pm Monday-Friday as we welcome the community to our dining room. While the dinner is provided at no cost, we ask guests to pick up a meal card at our administrative office, located at 1204 14th Street West, between 1 pm and 4 pm.

We welcome everyone to dinner – this meal is served to anyone in need, just not exclusively the homeless. Thus, many seniors and families who live nearby attend our community dinner.

What is for dinner?
Each night, the kitchen staff at The Salvation Army prepares a hot, nutritious meal. A protein, vegetables, starch and dessert are staples on the daily menu. Lasagna, beef stew, pizza, soup & salad, Italian sausage and peppers often appear on to the menu.

Food donations
We accept food donations from several local grocery, wholesale club and convenience stores. In addition, several restaurants donate food on a regular basis. If you would like to learn more about making a food donation, please call our kitchen manager at 941-757-5783.

Facts on Hunger
By definition, to be food insecure means that there is a lack of reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food.

• Households with children are more likely to be food insecure than those without.
• 59% of food insecure households participate in a major food assistance program.
• The National Council on Aging reports that over 4 million low income adults over the age of 60 rely on a food assistance program. On average, they receive $108/month for food.

Because not all things in life go according to plan, The Salvation Army’s social services department in Bradenton provides case management, emergency financial assistance and basic needs to qualified Manatee County residents experiencing a valid crisis. We understand that hard-working families often make the decision of buying medicine and groceries or paying the electric bill.

A completed application for financial assistance is required and all cases are screened for eligibility.

Financial assistance is available for:
• Utilities, FPL and TECO, eviction prevention and other basic needs funds are available for qualified applicants.
• Rental assistance only when funding is available.
• A limited number of names can be taken for financial assistance. Assistance is subject to approval and is not guaranteed.

Eligibility:
• FPL, TECO and water assistance – You must have a valid crisis and past due balance or shut-off notice.
• Rental/housing assistance – You must show a valid crisis and/or a 3-day eviction notice.

Required Documents:
Please bring current photo ID for all household members 18 and over and last 4-digits of social security number for everyone in the household. Once the referral is accepted, a case manager will contact you and provide instructions on which documents are necessary, as they vary for each service.

How to begin:
Call our office at 941-748-5110 and ask to speak to a case manager about your situation.

Here is a complete list of services offered by the social services department

• Electric service payment assistance
• Gas service payment assistance
• Water bill assistance
• Rental/Housing assistance when funds are available
• Personal financial counseling
• Christmas programs
• Life skills education

To learn more, call 941-748-5110.

Each evening, the men’s shelter opens its doors to adult males seeking shelter.  The Salvation Army serving Manatee County has capacity to provide lodging for 100 men each evening.  The shelter offers both emergency overnight stay and long-term case management programs to link clients to community resources and meet the goal of finding long-term, sustainable housing.

Emergency Shelter

The overnight emergency shelter begins intake daily at 6 pm.  Manatee County residents receive seven free shelter nights.  Once the seven nights have been used, clients will be encouraged to enter a case-managed shelter program.

Shelter Programs

Individuals seeking additional assistance may enroll in a shelter program.  Each client works with a case manager to develop a case plan outlining goals and objectives.  Goals and objectives contribute to the overall goal of finding sustainable housing.  For example, clients participate in life skills classes on budgeting and personal finance.  Links to other community resources such as medical and dental care or legal aid are also provided.  Our four separate programs serve different demographic groups.

• Turning Points Work Program – This program requires participants obtain employment and save money before seeking sustainable housing.
• Veteran’s Program – Offered in conjunction with the Veteran’s Administration, provides emergency housing for veterans for 30 days until a long-term solution is found.
• Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) – Allows men waiting for a bed at the ARC to stay in shelter.  Once transferred to the ARC, men receive six months of substance abuse counseling.

For more information on the men’s shelter, please call 941-748-5110 and ask for extension 134.

Homelessness is not exclusive to adults, children can be homeless too

When you imagine someone as homeless, you probably do not think of women with children. However, the number of homeless women with children continues to grow in this area.

Each evening, the shelter for women and children opens its doors to both single women and women who have come seeking shelter for themselves and their children. The Salvation Army serving Manatee County designates five rooms to women and their children; a sixth room serves only women. When these spaces are occupied, common areas provide emergency overnight shelter.

The shelter for women and children offers both emergency overnight stay and long-term case management programs to link clients to community resources and meet the goal of finding long-term, sustainable housing.

Emergency Shelter

The overnight emergency shelter begins intake daily at 6 pm. Manatee County residents receive seven free shelter nights. Once the seven nights have been used, a fee of $10 per night is charged.

Shelter Programs

Individuals seeking additional assistance may enroll in a shelter program. Each client works with a case manager to develop a case plan outlining goals and objectives. Goals and objectives contribute to the overall goal of finding sustainable housing. For example, clients participate in life skills classes on budgeting, personal finance, parenting, etc. Links to other community resources such as child care, medical and dental care or legal aid are also provided.

Restrictions

Individuals under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a female parent or guardian.

For more information on the shelter, please call 941-748-5110 and ask for extension 128.

Click here to view the Pathway of Hope program brochure.

Women’s Ministry

• Tuesdays, 6 pm - new - Hispanic Women's Bible Study & Prayer
• Los Martes a las 6:00 PM - Estudio Bíblico y Oración para mujeres. El servicio es en Español,
• Thursday mornings – 9:45 AM
• Bradenton Busy Bees (scrap booking, card making, stamping, Bible journaling, etc), 3^rd Saturday of each month, 9 am to 5 pm

Youth Programs

• Tuesdays, during the school year, 5:30, dinner included
• Annual Vacation Bible School Event (2020 Date TBA)

The services and programs provided by The Salvation Army are funded by the generosity of our donors. While we receive some grant funding, the bulk of our revenue stems from local support.

Here are some facts about donations to The Salvation Army:

• When you donate online or through one of our mail campaigns, that donation stays in your community.
• By dropping a dollar in one of our Red Kettles at holiday time, that dollar helps your community.
• If you donate clothing or household goods for our resale shops, funds raised through the sales of these items support our substance abuse rehabilitation programs.
• When you leave money to The Salvation Army through your estate, that aids the long term sustainability of The Salvation Army.
• By participating in either Angel Tree or Adopt-A-Family programs, you support local families through a Salvation Army program.
• Your donations “Do The Most Good” for those in need. Your support may become a free dinner, a night in our shelter or a case management program to help clients gain independence and sustainability.

The Salvation Army is a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt organization and gifts are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.