COVID-19 Update for Manatee County
- To help control the spread of COVID-19, meals will be served outside in “to-go” containers Monday-Friday at 5 pm.
- Emergency overnight and shelter programs are operating at a limited capacity to promote social distancing.
- Our lobby doors are locked. Please call 941-748-5110 for assistance during office hours, Monday-Thursday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm.
- For financial assistance (rent/utilities), please click here. Applications may be "turned on and off" based on the number submitted. Please continue to try if you are unable to access the application.
- With an expected spike in requests for help over the coming weeks, months, and potentially years, ongoing public support will be needed to help ensure that services are available. Visit send your donations to PO Box 1179, Bradenton, FL 34206 and write COVID 19 on the memo line or, click here to donate online.
Serving Manatee County since 1923
The Salvation Army has been serving Manatee County since 1923. While the needs of the community have changed in the last century, our mission has not. If you were to ask about us, the answer would be we are “Doing the Most Good.” This may mean our free evening meal program, our emergency overnight shelters, our case management and social service programs or one of our Christmas assistance programs, Angel Tree or Adopt-A-Family. In addition, The Salvation Army is a church and we hold worship services every week, plus other faith-based and character building programs for adults and youths.
Our programs and services
We offer a free, community dinner each weeknight beginning at 5 pm. Anyone is welcome to attend, but we require dinner attendees to have a meal card. Cards can be picked up at 1204 14th Street West. Please call 941-748-5110 for more information.
In addition to feeding, we provide shelter. We offer shelter in the form of emergency overnight stays and associated case management programs. The Pathway of Hope program assists motivated families seeking security and stability in their lives.
Angel Tree helps local, qualified families with Christmas presents. In September of 2019, 1,886 children registered for the Angel Tree program.
Funded by the Manatee County Community Development Block Program in response to COVID-19, an outreach program began in 2020 to meet with individuals in homeless camps to make sure they are aware of available resources and basic needs are being met, including personal protection equipment and other items to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Emergency Disaster Services
Did you know The Salvation Army is involved with natural disaster relief efforts? The Salvation Army of Manatee County sent staff and volunteers to North Carolina to help respond to clean-up and recovery efforts after Hurricane Florence in 2018, as well as to Florida's Panhandle after Hurricane Michael. Learn more about Emergency Disaster Services.
We couldn’t do it all without you!
One of the most recognized faith-based charitable organizations spanning the globe, we could not help those in need without your support. The generosity of the local community through donations, volunteer efforts and those who host our Angel Trees every year help us Do The Most Good. Click here to get involved!
‘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, a few 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.
Women’s Ministry
“What is the essence of life? To serve others and to do good.”
-Aristotle
The Salvation Army in Bradenton has both seasonal and year-round opportunities for volunteerism that allow you as an individual, your family or a group to “Do the Most Good.” While some may look for a face-to-face interaction with those we serve, others may prefer to be more “behind the scenes” in their volunteer efforts. Fortunately, we can accommodate both.
Year-round
- Emergency Disaster Services
- Community dinner
- Youth enrichment for children at family shelter
- Youth programs
Seasonally
- Angel Tree (September) * may vary in 2020 due to COVID-19
- Angel Tree toy shop sorting and distribution (December)
- Ring bells at our red kettles (November and December)
Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) team
- This often means serving meals or passing out bottled water to first responders and disaster victims. EDS team volunteers can elect to receive short assignments, such as two hours in your community or a longer assignment that could require travel to another state for up to two weeks. Please visit our EDS website for more information on the EDS volunteer program, including training requirements.
Special Projects
- At times, we do have special projects that require the assistance of a volunteer. If you are already on our volunteer roster, you may be called to see if you are available to help.
Other ways to help:
- We receive calls from groups who would like to do a service project on our behalf. We welcome these calls and accommodate when possible.
- Sponsor a drive to support basic shelter needs.
- During the holiday season, host an Angel Tree at your business, club or church.
For more information on our volunteer opportunities or to complete an application, please call 941-757-5770 or click here for an application packet.
The fine print: In most cases, volunteers must be at least 18 years of age. Minors may volunteer when accompanied by a parent in some holiday positions. All volunteers are expected to complete an online application and profile and attend a one-hour orientation session.
“My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways,”
Proverbs 23:26
About 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.
Our churches, known as corps, are made up of congregations of soldiers (church members). Worship services meet regularly on Sunday mornings and host other activities throughout the week.
Considered a protestant denomination of the Christian Church, Salvation Army beliefs align with the mainstream of Christian beliefs. Salvation Army Officers are ordained ministers who provide ministerial duties for their congregations and perform marriages and dedicate children.
We welcome you to visit our church.
Worship Times
Sunday
Sunday School-9:30 AM
Worship-10:45 AM
Bible Study & Prayer
Tuesday – 10 AM
Women’s Ministry
Thursday mornings – 9:45 AM
Youth Programs
Tuesday – 5:30 PM **Dinner included
Music Programs & Practice
Junior Band – Wednesday – 5:30 PM**Dinner included
Senior Band – Wednesday – 7:00 PM
Location
The Salvation Army Center for Worship in Manatee County is located at 5328 24th Street East, Bradenton, Florida, 34203. The church sits at the corner of 24th Street East and 53rd Avenue East (State Route 70), just west of U.S. Hwy 301.
For more information on worship services and ministry programs, please call 941-748-5110.
Page in progress....
Check back for on information for our Kids 2 Kamp Golf Tournament, which has been postponed until April of 2021 due to COVID-19.
More information will be available shortly!
Our 2020 Kids to Kamp session has come to a close!
Starting on June 30, 2020, The Salvation Army offered a new summer day camp for Manatee County children. This five-week camp accepted 24 children between the ages of six and ten.
We are very happy to say the 24 children enrolled not only had fun learning and making new friends, all 24 children remained healthy and COVID-free during the camp’s duration.
The theme of this year’s camp was Mars and Beyond. The kids learned about Mars, the solar system and about NASA’s plans to visit Mars. They built rockets and launched them the final week of camp. Originally, we planned field trips to local attractions like The Bishop, Mote and Big Cat Habitat. Instead of taking the kids in vans to these places, we invited different people and organizations in to educate and entertain the children. One week, a cultural arts group came and taught dance to the kids. They had short lessons in small groups and came together to do a performance for staff and invited guests at lunch. Another day, a magician who appeared on “America’s Got Talent” did a one-hour presentation of his bubble show, which included putting several of the kids inside their own bubbles. This was a hit with both the kids and our staff!
Kids 2 Kamp included:
Arts & Crafts
Character Building Exercises
Recreational Activities - Outdoor Games
In-house "field trips"
Reading
Vacation Bible School
For more information, please call 941-748-5110.
Special Thanks Those Who Have Supported This Program
W. Paul Hoenle Foundation, Inc.
Bradenton Kiwanis Foundation
Bradenton Rotary Foundation
Green Family Foundation
Events Happening Now
Youth Programs – Tuesdays from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm– Center for Worship – 5328 24th Street East, Bradenton
Hispanic Women's Bible Study – Tuesdays from 6 pm– Center for Worship – 5328 24th Street East, Bradenton
Estudio Bíblico y Oración para mujeres. El servicio es en Español, los Martes a las 6:00 PM en 5328 24th Street East, Bradenton
Social Seniors – Wednesdays from 10 am - 12 pm– Center for Worship – 5328 24th Street East, Bradenton
Narcotics Anonymous – Every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 6 pm – Pathway of Hope Life Skills Center
Upcoming Events
To learn more about any of our events, please call 941-748-5110.
Sarasota County Welcomes Lt. Colonels Michele and Ward Matthews as New Area Commanders
News, SarasotaPrior to their arrival in Sarasota County, Lt. Colonels Ward and Michele Matthews served as National Community Relations and Development Secretary and National Director for White House Relations, respectively,. Lt. Col. Ward Matthews also served as The Salvation Army’s national spokesperson. Prior to their national headquarters appointment in 2018, Lt. Col. Ward Matthews was legal […]