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 (see info under the services heading) 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.