The Salvation Army - McAllen, TX

The Salvation Army–McAllen/Hidalgo County offers various programs and services to Hidalgo County residents. Please call our office for more information about the requirements and/or to make an appointment with our caseworker for any of the following services:

Clothing: We provide clothing to children and adults in need through vouchers. Clients may redeem the vouchers at The Salvation Army Family Store. We also distribute winter coats to those in need through the Tim’s Coats Program—a partnership between KRGV’s weatherman, Tim Smith, and local dry cleaners to provide coats, jackets and sweaters to those in need. While persons in need of clothing vouchers must call and make an appointment with our case worker, walk-ins are welcome for those in need of a winter coat.

Food Pantry: We provide clients with items from our food pantry on a case-by-case basis only. We refer non-McAllen residents to a food pantry in their city for non-emergencies.

Hygiene Kits: When available, hygiene kits for clients include the following:
-Toothbrush/toothpaste
-Shampoo/conditioner
-Body soap
-Pampers/wipes
-Toiletry items

Furniture/Household Items: We distribute furniture/household items to clients (i.e. victims of a burnt home) on an emergency basis and upon furniture availability. Documentation, such as a fire report and/or a referral letter from a Social Worker, Case Worker, Nurse, Pastor or other agency, is required. The referral letter must confirm that a home visit was made and it must include a list of specific items needed.

Rent Assistance: When funding is available, we provide individuals and families who qualify with rent assistance through our Homeless Prevention program. Urban County Program Emergency Solution Grant funds assist with rent arrears for up to 6 months with proof of a court-ordered eviction notice and/or first month’s rent if client meets HUD ESG’s definition of homeless. Community Development Block Grant funds assist residents of McAllen and Pharr with one month of rent with an eviction notice by a landlord/manager/owner. (Other requirements from grantors apply.)

Transportation Vouchers: We provide local bus vouchers to clients so they may obtain support services, medical services and job training/employment.

Shelter: We currently operate the only Emergency Shelter Program that can house a complete family. The shelter—open 365 days a year—is designed to temporarily house the homeless, allowing them to steadily move toward independent living. The shelter includes a men’s dorm, a women’s dorm and four family units. The dorms and family units contain bathrooms and showers. Check-in hours are 6-9PM. Persons needing shelter can eat dinner at no cost at 5:30PM and check in at 6:00PM to stay the night at our facility. The following day they can have breakfast at 7:00AM and then leave the facility by 7:30AM. Although our dorms are closed from 7:30AM to 5:30PM, we are available to answer questions regarding our shelter. If a person/family is accompanied by law enforcement between 10PM and 7:00AM, we will accommodate them according to their need. Persons with I.D. can stay five consecutive nights for free. Those without an I.D. can only stay one free night. A social worker meets with the shelter clients to assess needs and establish goals to move towards self-sufficiency.

Soup Kitchen: The Soup Kitchen provides the Hidalgo County community with free lunch (12:30-1PM) and dinner (5:30-6PM), Monday through Sunday—365 days a year. Breakfast is available only to persons staying in our emergency shelter.

5 Fans for Friends: The Salvation Army partners with Channel 5 and HEB for the 5 Fans for Friends program to provide free fans to community members in need of a cooling unit during the summer. The program allows HEB customers to purchase fans and leave them in a designated drop-off box. The Salvation Army picks up the fans from that box and delivers to our Social Services Department where the staff distribute the fans to Hidalgo County residents in need.

Emergency Disaster Services: Our team has assisted for over 77 years in relief efforts, such as the World Trade Center, Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Dolly, tornadoes in Oklahoma and in Texas, earthquakes in Peru, and local wild fires.

Family Stores: Our Family Stores are open to the public where people can donate and/or shop. Donated clothes, furniture, household items and vehicles (i.e. cars, motorhomes, travel trailers) are sold at our Family Stores. The income raised through the sale of these items benefits the programs/services we offer to the community.

Angel Tree Program: Each year The Salvation Army assists needy families during the holiday season through the Angel Tree Program. This program involves the community in a direct way, allowing them to become personally involved by sharing with those less fortunate in their community.
This unique sharing program started in Lynchburg, Virginia in 1979. It provides holiday gifts of new clothing and toys to thousands of children—ages newborn thru 12 years—who otherwise might not have anything for Christmas. The Angel Tree Program at The Salvation Army-McAllen/Hidalgo County is open to children of needy families who reside in Hidalgo County. Children who are recipients of Angel Tree gifts are from families who have demonstrated a financial need through requirements and applied for Christmas assistance through our Social Services department. We take information from parents who come and register their children with us. We take down clothing and shoe sizes and special needs of the children. We then transfer the information, including the child’s first name, age, sex, gift wants & needs, to paper “angels.”
Then, individuals and partnering corporations may personally buy a gift for a child in need by adopting an Angel and purchasing gifts for that child. After choosing an Angel and purchasing the gifts, the gifts are returned unwrapped to The Salvation Army facility or to “Santa’s Secret Workshop” where we distribute the gifts to the families a few days before Christmas.
Last year in McAllen the Salvation Army helped 558 families and a total of 1,673 children who received over 14, 292 toys.
If you would like to participate in the Angel Tree Program this holiday season by adopting an Angel, feel free to contact Laura Melendez at 956 682-1468, or e-mail her at Laura_Melendez@uss.salvationarmy.org.

Life Skills Training Program:
Instructor: Alma Hill, MSW
Ms. Hill has her Masters in Social Services from the University of South Carolina and has been teaching Life Skills for 10 years, helping individuals and families lead happy, healthy and fulfilled lives.
Ever feel as though you have no control over your circumstances? Our Life Skills Training Program (LSTP) consists of skills that if understood, practiced and used daily, not only will enhance our life, but those who whom we interact with at work and in life. These skills consist of the following: Social Skills, Job Skills, Financial Planning, and Wellness.
Through a series of group and individual sessions, the LSTP challenges, inspires and supports the participant in achieving their goals, while at the same time holding them accountable. LSTP participants learn to take back control of their life by learning new ways of coping with stress, anger and conflict resolution. Participants also learn how to create a resume that is appropriate to an employer and how to dress for an interview.
The Salvation Army offers three (3) 12-week LSTP sessions every year. The first sessions starts in February and then repeats after the 12 weeks. Participants meet with the instructor for class on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, as well as meet individually with the instructor for one hour per week. There is no charge for the classes and all materials are provided. Each class will cover the following items:
-Stress management & Reducing Stress
-Conflict Resolution
-Resume Writing
-Learning to Interview
-Your Finances
-Budgeting
-Credit Cards and Loans
-Learning to Live with Your Budget
-Healthy Living
-Goal Setting
For more information, please contact Alma Hill at The Salvation Army at 956-682-1468.
Class space is limited, so sign up now. You can sign up for the Life Skills Training Program at 1600 N. 23rd. St. McAllen, TX 78501.

ESL & Computer classes: Call for more info.

We have volunteer opportunities for those 18 years of age and older: Call for more info.

Schedule of Worship & Activities
SUNDAY:
9:00AM Fellowship Breakfast
9:45AM Sunday School
11:00AM Worship Service
12:30PM Fellowship Lunch
6:30PM Sunday Night Live
TUESDAY:
9:30AM Women’s Ministries
WEDNESDAY:
5:00PM Youth Dinner
5:30PM Youth Devotional
6-6:30PM Organized Recreation
FRIDAY:
9:30 AM Community Care Ministries

Women’s Ministries – For women who want to have a deeper understanding of God, who like fellowship with other women, and who are interested in serving others.
Youth Programs – Divided into one class for children ages 6-12 and another class for youth ages 13-young adults. The youth enjoy games, fellowship, refreshments, and devotion each week.
Community Care is a passionate Christ-like ministry of The Salvation Army with hands on,heartfelt care for the community. This is demonstrated by volunteer service given through individuals and groups.

Social Services: Monday – Friday, 9AM–12PM, and 1–5PM
Emergency Shelter: Sunday – Saturday, 6-9PM
Soup Kitchen: Sunday – Saturday, Lunch (12:30–1PM) & Dinner (5:30–6PM)
Thrift Stores:
1600 N. 23rd St. McAllen, TX 78501 (P) 956-682-1468 Mon-Sat, 9AM-5:30PM

401 S. Texas Blvd. Weslaco, TX 78596 (P) 956-447-1952 Tues-Sat, 10AM-5:30PM

We can pick up large furniture items. Call 956-682-1468 to schedule a pick-up.