The Salvation Army in Modesto operates a shelter located at 9th and D Streets. The shelter is available all year round on a limited basis during the summer months and at full capacity (80 men and 20 women) during the winter months. The winter season extends from the 1st Monday of November through the end of April.

Currently, there are a number of church congregations that provide nutritional meals to our guests. These partners prepare meals for 140 individuals and transport those prepared meals to the shelter located at the corner of 9th and D streets. Then, in service to others, the members of the congregations lovingly serve this food to the needy.

How can you help? The Salvation Army has the following service opportunities nightly during the hours of 5:00-7:00 PM.

Bicycle Check In: This opportunity interacts with the residents by helping them store their bicycles in a safe and secure place within the shelter. Responsibilities include greeting the clients and directing the individuals as to where they can store their bicycles.

Observation Room Monitoring: Within the shelter is an observation room that is equipped with a computer monitor and DVR player. This unit captures 16 camera angles strategically placed around the shelter facility. This particular volunteer opportunity requires the monitoring of the cameras that capture the various activities around and in the shelter. The goal of this process is to ensure the safety of the clients, staff, volunteers and building.

Check In: When the residents arrive at the shelter, they often have all of their worldly possessions with them. Therefore, it is critical that, upon intake, the belongings of the individual are properly identified and secured. Consequently, The Salvation Army is looking for dedicated volunteers to help with the check-in process. This process includes the tagging of the individual’s belongings and properly storing those items for the resident. Also, as part of the process, the individuals are provided with soap, shampoo and a change of clean undergarments.

Greeting Opportunities: Opportunities include greeting the clients by interacting with the residents as they begin to register for their night’s stay. These greeting opportunities will be provided both inside the shelter facility as well as the outside grounds adjacent to the welcoming center. Individuals for this opportunity simply need a warm smile and genuine concern for individuals to be sheltered.

As you can see, assisting the homeless of our county is a community wide undertaking. Many churches and organizations have responded to the need in a wonderful outpouring of love. With winter at our back door, our homeless population once again needs our support.

Would you be willing to volunteer? One night a week? One night a month? Be on a volunteer substitution list? Cook and serve meals for 125? If so, contact us for more information.