This Weather Channel image shows Hurricane Alex, the first hurricane of the 2010 season.

As South Texas communities brace themselves for the effects of Hurricane Alex, The Salvation Army is already providing shelter and food to people in preparation for the first hurricane of the season.

Yesterday The Salvation Army opened the doors of its shelter in McAllen, TX to residents evacuating ahead of the storm. They housed 73 people, of which 23 were evacuees, and served 140 meals. They continue to remain on stand-by in case additional help is needed at any of the area designated shelters.

Mobile feeding units called canteens are in place and ready to serve in the southern Texas cities of Corpus Christi, Harlingen, McAllen and Laredo, Texas. Several more canteens are staged in San Antonio with staff and volunteers. The Salvation Army mobile kitchen, capable of preparing 20,000 meals daily, and generator have been made available and are ready for deployment if necessary. The Salvation Army will also provide clean-up kits if excessive flooding results from Hurricane Alex.

“The Salvation Army is anticipating several days of sheltering and mass feeding along the Gulf Coast area”, said Major Terry Israel, Divisional Secretary in Texas. “ These services will be available at least through Friday, and as long as the need exists.”

For more information about The Salvation Army emergency disaster services program or to support The Salvation Army’s emergency relief efforts, please visit www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY.  For the latest updates on Salvation Army disaster activities, follow our Disaster Services team on Twitter @SalArmyEDS.

The Groundhog saw his shadow today, and if the rodent’s predictions are accurate, that means we have six more weeks of bitter winter weather.

Some people prefer the cold season, and others might find the chilly temperatures an inconvenience, but for the homeless, such a forecast could have severly grim consequences. Without knowing where their next meal will come from, and living without roof or bed, the lack of the most basic necessities turns icy temperatures into a matter of life and death for the homeless.

“I probably wouldn’t have survived,” recalled Herbert “Herb” David Gardner of Chattanooga, Tennessee, referring to the long, frigid nights sleeping on docks and living inside a tent before he found the local Salvation Army warming shelter about a month ago.

Another homeless man told Salvation Army Captain Bob Mullins “I would have died if you didn’t have this shelter to come to,” referring to a unit in Huntington, West Virginia, where temperatures have plunged into the lower teens.

Salvation Army shelters across the country are on the front lines battling this years’ exceptionally harsh winter, opening their doors to homeless people seeking refuge from the blistery elements. Within these safe havens, those in need have found a warm place to sleep, hot meals, winter clothing and blankets, and other items that will help keep them safe through the dangerously cold nights.

Passing through the shelter doors are young and old, families and individuals, those who have spent much of their life on the streets and others who are seeking help for the first time in light of a difficult economy. The size and amenities of each Salvation Army shelter vary and are tailored to the needs of each community, but all share the mission of meeting the needs of those they serve.

According to Captain Mullins, the organization’s shelter in Huntington averages more than forty men, women, and children each night, and within one day they recently served more than 600 meals and 1,000 drinks. They’ve also handed out numerous blankets, hygiene kits, shoes, and winter clothing items, all which are direly needed by the shelter’s patrons.

This week a rescue squad brought a couple into the Huntington shelter that was found in the subfreezing temperatures with nothing but a cardboard box as protection. Another man who came in had developed frostbite after holes in his shoes left his feet exposed to the elements. At the shelter these people and others were finally able to have their physical needs cared for, as well as their mental and spiritual needs through opportunities to participate in activities such as Praise and Worship and a Bible study, programs offered in one form or another by many Salvation Army shelters across the country.

Thanks to generous donations from local community members and organizations, Salvation Army shelters are able to provide much needed supplies and support for the homeless. However, with the long cold spells and significant crowds entering their doors, shelters are continually seeking and gratefully accepting donations, including monetary contributions, clothing and outerwear, bedding, heaters, and volunteer help, so that they may continue to faithfully serve vulnerable individuals and families.

“We watch the news and weather hoping and praying there will be a break in these extremely cold temperatures, but we are prepared to remain open until it is safe for those who have become like family to return to those places they call home,” said Captain Mullins.

And as Salvation Army staff and volunteers work tirelessly to mitigate the dangers of the cold weather, the diligent efforts of those in Chattanooga have inspired their homeless patron Herb Gardner. After seeking shelter with The Salvation Army almost two months ago, Herb says he is motivated to get off the streets and get his life back on track. Not only is he involved with The Salvation Army shelter program to outline weekly goals, find a job, and hunt for his own apartment, he also spends many days volunteering at a local community kitchen.

“I try to give back for people that’s given to me,” Herb said. “I’m trying to look forward and change my life. And without this place I would have never been able to do it, I don’t think. The Salvation Army is such a great place. It’s a blessing from God for this place even being here.”

If the Groundhog is correct, we hope at least that it is a mild six weeks for the sake of those who are left vulnerable to the wintry elements, but, whatever the weather, The Salvation Army’s shelter doors will continue to remain open for those in need.

The Salvation Army knows that need knows no season.

Unfortunately, in a troubled economy with more people than ever before seeking help from social service agencies, the Army – and many similar organizations – has found itself in need of help.

Food kitchens and pantries across the country have seen exponential increase in the community’s need for their services.  However, as need continues to rise, donations are becoming few and far between.

However, for one Salvation Army Food Pantry in Austin, Minnesota, the calvary has arrived.

The Austin Daily Herald reports that the United Way’s board of directors in that locale will make a $15,000 donation from their Emergency Fund to assist the Salvation Army in paying its bills.

According to the article, the Army had sent out a plea for help to the community and all of its major donors for help.  The United Way, recognizing the Austin Salvation Army as a sponsored partner, awarded the grant from its Emergency Fund.

Sadly, the story of the Austin Salvation Army is commonplace the nation over.  While are generous during the Army’s Red Kettle Campaign at Christmas, donations of time, talent and money are less plentiful throughout the year when the funds are still needed to support daily social services to the community.

You can help the Army in your area, too, by making a donation.  Online donations can be made here or you can call 1-800-SAL-Army.  You can even mail donations to your local Salvation Army using the National Website’s zip code locator, located in the upper right-hand corner of the site’s homepage.

Be a hero…do some good!

(photo by Eric Johnson) Lori Blanton, case manager for the Salvation Army, stands in the a store room at the Salvation Army that sits low on food items. The Salvation Army, a source for those in need, has now found itself in need, partly because of the struggling economy.

I was in high school, maybe college, before I realized that there was something known as a vintage doll community.  In it, the most avid of collectors often pay top dollar to add old Barbies and baby dolls to their collections.

By the time I was graduating college, some of the dolls I’d played with as a child were increasing in value.  Certainly though, after the many home haircuts and make-up experiments I’d put my dollsthrough as a child, they wouldn’t be worth anything to a collector.

But for those who held on to their childhood toys, keeping the packaging sometimes and ensuring their pristine condition, it can be an opportunity to do some good for others.

A Times Union article tells the Seventh Annual “Every Doll Needs A Home” Doll Auction.  The event supports The Salvation Army’s Evangeline Booth Miracle Home in New York, an emergency homeless shelter for women and their children, and this year 110 different dolls will be auctioned off.

Scheduled for next week, Thursday, September 24th, dolls are expected to go at prices anywhere from $2 to $200 and the proceeds go directly to maintaining upkeep at the Booth home and educational programs to help the women who stay there improve their lives.

I hadn’t the foresight – or the patience – to preserve my dolls as a child, but it’s encouraging to see that others are putting their collections to good use.

Do you have a unique collection or talent that you think could do some good for The Army?  Put it to use and do some good for someone else!