The Salvation Army

Feb 4th, 2024

Jan 23rd, 2024

As I write this: This location no longer accepts any donations except for money. They no longer do social services; housing applications, bill assistance, food boxes, etc. They no longer feed the public as as May 2022. It costs $12 per night stay no matter what even if its the very first time you ever stay. The Salvation Army refers to it as a donation. Major Shafer is fully in charge of telling their employees to do a cold weather free night yet hasn't done so for the 4-6 nights of 36F or below Alexandria LA has had so far this year, even on the back to back nights. This location in the past has always been known for doing cold weather stays on every night when its 40F or below..not just 36F or below on 2 or more consecutive nights. Salvation Army policy states on all 4 websites; USA, Regional, ALM Division, and Alexandria specific that 36F or below 2 or more consecutive nights that no one will be turned away. They are turning people away. Major Shafer was on the news, KALB, Nov 30, 2023 doing nothing but avoiding directly answering questions choosing instead to repeatedly plug a QR code for monetary donations. The new location on Murray St. will not be housing homeless men. He neglected to say that during the interview. The Beauregard St. location, when it closes when the new location opens, where will the homeless men go? Major Shafer also incorrectly stated how many men stay there when asked how the money is spent. Its less than 20 actual homeless men, not 30 or more. The veterans housed there are contracted to stay there through the Veterans Association. Any money given to the Red Kettle or that QR code is given to the Salvation Army as a whole in a general fund account, and is later budgeted out. It is up to headquarters to decide if or how much of that goes to Alexandria. The previous administration, Major Williford, did away with bad weather free nights, meaning a tornado can be ripping through Alexandria and people will be turned away unless they have $12 to donate for a nights stay. The best way you can donate to actually help both the Alexandria location and Alexandria homeless, is to go there yourself and offer to donate the $12 per night for the men staying there, get a donation receipt for it, and see if they will let you donate for nights for those that have been put out for lack of $12. If you decide to help someone on the street by bringing them there and donating for them, be sure they have not been drinking. The Salvation Army has a 0 tolerance for alcohol and they breathalyze everyone staying. Has to be perfect 0's, even if its a cold night or bad weather night. Any number other than 0 they will send them away back into the weather. Another way to help the Alexandria homeless directly is to have the employees call everyone out and actually hand them what you would like to give them in person since the Alexandria location no longer takes donations except for money. Don't be fooled, ask direct questions and get direct answers. If you don't believe me please go there and ask every person you see there, employee, veteran, and homeless alike. Straight from the horses mouth. Merry Christmas, Happy New Years, and God bless. May this information help this place run properly again. Doing the most good....for whom?
Nov 19th, 2023

Oct 22nd, 2023

"DREAM" HELP OTHER'S WHOLE HEARTLY
Aug 19th, 2023