In 2007, The Waco Salvation Army was operating a community feeding program out of one side of its newly vacated thrift store building, and had been providing a men’s shelter for many years in the yellow house located behind the old thrift store building.  After visiting with city and community representatives, the Salvation Army began the “Women and Women with Children Gap Program”.  This program was specifically designed to “fill the gap” in immediate emergency shelter for women and children, that exists in the Waco/McLennan County community.  It provided short-term, emergency stays in local hotels until the women could be directed to agencies and/or programs that could provide more long term aid and solutions towards achieving Housing stability.

The feeding program, operating 365 days a year, began serving an average of 100 meals per day to those in need, growing to the current level of  over 50,000 meals per year – with a significant increase in meals provided to children and seniors.   The men’s shelter was called upon on a regular basis to provide extended stay shelter for veterans until space was available at the Veterans Administration, and it became apparent, that the need for the “gap” program for women and women with children  was increasing and needed more residential stability than hotel and meal vouchers could provide.  In 2009 The Salvation Army met with the City of Waco, The McLennan County Hunger Coalition, The McLennan County Homeless Coalition, private individuals, corporate and other agency’s representatives to discuss how The Salvation Army in Waco, could most effectively utilize its current facilities, programs and services, to respond to the increasing need in our area for food and shelter for the homeless and severely at risk population.   In response, the vision for a fully operational Salvation Army Community Kitchen, Red Shield Men’s Lodge and Sally’s House – Shelter for Women and Women with Children, was conceived and set into motion.

In addition, upon completion of the Red Shield Men’s Lodge, the current men’s shelter will be designated “Sally’s House” and be able to immediately provide emergency shelter for Women and Women with Children.  Up to 17 individuals housed in four rooms will be able to receive shelter, with two rooms dedicated to Women with Children, one room dedicated for extended stay for up to five female veterans, and one room reserved for up to five emergency stay women.  Future plans for Sally’s House include renovations that will create 4 extended stay, private entrance apartments for Women and Women with children.

The current anticipated timeline for completion of the Community Kitchen and Red Shield Men’s Lodge is early in September 2010.  At that time “Sally’s House” will immediately be able to house emergency stay women, women veterans, and one family.