Salvation Army social services in Sullivan County Tennessee.
Serving the low income as well as working poor in Sullivan County Tennessee, the Salvation Army can offer both emergency financial help as well as social services. The charity is a Christian organization, but people of all ages, races, and religions may be able to get help. Any support is only offered to people that meet income criteria and the aid provided depends on resources being available.
The two centers in the region support all communities, including Blountville, Bristol, and the parts of Kingsport that are based in Sullivan County. Even if a family is not in the service area of this Salvation Army center, the staff can offer referrals to other local agencies as well.
There are basic needs and seasonal support arranged. Those are open for applications at certain times of the year, such as Toys for Tots in October or back to school supplies in the summer.
-Toys for Tots – The Center of Hope provides qualified applications free Christmas presents.
-Students from low income families in Sullivan County may be given clothes or supplies (such as backpacks or notebooks) using this free Salvation Army program.
-The on-site soup kitchen can serve Easter, Thanksgiving, or Christmas lunches.
The Social Service Office, such as the one in Kingsport, is where any emergency financial help, or even food, is given from. The Sullivan County Salvation Army case workers will listen to what a client needs and give suggestions. This is done in a non-judgmental manner.
When the office is able to help, they may give a small, emergency box of groceries. Or there may be a few dollars available as a form of financial aid, and that money can help with rent payments, utilities, and other bills. Another service will be clothing for work reasons, such as an upcoming job interview.
The Social Service office is limited in both funding and hours that it is open. An appointment will be required. The funding, especially for expenses such as rent to stop homelessness or an energy bill, comes and goes throughout the year. So many people may be turned away, but referrals can be given.
One focus of social services is on helping veterans. There is everything from free transportation to a job interview to grants to help pay for housing expenses, and those programs include HUD –VASH or Shelter Plus. There are also life skills classes, furniture for a house, and more. This is paid for using a federal government grant program.
There is also a shelter that is open year round. The phone number for this Sullivan County Salvation Army service is (423) 390-4257. The location has a daily check in process in place, up until when the shelter is full. It is available for men, children, women, and others that are sleeping in an unsafe environment.
The center will not only give the person a bed to sleep on, but they can benefit from other programs at the shelter. This includes a hot meal, free clothes, and most importantly, support in ending a cycle of homelessness. The Salvation Army staff will review what other types of transitional housing may be a good fit for the client.
The Kingsport Salvation Army soup kitchen is also available for Sullivan County residents. It will not turn anyone away from the daily lunch, which is served 7 days per week. While the soup kitchen never should be relied on for long term nutritional needs, the volunteers and donations that keep it operating can offer a quick meal. While there, they can also learn about other USDA feeding programs, receive counseling, and other support.
There are really two main Salvation Army centers to try in Sullivan County. They include the following. Each focuses on residents that live near it. The site at 137 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Bristol, TN 37620, and this phone number is 423.764.6156. The shelter and financial aid is available from 1409 East Stone Dr., Kingsport, Tennessee 37660, and the intake line is 423.247.8154.
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