SAN ANTONIO — Volunteers with the Salvation Army in San Antonio are out in full force helping keep the homeless population warm and fed during the arctic blast.
On Sunday, they took out their mobile feeding truck to deliver hot meals and give out blankets to warming centers and homeless encampments.
“It’s about taking care of the people who need the help the most,” Brad Mayhar said.
Mayhar said they are also trying to add more beds to the emergency family shelter and the men’s shelter. Both are almost at capacity.
“Between the two shelters, we’re serving well over 200 homeless individuals each night,” Mayhar said.
He said that is why it was important they found a way to help even more people throughout the city.
“We take our services on the road in times like this,” Mayhar said.
He said it is important to take care of a community that is often forgotten.
“It can literally be a matter of life and death,” He said.
But, if someone comes by one of their two shelters, they won’t be turned away.
“Anytime the temperatures reach freezing or below, we don’t want to turn away empty handed, that’s why we give them the option to stay in our lobby, making sure they have a blanket,” Mayhar said.
He said they are able to do what they do because of the community’s help. He encourages anyone who can donate to consider helping the Salvation Army.
“If someone asks, what does a homeless person look like? I say, look in the mirror because it can be anyone,” Mayhar said.
The Salvation Army is also helping facilitate free transportation to warming centers for people in need. If you would like to donate blankets or winter gear, you can drop it off at 515 W. Elmira. You can also donate online.