HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – The small Salvation Army Shelter on Seventh Street tends to go unnoticed in downtown Hopkinsville, but they are doing their best to help the homeless community in a big way.
A tour of the facility reveals the limited resources this shelter is working with. Built in the early 1970’s, the building contains thirty beds spread through 5 different areas. There is a men’s dorm with multiple bunk bends, and separate rooms for women and families. An outdoor area, and items organized on dressers help make it feel like home for those who need it.
Shelters across the county are seeing more people than ever, “Everyone has seen an increase. Everyone. Even places that don’t have shelters….they are seeing an increase in street homeless.”, said Alisa Barton, the Director of Social Services at the shelter.
Contrary to what people may think, intake numbers are very high all year, regardless of weather or season. During the summer especially, more unhoused people are traveling through cities. The shelter has to regularly turn people away and have expanded over the years by converting community rooms into more bedrooms.
How you can help
“Hopkinsville is very generous during the holidays for sure, but we operate 365. We do need that support year round.”, Alisa said. The shelter is always accepting donations and community help. Bath towels are among the items they are constantly in need of. Donations are generally higher as the holiday’s get closer, but the shelter stands all year.
The Salvation Army continually does outreach to the unhoused people of Hopkinsville who are unable to stay at the shelter, and provide programs to help people get more permanent housing. They also open their warming shelter when temperatures get extreme during the winter.
Volunteers are always welcome, especially for preparing and serving meals. Get in contact with the Salvation Army Shelter and find out how you can help on their website.