Lawton Salvation Army closes shelter for repairs

The Salvation Army is closing its homeless shelter services starting Saturday until further notice due to significant damage caused by spring storms.

The closure is necessary to complete necessary repairs and upgrades to the facility, according to a press release.

The Salvation Army is working with other organizations to find housing for those in the shelter, according to a press release. At the time of suspension, the maximum occupancy of the shelter was eight people.

Local realtor Brenda Spencer-Ragland, who recently funded the C. Carter Crane Center, said she has started collaborating with them to take some of the homeless into the center, but they’ve hit their max capacity of 28 people.

Spencer-Ragland said either The Salvation Army shelter or the center were going to close. Closing both “would be detrimental,” she said.

A sign on the door of The Salvation Army said that as of today, they will no longer serve dinner. Lunches will be provided from noon-1 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays. Walk-in dinner service will not be available. Captain Bryan Brinlee of the Salvation Army was not available to answer questions about why the number of meals are being reduced.

The closure will not affect other vital services provided by the Salvation Army, the release said. Services such as food and emergency assistance, Bridges Out of Poverty, Boys and Girls Club operations and other incentives will still be available.

“We do recognize the vital role our shelter plays in providing a safe haven for those in need,” Brinlee said. “While repairs and renovations of the shelter take place, we want to remain focused on our programs that continue to make a positive impact on the area such as our Bridges Out of Poverty program, which helps to empower community members with enhanced support to build a confident future.”

For more information about the programs and services available or to donate, call (580) 355-1802 or visit their website at www.salvationarmylawton.org.