Salvation Army of Carson City, Douglas County sets open house to promote services

The Salvation Army of Carson City and Douglas County is holding an open house Oct. 24 to spread the word about its services.

The group moved a year ago into its new, bigger location at 911 E. 2nd St. where it offers a food bank with new commercial-size refrigerator, church services, and youth programs.

“We want to raise awareness about what we do here and try to get people involved,” said Christie Contreras, office coordinator.

The organization is looking for volunteers for a variety of tasks.

“We are very flexible, we try to do something with whatever time somebody has and to match up their skill set and what they enjoy doing,” said Contreras.

During the school year, the Salvation Army runs two youth programs.

The morning latchkey program, which is currently full, takes in children from three schools starting at 6:30 a.m. until the start of school. The afterschool program offers kids a place until 6 p.m. where they can do homework, snack and create crafts. That program also takes kids all day on professional development days for school staff and early on early release days.

The Salvation Army also houses a food bank and offers church services and recently hosted the survivors’ dinner for the Relay for Life fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.

The new location, formerly a bank, is lacking a commercial kitchen. Right now, any prepared food is made in the organization’s emergency disaster vehicle or at its old location on Colorado Street, which is for sale.

The group hopes to eventually expand the 8,000-square-foot building on 2nd Street to add a kitchen and space for its worship services so the large room it uses now doesn’t have to double as a chapel and as space for its youth program.

So far, its capital campaign has raised $634,000 out of a needed $1.5 million to purchase the building and renovate it.

The open house will include lunch and the group’s advisory board and staff will be on hand to answer any questions.

The event is Oct. 24, noon to 1 p.m., at the Salvation Army, 911 E. 2nd St.