The Salvation Army Family Store

With 115 beds, The Merkle Center of Hope provides emergency shelter and temporary housing for single women, women with children, single men and Veterans. These emergency programs are designed to empower residents to regain their independence and return to being self-sufficient members of our community. This support system consists of on-site case management, 24-hour, 7-days a week staff supervision and security monitoring, 2 meals per day plus snacks and on-site laundry services. Additionally, the department offers life -skills services to assists shelter residents with day-to-day care and services. In order to enhance our residents opportunities to succeed, we partner with community agencies that make additional services available as needed.
 
Eligibility
- Individuals or families that meet the Federal U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Criteria for Homelessness are eligible for assistance.
- All Clients must have a photo I.D. and can stay up to 30 consecutive days in the Emergency Shelter.
- Residences must leave the building by 8:00am Monday Friday. The Shelter reopens at 4:00 pm. (Exceptions, clients enrolled in the Veterans Assistance Program, appointment with Case Manager or resting between verified work schedules.) The Emergency Shelter is closed Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Discrimination is strictly prohibited. No one is declined services based on neither race nor religion. Worship services are available to residents but attendance is not required.
- ZERO TOLERANCE Drug and Alcohol Policy. All residents are required to take a breathalyzer test whenever they come into the building. If they cannot pass the test, they are immediately terminated from the shelter. Drug tests are also required. If a resident fails a drug test they are terminated from the shelter.
 
Other Shelter Rules
- All residents are expected to do chores.
- All medication must be turned in at the front desk at the time of admission, failing to do so could result in the residences stay being terminated.

The Merkle Center of Hope is supported by the generous donations caring individuals and organizations throughout the community including The Merkle Foundation, The Grayson Foundation, The United Way, The Community Foundation, The JB Adkins Foundation, The Tatum Foundation, City of Shreveport and the Caddo Commissiion.