The Salvation Army’s local homeless shelter is starting off the New Year with a generous grant award from the American Electric Power (AEP) Foundation. Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO), an AEP company, will present a $50,000 check on behalf of the AEP Foundation to the Salvation Army tomorrow, Thursday, January 31st, at 11:00am at 200 E. Stoner Avenue in Shreveport.
Merkle Center of Hope is open year-round to provide shelter to those who are homeless. In recent days the facility has been a warm refuge from the frigid winter temperatures in the area. “This generous contribution will go a long way in helping to meet the basic needs of the veterans, men, women and children staying at our shelter. A night stay includes a bed to sleep in, hot meals and a place to take a shower in a safe, comfortable environment,” says Major Whitney Morton, Corps Officer, The Salvation Army of Northwest Louisiana.
“SWEPCO is proud to partner with the Salvation Army and support programs to meet our communities’ most basic needs – food and housing,” said Brian Bond, SWEPCO vice president of External Affairs. “It’s an amazing opportunity for us to engage and assist an organization that does so much for Northwest Louisiana.”
Locally, SWEPCO has been a supporter of Salvation Army programs. They sponsor the annual purse auction and partnered with the non-profit during the holidays for the Trees of Hope charity
tree contest. You can learn more about Merkle Center of Hope on The Salvation Army’s website, http://salvationarmyalm.org/shreveport/merkle-center/.
