Salvation Army expanding with Center of Hope Project

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We’ve all seen the bright red signs and kettle campaigns of the Salvation Army. The popular thrift stores are scattered across America, and there are plenty in Southwest Florida.

But they are more than a big box store of bargains.

They’re a community tool that helps folks get on their feet. They offer job assistance, resume help, training courses and more.

Thursday night will be the last town hall meeting before construction begins for the Center of Hope in Fort Myers.

This $7.5 million project includes a storm shelter, resource center for the incarcerated and more family housing.

It is designed to be part of the Fort Myers mid-town revitalization plan, and crews are expected to start building the center in January.

Once done, it will offer 225 new shelter spaces for people experiencing homelessness in Lee, Hendry and Glades counties.

Salvation Army Major Ethan Frizzell said this project will help not just those in need but also the whole community.

The state did provide money to the Salvation Army as part of this project to build a hardened shelter for future storms.

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