The Salvation Army's Texarkana shelter provides a roof over the head and a comfortable place to stay for those who find themselves in a bad spot in life. They also provide meals regularly to the community. And around the holidays, notably Thanksgiving and Christmas, they turn out a fantastic feast, in which the community is invited to participate, both in serving and in dining.
"A meal like this has to be planned two weeks in advance," said Shirley Houff, part-time cook and kitchen manager for the shelter. "Generally, we plan for around 250 people to eat, both residents and community. The meal begins at 4:30 p.m. on Christmas Day and runs to 6. The meal is free for all diners."
Houff does most of the cooking, though various organizations serve and bring food as well as staff.
"Churches come to help us, both in food and volunteers. In addition, we get food from local grocery stores, restaurants and individual volunteers," she said. "We serve great food here and if you need a good meal on the holidays, you won't find a better place to get one."
Houff has been running the kitchen for a year and a half but has been working with The Salvation Army of Texarkana for close to 20 years.
Vicki Laner, a part-time worker with the shelter who handles monitor duty, is one of the staff who helps provide front-door security to the shelter, making sure those who enter the place are going to help maintain the peace and safety inside.
"We don't allow those who are drunk or high," she said. "We even have the ability to give Breathalyzers and drug tests. If you break the rules, you are out. We even keep a list of troublemakers who aren't allowed back into the shelter."
Laner said the shelter is busy around this time of year.
"Lots of people show up, people in need. Many of those who come to us around the holidays don't have families or a place to go. It breaks your heart. If you have a heart, you can't help but sympathize with people in these circumstances. I've been working class all my life and one paycheck away from this kind of situation. Lots of people out there are like that. So you have to have a heart and have to be grateful."
Laner is retired but realized that the retired life is not all it is cracked up to be.
"When you are getting close to retirement, you can't wait until you get there. But retired life for many is trying to think of something to do. It is great to be able to do this," she said. "This place is a blessing for the city and the people. What would we do without The Salvation Army."