HARRISONBURG, VA (Rocktown Now) — The Salvation Army first established a presence in Harrisonburg 100 years ago on June 28, 1925. Over all those years, the local corps has remained grounded in the organization’s core mission: inspired by Christian faith, it aims to “preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs … without discrimination.”

Though the community of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County has changed dramatically since 1925, the guiding principles of compassion, practical care, and hope have endured.

What They Do: Programs & Services

The Salvation Army of Harrisonburg, sometimes referred to as the “Harrisonburg Corps”, offers a broad range of programs tailored to local needs.

  • Housing & Emergency Shelter: They operate a “Family Services and Emergency Shelter” on Jefferson Street — a 40-bed facility open to individuals, couples, and families facing crisis.
  • Residents may stay up to 90 days if they have employment (or SSI/Disability), or 30 days otherwise. Intake begins daily at 4:00 pm; evening meals are served at 5:00 pm.
  • Food assistance: Their food pantry is open three days a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 9:00 am to 11:45 am).
  • Emergency & disaster services: When disasters strike — whether natural or personal — they offer vouchers and gift cards for essentials like food, clothing, cleaning supplies, baby and childcare items; coordinate donation distribution; and work in long-term recovery and community resilience efforts.
  • Weekly Community & Spiritual Life: They hold worship services (Sunday at 10:00 am) and run other community ministries including youth programs, “Kids Club,” music & arts, and various social service supports tied to their Christian mission.

Community Support & Giving

The work of The Salvation Army in Harrisonburg is made possible largely through community generosity — donations of money, time (volunteers), goods, and services.

They also offer a number of ways for supporters to give from one-time donations to planned giving (stocks, bonds, IRA rollovers) or even sponsoring beds at the shelter.

In addition, local community drives — such as food drives run by volunteer families — partner with the Harrisonburg Corps to collect items that help stock the food pantry and support people in need.

Why It Matters

In a region like Harrisonburg and Rockingham County — where people are drawn by employment opportunities and quality of life, but some arrive without housing or savings — the role of The Salvation Army is especially vital.

For many, it provides a “hand up, not a hand-out” — offering shelter, food, case-management support, spiritual care, and connection to community resources. It offers both immediate relief (shelter, food, emergency assistance) and longer-term support (case management, referrals, stability).

As one long-time local family puts it, volunteering with the Corps has become an intergenerational tradition — and a way to give back to the community that gave so much to them.

Looking Ahead

With ongoing support from residents, donors, volunteers, and community partners, The Salvation Army in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County remains positioned to respond to evolving needs, whether homelessness, hunger, disaster relief, or simply providing a safe place for someone to cool off on a hot day.

If you’re in the area and want to help, whether through donations, volunteering, or spreading the word, the Harrisonburg Corps remains a strong, active, and deeply rooted pillar of community care and compassion.