The Salvation Army has sent out bus tickets by mail to donors and partners that can be given to homeless people in lieu of cash.
It is not a bus ticket out of town, but rather one to the Center of Hope, located at 1384 Greene Street, where the homeless can find food, shelter and be offered a path forward to get off the streets.
Salvation Army officials hope that business owners, especially in downtown, the area of Washington Road near I-20 and Peach Orchard at Bobby Jones and other areas frequented by homeless people will keep the tickets on hand for those who need help.
“It is my hope that the community will embrace this effort. Anyone can get tickets at the Kroc Center to hand out. Giving a homeless person cash will, maybe, feed them for a day. Giving them one of these tickets is giving them a path that can put them on the road to re-engage with society. It can be a lifeline,” Derek Dugan, director of development for the Salvation Army,, said.
The tickets can be used on any city bus and will take the individual to the Center of Hope where they will receive lodging for the night, a warm meal and access to professional help that might allow them to get out of the homeless lifestyle.
Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson is fully supportive of the initiative.
“The Salvation Army is taking a proactive approach and we all need to support them. No one in Augusta Georgia has to remain homeless, no one,” Johnson said.
Scott Hudson is the Senior Investigative Reporter and Editorial Page Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com
