The Salvation Army’s Schuylkill Service Center of Tamaqua recently opened a permanent office at 46 Mauch Chunk St.

From it, they’ll continue to offer services such as food, clothing and emergency assistance, explained Jael Houser, caseworker and program facilitator.

“We are encouraging more walk-ins than calls now that we have the office,” she said.

There’s a seating area, and Houser said they’ll add toys so children can play while their parents are being assisted.

“This way, we can get to know the families more on a family-related basis,” Houser said.

Plans are to add a small clothing closet that will be outfitted with clothes based on the season, as well as a small emergency food pantry with nonperishable items, she said.

The service center will continue to partner with the American Primitive Methodist Church on Hunter Street for its food distributions.

The nonprofit most recently operated from the Tamaqua Historical Society Museum on West Broad Street.

The Salvation Army previously had a community center at 105 W. Broad St. in Tamaqua. It opened in the summer of 2000, and within its 6,000 feet boasted a gymnasium and multipurpose room, chapel, cafe, reception area, offices and a commercial kitchen.

When the corps began transitioning from a community center to a service center in February 2021, it announced that it would sell the community center. Perla Enterprises bought the property in May.

Houser said the new site at Suite 1 will be open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The new location, which will soon have outdoor signage, may be reached at 570-668-0410 or SATamaqua@gmail.com.

The service center continues meeting the community’s needs by working with volunteers and networking with Eastern Pennsylvania Salvation Army programs.

Additional services include rent, utility, disaster and transient assistance, as well as seasonal programs throughout the year.