Salvation Army crisis center, refuge for Yuba-Sutter families, closing Jan. 31
A Yuba-Sutter Salvation Army crisis center, a refuge for unhoused families in need for more than three decades, is closing its doors Jan. 31, officials at the relief organization announced Friday.
The Depot Family Crisis Center, at 408 J St. in Marysville, opened in 1993 as a transitional shelter for homeless families in Yuba and Sutter counties, serving hundreds of families in the ensuing years. But officials on Friday said the center had become a financial burden after years operating at a deficit.
“The decision wasn’t taken lightly and came after long review,” Yuba-Sutter Corps Capt. Larry Carmichael said. “It’s been a vital resource for the community for a long time.”
The impending closure means eight households and seven individuals will be relocated from the Marysville center.
Carmichael said the Salvation Army is working to place center families in new housing, while others are just beginning that process. He said fewer than 10 employees also will be affected. They will have the opportunity to apply for other positions or transfer to other Salvation Army sites.
In a statement, Salvation Army officials said the decision to close The Depot “follows years of significant financial deficits and mounting facility repair costs,” adding that donor contributions have not kept pace with the rising costs of shelter operations.
“By closing The Depot, The Salvation Army will reduce financial strain and strengthen the sustainability of its core services,” the Friday statement read.
Salvation Army officials in Yuba-Sutter and Sacramento said the organization will continue to offer core services in a community it has served since the 1880s. Carmichael pointed to its food distribution and housing programs.
Some 200,000 hot meals were served and 5,800 food boxes distributed during the last fiscal year, which ended in September. About 380 households received shelter in the same period.
“The Salvation Army has been part of Yuba-Sutter for more than 135 years, and we are not going anywhere,” Carmichael said in a statement announcing the closure. “Our mission remains the same: to meet human need wherever it exists, without discrimination. This transition allows us to continue serving with strength, compassion, and sustainability.”
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