Groundbreaking at First Homeless Shelter in Bell County

A groundbreaking ceremony was held Monday in Temple for the new Salvation Army McLane Center of Hope.

The 22,000 square foot, 100 bed facility located on the corner of West Avenue G and 9th Street will be the only homeless shelter between Waco and Austin. It will offer meals, a library and life and job skills training.

The McLane family were on hand to break ground on the center which finally met its goal of raising $4 million after the McLanes donated $1 million earlier this month. However, Captain Bill Shafer, Temple Corps Officer for the Salvation Army, says the organization still needs to raise $600,000 in order to finish the facility and a sister facility planned for construction across the street.

The Salvation Army says the McLane Center of Hope could open as soon as February of 2015.