Serving Dodge City, Kansas for More Than a Century

For more than 100 years, The Salvation Army has served the Dodge City community, providing practical assistance, affordable goods and a welcoming church community to individuals and families in need.

Today, Lieutenant Marcelo Marin and his wife, Solange, serve as Corps Officers in Dodge City, continuing that longstanding mission.

“The Dodge City Corps is a tremendous treasure to the community,” said Lt. Marcelo.

With a population of approximately 35,000 people, Dodge City is a close-knit community where many residents work in the area’s meat and cheese processing industries. Some arrive in Dodge City for work with few resources and little more than what they brought with them. For those individuals and families, The Salvation Army provides support as they establish a new life in the community.

The Dodge City Corps offers a variety of social services, including food, utility and rental assistance. Among the greatest needs is access to food. The Corps operates its food pantry Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., serving approximately 30 families each day.

Another important part of The Salvation Army’s ministry is its thrift store. To better meet the needs of the growing community, The Salvation Army recently opened a new, larger thrift store, which is now serving customers and families throughout Dodge City.

The store provides affordable clothing, furniture and household goods, but its impact goes beyond retail. Individuals who come to Dodge City with little or nothing can visit The Salvation Army’s social services office and, when eligible, receive vouchers for clothing, household goods and other necessities from the thrift store at no cost.

Through donated goods, community support and the new thrift store, The Salvation Army can turn generosity into practical assistance for neighbors who need it most.

Beyond meeting physical needs, the Dodge City Corps also serves as a church, providing worship, programs and opportunities for people to find community and spiritual support.

With the new thrift store now open and additional opportunities to grow its ministry, Marcelo is excited about what lies ahead for The Salvation Army in Dodge City.

“We are excited for the future of The Salvation Army here in Dodge City,” he said.

After more than a century of service, the Dodge City Corps continues to look toward that future while remaining committed to what has always been at the heart of its mission: serving neighbors in need and strengthening the community it calls home.