The Salvation Army’s El Paso County corps will hold a community-wide “Be the Hope” open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday at its Family Hope Center, a shelter for homeless families, at 709 S. Sierra Madre St.

The public event will include food, activities and games as part of The Salvation Army’s “Hope Needs Help” fundraising campaign to reduce a large budget deficit.

A portion of proceeds from food truck purchases at the open house will benefit The Salvation Army’s programs, and attendees also will be able to make donations on-site to help close a more than $1 million gap in the budget for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1.

Officials from the local church, which among its charitable services runs Colorado Springs’ primary emergency overnight shelter for homeless families, said three weeks ago that the budget shortfall will have an immediate effect.

Half of the 31 separate sleeping units for parents with children will close at the Family Hope Center, and 13 employees are being laid off, said Maj. Stephen Ball, who leads local operations.

Parents with children can stay at the center for up to three months while receiving support services and working on a plan to become self-sufficient and securely housed once again.

Contact the writer: 719-476-1656.