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The Salvation Army Mobilizes Emergency Response Teams for Hurrican Isaac
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 29, 2012
The Salvation Army l Cascade Division
8495 SE Monterey Blvd
Happy Valley, OR 97086
(503) 794-3200
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Major Don Gilger
Portland Metro Coordinator
719.201.3215
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Teresa Engel
Director of Communications & Marketing
503.794.3283
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Salvation Army Mobilizes Emergency Response Teams Ahead of Hurrican Isaac
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Mobile Feeding Unites and Kitchen Prepared to Serve more than 31,000 Daily Meals
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(Alexandria, Virginia) - Hurricane Isaac made landfall on southern Louisiana’s coast last night unleashing fierce winds and torrential rain. The Salvation Army is on the ground in the affected areas, prepared to provide food and hydration as well as emotional and spiritual care to anyone impacted by Hurricane Isaac.
“The Salvation Army is mobilized and ready to serve,” said Major George Hood, National Community Relations Secretary for The Salvation Army in the United States. “Our emergency disaster response teams will continue to closely monitor the storm track and utilize our resources to reach survivors and first responders.”
The Salvation Army has 12 mobile feeding units, a fully equipped 54-foot field kitchen, and up to 60 personnel staging in Hattiesburg, MS in advance of Hurricane Isaac, and an additional 12 feeding units are prepared to deploy directly to affected areas immediately following the storm. Located roughly 70 miles inland, Hattiesburg provides a secure location to marshal Salvation Army forces, while also providing access to most coastal areas within two hours. The 24 mobile feeding units and the field kitchen have a combined daily feeding capacity of more than 31,000 meals.
Additionally, The Salvation Army is continuing to prepare for possible impact along the Florida Panhandle. Throughout the state of Florida, The Salvation Army has already provided more than 1,600 meals, 1700 drinks, nearly 300 showers and 550 cases of spiritual and emotional care. Additionally, two mobile feeding units capable of serving 1,000 hot meals and cold bottled water are currently in the Wellington and Lake Worth communities following massive flooding and widespread power outages. The Salvation Army is also supporting first responders and survivors with hydration in downtown Tampa and surrounding areas.
The Salvation Army is also making necessary preparations to have additional personnel trained in spiritual and emotional care on the front lines, recognizing that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder could be a significant problem in these communities. The unexpected nature of a storm, coupled with the stresses of evacuation, financial needs and rebuilding, can leave survivors physically, emotionally and spiritually drained. The Salvation Army’s ministry of presence provides compassionate care to residents looking for hope in the midst of turmoil. Pastoral care is available for all those impacted, but is not a prerequisite for receiving assistance from The Salvation Army.
In addition to food, hydration, and emotional and spiritual care, The Salvation Army is also prepared to provide:
- Clean-up kits containing brooms, mops, buckets and cleaning supplies
- Hygiene kits
- Shower units
- First-aid supplies
- Communications support
The Salvation Army asks people who want to help those affected by this disaster to visit www.salvationarmyusa.org or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769). Donors may also contribute $10 via their phone bill by text messaging the word STORM to 80888, and confirming the donation with the word, “Yes.” Checks may be made out to The Salvation Army Disaster Relief, PO BOX 1959 Atlanta, GA 30301. Please designate "2012 Hurricane Relief" on all checks.
At this point, in-kind donations, such as used clothing and used furniture, are not being accepted for hurricane relief. However, these items are vital to supporting the day-to-day work of your local Salvation Army. Please consider giving these items to your local Salvation Army Family Store or dial 1-800-SA-TRUCK (1-800-728-7825).
For more information on The Salvation Army’s preparation and response to Tropical Storm Isaac, please visit http://blog.salvationarmyusa.org/, www.facebook.com/salvationarmyusa or www.twitter.com/salvationarmyus. |
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the Universal Christian Church, has been supporting those in need in His Name without discrimination since 1865. Nearly 33 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing, shelter and opportunities for underprivileged children. The Salvation Army works in 124 countries worldwide. People wishing to make monetary donations can do so by calling 503-794-3282, or by mail to The Salvation Army, 8495 SE Monterey Avenue #9, Happy Valley, OR 97086.
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