Bismark, ND - May 28, 2011 - The Salvation Army is committed to serving alongside those affected by and responding to the flooding Missouri River in Bismarck, North Dakota, and surrounding areas.
It is predicted that Missouri River flooding may reach levels worse than those of 2009. The river is expected to reach the 18-foot flood stage on June 9th. This level of flooding is expected to continue for a month before the community will be able to “stand down.”
The community is working to build a dike 23 feet high with sandbags. There are currently 10 sandbagging sites, and there is a voluntary evacuation of lower Bismarck and Mandan. More than 600 National Guard members are assigned to assist with these efforts at “Sandbag Central”; 1100 National Guard individuals are on standby.
The Salvation Army has been providing meals, snacks, water, and other services in collaboration with the Red Cross since Wednesday, May 25.
Three Salvation Army mobile kitchens are providing food and hydration to volunteers and relief workers at numerous locations throughout Bismarck and Mandan. As of breakfast Friday, May 27, these canteens have provided meals to more than 1,083 people.
The Red Cross is providing shelter to evacuees.
The Salvation Army of the Twin Cities shipped pallets of water, snacks, and 150 clean-up kits to assist in flood relief efforts.
The Salvation Army is also sending in additional emergency disaster services personnel to assist in Bismarck. A crew from Fargo will support local efforts from May 31-June 15.
It is estimated that The Salvation Army will need at least $180,500 to cover expenses associated with responding to this disaster. This includes the operation of three mobile kitchens, as well as staff overtime.
It costs an estimated $75/hour per mobile kitchen for The Salvation Army to respond to disasters. Final costs are likely to be greater than $151,200 for the 2,016 hours and more of mobile kitchen support that will be required to assist in flood relief efforts.
Monetary donations:
Financial contributions can be made online at www.thesalarmy.org, by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY, or by sending a check to The Salvation Army, 2445 Prior Ave N, Roseville, MN 55113 designated "Flooding”
Donations of used Household Goods and Clothing:
Due to the high expense and time demands associated with delivering your gently-used household goods and clothing (gifts-in-kind), The Salvation cannot guarantee that any individual gifts-in-kind donated now will be sent to the disaster area. In time of disaster, our stores fill these needs from existing, pre-sorted stock. By continuing to donate gently-used household goods to your local Salvation Army store, you not only help your community, you help us prepare for future disaster relief needs. To find your nearest drop-off location, please go to www.satruck.org.
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 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. About 83 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in nearly 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army annually helps more than 30 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction, and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at 7,600 centers of operation around the country. In the first-ever listing of “America’s Favorite Charities” by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Salvation Army ranked as the country’s largest privately funded, direct-service nonprofit. For more information, visit www.SalvationArmyUSA.org. Follow us on Twitter @SalvationArmyUS and #DoingTheMostGood.