Dallas, TX (September 11, 2011) – Salvation Army staff and volunteers continue to serve in Central Texas communities that have been devastated by wildfires during the last seven days. The Bastrop County fire, that has so far destroyed 1,554 homes, was reported to be 50% contained, Sunday.
Since Thursday, The Salvation Army has provided 9,421 drinks, 2,246 snacks and 398 meals in Bastrop County. Mobile feeding units continued to support firefighters through Saturday although Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) forces are now assuming responsibility for feeding centers in the area.
The Salvation Army in Austin has completed a two-day campaign, partnering with Walmart and local NBC affiliate KXAN, providing donation centers where staff and volunteers collected household items, cleaning supplies, first aid and medial supplies, toiletries, diapers and other basic necessities. Staff reported that locations remained busy through Saturday as Austin residents and area businesses gave generously, including an 18-wheeler filled with non-perishables from Austin construction firm J.D. Abrams, in support of those who have lost so much. Donations were accepted at seven Walmart stores, who graciously provided trucks to collect and transport the donations, including a collection point at the store in Bastrop.
Major John Carter, Austin Area Commander for The Salvation Army, spent several hours supporting the efforts in Bastrop. He commented, “It was inspiring to meet people who stopped to donate despite being personally affected by the wildfires. I spoke with several people who still didn’t know if their homes had been lost, yet wanted to give what they could in support of others in their community.”
As part of the second phase of their wildfire response The Salvation Army is working to secure a warehouse that will serve as the distribution point for donated items. Walmart trucks will deliver the items to the warehouse before being unloaded and sorted by volunteers in preparation for distribution to wildfire survivors.
The Salvation Army is committed to serve the people of Bastrop County and will remain there as long as needed.
Monetary donations to support The Salvation Army Texas Wildfire Relief can be made by:
· MAIL – please send checks to The Salvation Army, PO Box 36607, Dallas, TX 75235
· PHONE at 1-800-SAL-ARMY
· ONLINE at www.salvationarmytexas.org
For more information about The Salvation Army’s disaster response effort, please go to www.Facebook.com/SalvationArmyTexas, www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org, or www.salvationarmytexas.org.
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for 130 years in the United States. 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. 82 cents of every dollar spent is used to carry out those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.
About The Salvation Army