Joint effort from two Salvation Army Divisions means hope for SE Texas
Jon Kalahar | jon.kalahar@uss.salvationarmy.org | (601) 941-7779
Lake Charles, LA – What do you get when you combine the letters A-L-M and K-T? For those in Southeast Texas who have seen flood waters rise due to Harvey making landfall a second time, these letters spell H-O-P-E.
Two divisions of The salvation Army, Kentucky-Tennessee and Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi, are combining to provide food, drinks and emotional and spiritual care to hundreds of residents cut off since Wednesday. If they can get there themselves. Interstate 10 from Louisiana to Texas has been close to traffic following the storm.
The Kentucky-Tennessee Division’s, Major Roy Williams says they know their target cities of Beaumont, Texas is without water, and The Salvation Army Corps in Port Authur, Texas has been damaged by water.
“At this point, we are sending one truck to find out what the situation is in Port Authur, Orange and Beaumont,” said Major Williams. “We want to see for ourselves before we deploy the canteens at our disposal.”
For canteen crews, they are ready to get in the effected area and help the residents in need. The Jackson, Mississippi Corps has a canteen and a catering truck in Lake Charles with three crew members. Sherman Sanders, a ten-year employee of the Jackson Corps, says he's prepared to help now, but understands why they are delayed.
“We have to make sure of our safety," said Sanders. “We want to help people, but make sure we have a safe path to them.”
Crew member, Chris White says he and his team want to bring a blessing to those in need after Harvey.
“I haven’t been through what they are going through,” said White. “To help others is a blessing, and just to put a smile on their faces.”
“It’s in our hearts. This could be us one day, and we would want other to help us,” said Sanders.
This team has six feeding trucks to serve those in need.
How People Can Help
The best way to help after a disaster is to make a financial donation. Monetary contributions also support local economies and ensure that businesses can operate when relief supplies diminish.
Online: helpsalvationarmy.org
Donate By Phone: 1-800-SAL-ARMY
Mail Checks to:
The Salvation Army PO Box 1959 Atlanta, GA 30301
Please designate “Hurricane Harvey” on all checks.
Text to Give: STORM to 51555
About The Salvation ArmyThe 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.