Salvation Army Expands Services in Panama City

October 27, 2018
Alexandra Hackett Ferber | Alexandra.Ferber@USE.SalvationArmy.Org | (215) 307-0648

Salvation Army Expands Services in Panama City

Panama City, FL (October 27, 2018) - The Salvation Army continues to expand relief efforts in Panama City 16 days following its initial response to Hurricane Michael. Up to this point, the operation has focused on meeting immediate needs with hot meals, water, snacks and emotional and spiritual care for residents impacted by the storm.

The Salvation Army is providing an average of 13,000 meals a day, currently utilizing 21 canteens (mobile feeding units) at locations across the region. To date, 210,400 meals have been served to those in need across Bay, Washington and Holmes Counties since October 11.

The Salvation Army’s Panama City Incident Command is broadening its services into the hard-hit communities of Bayou George, Callaway and Sandy Creek. It has partnered with the city to provide hot meals at five “comfort stations.” It is also now distributing hygiene kits, MRE’s (meals-ready-to-eat), food boxes, cleaning supplies and tarps.

The Salvation Army is assessing needs throughout the community utilizing a multi-pronged approach. It is receiving requests from state and county officials to provide service in additional areas that have not seen any relief. It is also dispatching teams of personnel into new neighborhoods with items such as MRE’s to make contact with residents, learn about their specific challenges and determine how The Salvation Army can address those needs.

Nearly 200 Salvation Army volunteers, staff and officers from across the US, Canada and Bermuda have participated in local relief efforts since October 11. An additional 15 volunteers are arriving this weekend to bolster support, including six CERT workers (Community Emergency Response Team) out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

“We’re prepared for a marathon, not a sprint. Recovering from this storm may take years,” said Bob Myers, Panama City Incident Commander.   “The Salvation Army is prepared to stay for as long as it takes until the need is met.”

In Response to Hurricane Michael in Panama City, The Salvation Army has provided:

  • 210,400 meals
  • 124,500 drinks (water, coffee & Gatorade etc.)
  • 94,600 snacks (chips, nuts etc.)
  • 3,000 MRE’s (meals ready-to-eat)
  • 300 food boxes
  • 1,000 hygiene kits
  • 13,000+ Emotional & Spiritual Care contacts with survivors
  • 82 personnel on the ground – including Salvation Army officers, employees & volunteers

To help support the disaster relief work of The Salvation Army, donations can be made at www.helpsalvationarmy.org, by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY, by texting STORM to 51555, or by check (designated “2018 Hurricane Season - Michael”) mailed to PO Box 1959, Atlanta, GA 30301

 

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.

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The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.
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