• Christopher McGown

Salvation Army Meets Evolving Needs Throughout Kentucky & Tennessee

Numerous locations within the Kentucky & Tennessee Division are reporting moderate to severe damage resulting from the recent storms—tornado, water, and hail damage.  As a result, emergency disaster teams in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Georgia have been activated to provide food, drinks, and emotional/spiritual care in the impact areas.    While the first wave of Salvation Army staff & volunteers are meeting those needs, others throughout Kentucky & Tennessee are making preparations for future deployment.

This future deployment might come in the form of reinforcements in existing relief operations; but we are also keeping a watchful eye on the need for deployment throughout the two states, especially in areas at risk for flooding.

Status of Operations:

Location specific reports are as follows:

South  Central Tennessee

Incident Commander - John Diliberto
            Chattanooga, TN

Five (5) Salvation  Army Canteens – mobile feeding kitchens – are serving throughout greater Chattanooga, including Dade, Walker, and Catoosa Counties in Georgia. 

Within hours of the passing of the tornados, the Salvation Army was at work providing food, snacks, and drinks, along with basic staples such as batteries, candles, flashlights.   In addition, there is counseling through trained Emotional & Spiritual Care staff.  

Hundreds of hot meals, refreshing drinks and comforting conversations have been provided to those impacted by the disaster, as well as those serving.

Cleveland, TN

With the help of 246 volunteers—giving a combined 1,163hours—2531 meals were served.  These meals were provided at our main facility, as well as those delivered to survivors unable to come in.  We had 44 teams go out into 16 areas of our city and county, passing out water, sack lunches/dinners.

Through local support, additional tangible distribution to survivors will also include: water, baby diapers, soaps, shampoos, bread, & candy.  

Murfreesboro, TN
Incident Commander - Lt. Joe Crawford
Utilizing the Salvation Army facility, impacted residents will be able to get a hot, nutritious meal.    To assist in the recovery efforts, clean up kits—which contain such cleaning basics as a mop, bucket, cleaning agents, sponges, masks, and gloves—are being distributed.

Northwest Tennessee

Incident Commander - Major Pat Bowman

Dyersburg, TN

Even with the increasingly positive reports, Salvation Army staff continues to monitor both the raising water levels and the integrity of the local levee.  Salvation Army has pre-positioned supplies and trained staff to respond should the situation warrant it.

Union City, TN

Salvation Army staff and volunteers are serving residents of Tiptonville, Tennessee who have been evacuated to Union City.  Trained, dedicated volunteers are working with local church groups to prepare and distribute hot meals to those impacted by the flooding.   Additionally, sack meals are being distributed to those who were unable to evacuate.

Clarksville, TN
Incident Commander - Major Gary Bergen
In the face of personal loss, Salvation Army officers are providing service to individuals affected by the recent storms.   While the food and drinks are the most visible aspect of the effort, the greatest impact is often unseen; that of emotional and spiritual care for the community.

Greenville, TN
Incident Commander – Major Gary Elliott
Hot meals are provided through two canteens—mobile kitchen—which have been deployed to serve those impacted by the storm.  Hot meals are being served from the Mobile Kitchen Unit and additional support vehicles are roving the affected area and providing snacks, beverages, spiritual support care, as well steering individuals to the canteen locations.  

Bristol, TN/VA & Washington County, VA

Incident Commander – Major Jerry Mullins

The Salvation Army has deployed a mobile feeding unit to serve on the front line of those impacted by the storms.  Salvation Army staff and volunteers have provided food, snacks, and drinks to survivors and responders.   In addition, water is being widely distributed to the community.

Memphis, TN

Incident Commander- Major Mark Woodcock
The Salvation Army of Memphis has served breakfast, lunch and dinner in conjunction with the Emergency Operations Center.   In additional, snacks, drinks, and meals were provided to those in staging areas as government and Salvation Army personnel monitor flood potential.   With more than 600 meals provided—and double that number in snacks and drinks—Salvation Army efforts are an important asset in the greater Memphis area.

Paducah, KY
Incident Commander- Capt. Nick Garrison
The Salvation Army of Paducah is providing meals, beverages and support for the local shelter in place for evacuees who have been displaced due to extensive flooding.  Preparations are also being made to support sandbagging efforts with the threat of rising water.   

Henderson, KY
Current Incident Commander - Major Stewart
The Salvation Army of Henderson is currently assessing potential flood damage.  The accumulation of hundreds of meals served to the communities impacted by recent storms is straining the resources of the local Salvation Army.

Louisville, KY
Incident Commander – Major Keath Biggers
Canteens and support crew are prepared to serve should the feared flooding take place.

For the latest news about Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services or to make a donation in the support of survivors of this massive storm, please visit:   www.disaster.SalvationArmyUSA.org.  You can also call 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769).  When making your contribution, please be sure indicate “April 2011 Storm Relief”

You may also text GIVE to 80888 to make a $10.00 contribution to the relief effort.   The donation will appear on your next phone bill.

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For images of canteens, clean-up kits, etc., please visit www.TSA.ms/edsinfo

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.