• William Hale

The Salvation Army Meets Material, Emotional & Spiritual Needs of Storm Survivors

Atlanta, GA – For the third straight day, Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) personnel are actively serving storm survivors across the southeastern United States.   

Mobile feeding units staffed by trained Salvation Army officers, staff members, and volunteers are offering critical food, beverages, and emotional/spiritual support to the thousands whose lives have been forever changed by one of the deadliest tornado outbreaks in United States history.  To date, 318 people have lost their lives.

EDS crews are currently serving residents of Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Georgia, Tennessee, and Kentucky.  Additional Salvation Army EDS teams are on standby throughout the South and will be deployed as needed.

Alabama– EDS teams have distributed approximately 4,650 meals at multiple locations across the state.  Additionally, a trained Salvation Army emotional and spiritual care team has been deployed to Marion County to assist with the tragic loss of life. 

Service locations include:

Franklin County, Phil Campbell, AL - 300 meals
Marion County, Hackleburg, AL - 250 meals
Jefferson County, Birmingham, AL - 1200 meals
Lawrence County, Molton, AL - 500 meals
DeKalb County, Rainseville, AL - 500 meals
Marshall County, Guntersville, AL - 500 meals
Tuscaloosa, Greensboro, AL - 750 meals
Bibb County, Eloine, AL - 250 meals
Madison County, Huntsville, AL - 400 meals

In support of relief efforts, The Salvation Army of Florida has deployed ten mobile feeding units staffed by volunteers and EDS personnel to Alabama. 

Arkansas– EDS teams are currently providing food, beverages, and emotional/spiritual care throughout Garland, Randolph, and Jackson Counties.  Several areas are facing tornado damage as well as flooding.  As of Friday evening, 3,195 meals and 3,058 drinks had been distributed.

Mississippi– Mobile feeding units are currently serving residents of Kemper County, Webster County, and the city of Oxford.  As of Friday morning, teams had served approximately 650 meals and offered critical emotional and spiritual support.

Georgia– Griffin, GA has five mobile feeding units addressing basic human needs in Sunny Side, Vaughn, Barnesville, and the surrounding areas.  As of Friday afternoon, EDS personnel had provided 1,960 meals, 2678 bottles of water, 48 clean-up kits, and 62 snacks.

As of Friday morning, Rome, GA mobile feeding units had provided 230 meals, 600 bottles of water, and offered emotional and spiritual support to 10 survivors.  EDS personnel anticipate that 500 meals will be served this evening.

Additional teams from the Kentucky/Tennessee Division are providing food, beverages, and emotional/spiritual support to various locations in Georgia including the hard-hit town of Ringgold.

Tennessee– Numerous locations across Tennessee are reporting moderate to severe tornado, water, and hail damage.  EDS crews are offering food, beverages, and emotional/spiritual support in the following areas: Chattanooga, Cleveland, Murfreesboro, Union City, Clarksville, Greenville, and Memphis.  Over the last several days, thousands of meals have reached survivors.

Kentucky– Salvation Army EDS personnel continue to meet the needs of storm survivors in Paducah, Henderson, and Louisville through food distribution and emotional and spiritual care.  At present, the greatest danger to Kentucky residents is the potential for flooding in the coming days.  EDS personnel are evaluating these risks and making preparations should a response be required.

For more information regarding state specific relief efforts, please the Newsroom at www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org

The Salvation Army is grateful to the public for their continued support.

The best way to help tornado survivors and rescue workers is to make a financial contribution. Monetary donations allow disaster responders to immediately meet the specific needs of disaster survivors.  The Salvation Army asks those who want to help to visit www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.orgor call 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769) and designate their gift "April 2011 Tornado Outbreak."  Checks may be made out to:

The Salvation Army Disaster Relief

P.O. Box100339

Atlanta, GA 30384-0339

At this point, in-kind donations are not being accepted outside the disaster area.  Used clothing and used furniture are seldom required during an incident.  However, these gifts are vitally important in supporting the day-to-day work of your local Salvation Army. Please consider giving these items to your local Salvation Army Thrift Store or dial 1-800-SA-TRUCK. 

 

 

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.