• William Hale

Day 5: Service Continues Across Storm Ravaged South

Atlanta, GA– Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) personnel continue to meet material, emotional, and spiritual needs across the southern United States.  Currently, EDS crews are at work in Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Georgia, Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky. 

After five days of intense service, several locations are scaling back response efforts while some locations hit particularly hard by the storms are still in need of daily feeding and spiritual care.

Alabama/Mississippi– Currently, 40 Salvation Army ESD feeding units and one shower trailer are actively serving in Mississippi and Alabama.  Over the last five days, tens of thousands of meals and drinks have been distributed.  On Friday and Saturday alone, EDS teams served 30,820 meals and 51,072 drinks.  1,314 people received emotional and spiritual care so crucial to Salvation Army disaster response. 

Arkansas– EDS personnel continue to monitor rising water levels which have reached major flood stage in 9 counties.  At present, one mobile feeding unit is serving Randolph County.  Approximately 5,000 meals have been served since Monday. 

Georgia– While operations are beginning to wind down, several units are still serving the field.  At the request of FEMA, a mobile feeding unit will remain in Spalding County, as will a social service representative in Harold County.  Additionally, operations will continue in Catoosa and Walker counties through the end of the week.  Teams have served 8,596 meals and 4,195 drinks in Spalding, 720 meals and 1,490 drinks in Rome, and 120 meals and 350 drinks in Cartersville.

Kentucky/Tennessee/Virginia – EDS operations will diminish in Henderson, Murfreesboro and Clarksville, TN as local resources are once again available for storm survivors.  In Chattanooga and Cleveland, TN as well as North Georgia, EDS crews are increasing their meal, beverage, and emotional/spiritual care services to keep pace with the needs of communities hit hard by the storms.  A strong presence remains in Dyersburg, TN, Greenville, TN, Washington County, VA, and Henderson, KY.  As of Sunday morning, 800 volunteers had logged 7,000 hours while helping staff serve approximately 14,500 meals throughout the division.

For more information regarding ongoing relief efforts, please visit 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.

 

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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.