• Ellen Westbrook

FedEx Delivers New Canteen to Memphis

Photo: Mike Ducker, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of FedEx Express, hands the keys to a newly donated disaster mobile feeding unit to Salvation Army Memphis Area Commander Major Mark Woodcock.

Memphis, TN - May 20, 2011 - FedEx and The Salvation Army, two global organizations known for just-in-time service delivery, are joining forces again.

On May 20^th Mike Ducker, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of FedEx Express, made a very special delivery, presenting its 14th worldwide Disaster Response Vehicle (DRV) to the Memphis Salvation Army.

Located in major cities in the US and around the globe, the vehicles have specially designed mobile kitchens allowing The Salvation Army to bring critical help to people at the point of need.

Salvation Army Memphis Area Commander Major Mark Woodcock, said, “FedEx funded DRVs have expanded our ability to serve.  Last year these units mobilized 1,100 volunteers around the world to serve 130,000 people with over 500,000 hot meals and snacks, providing food for body and spirit to victims of fires, natural disasters, even oil spills.  As floods and tornadoes continue to ravage the region, this increased disaster relief capability is a real blessing.”

Michael Oher, also known for tackling tough situations, rolled out the 16 -foot, fully equipped state-of-the-art canteen to a group of staff, volunteers and guests. An NFL star of the Baltimore Ravens and bestselling author of I Beat the Odds, Oher was guest speaker at the Salvation Army Annual Dinner following the announcement, inspiring guests with his own story of overcoming obstacles.

Pointing out the custom-designed kitchen features, Charlie Martin, coordinator of the DRV volunteer team at First Evangelical Church said, “Thisnew vehicle greatly increases our capability for service – it can serve about twice as many people a day with six times the cooking capacity of the typical canteen. With this year’s historic regional disasters, this Fed Ex gift is absolutely, positively on-target.”

Mike Ducker concluded, “FedEx has supported the Salvation Army for years, enabling its emergency response personnel to be among the first to reach a site of devastation. This movable, onsite facility allows them to begin immediately providing material, physical and emotional comfort for both survivors and first responders. By working with The Salvation Army, FedEx can deliver what’s needed.”