• Patricia James

Salvation Army Flood Recovery Center Needs Volunteers

Portland, ME (September 19, 2011) - While donations have been steadily coming in and flood victims are receiving assistance, The Salvation Army has indicated that it is in great need of volunteers to help in its Flood Recovery Center.

"We are in crucial need of volunteers to sort and stack items," said Captain Stephen Warren, Commander of The Salvation Army in Laconia, N.H., who arrived in Rutland last week to assist at the center.

If you would like to volunteer at the Flood Recovery Center, please call (802) 773-1739 and ask for the volunteer coordinator.

Overseeing operations at the center is Major Byron Medlock, a Salvation Army officer from Minneapolis who has managed warehouse operations for 25 years as part of disaster response in the Midwest.

The Flood Recovery Center is located at 263 South Main Street, Rutland in the former Smith Buick GMC. The center is offering food, clothing, furniture and spiritual support for those impacted by Tropical Storm Irene in the state of Vermont. The space was generously donated by John and Shirley Barnhart. On Saturday, the day the center opened, several families received assistance.

In addition to serving victims of Tropical Storm Irene, The Salvation Army is accepting donations at this location. Donations can be dropped off during the days and times listed.

The following items are needed and what are being accepted.

• Non- perishable food items, particularly canned meats and beef stew.
• Peanut butter & Jelly (plastic containers)
• Pasta & Italian sauce
• Bottled water
• Hygiene items

Items we are not accepting

• Beds
• Mattresses
• Large kitchen appliances
• Washers
• Dryers

 

Hours of Operation for donations and assistance at the Warehouse:

Tuesday - Thursday - 9:00 am - 4 pm
Friday - 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
Saturday - 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Since August 29 The Salvation Army has been providing services to families affected by Tropical Storm Irene in Rutland, Plymouth, Tyson, Ludlow, and Waterbury, Vermont. The organization's emergency disaster operation will continue to address the needs from the Flood Recovery Center. To date, The Salvation Army has provided over 9000 meals, 5600 snacks and 400 clean-up kits to flood victims in Vermont.

In addition, The Salvation Army was supported in its efforts by the following:

Ben & Jerry's - Stowe, Vermont - refrigeration & ice cream for Waterbury
Best Western of Waterbury - donated furniture
Comcast Business Services - 2 months of internet service
Household of Faith - food donation
VFW, Rutland - provided Kitchen space

 

Monetary donations to help The Salvation Army's hurricane relief efforts may be sent to:

The Salvation Army
Disaster Gift Processing Center
P.O. Box 1959
Atlanta, GA 30301
*Designation ‘2011 Hurricane Season'

• Credit card donations, please call: 1-800-SAL-ARMY
• Donate online: donate.salvationarmyusa.org/Irene
• Text to give: Text ‘STORM' to 80888 to make a $10 contribution.

Thank you!

 

About The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in London 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 The Salvation Army spends is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide.