• Christopher McGown

Salvation Army and Little Caesars Pizza Team-up For Tornado Response

West Liberty, KY (March 14, 2012) – A longtime partnership between The Salvation Army and Little Caesars Pizza was on display in Morgan County today.   The Little Caesars Love Kitchen rolled into town and fired up their pizza ovens; ready to cook enough Little Caesars famous pizza for 2000 tornado survivors and response crews.

The Love Kitchen is an award-winning, nationally recognized charitable effort designed to provide the hot, fresh comfort food that is longed for in times of great need, like disasters.    The program celebrated its 27th Anniversary last week serving with The Salvation Army response in Southern Indiana.  Today and tomorrow Little Caesars and The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services have teamed up to prepare, bake, and deliver more than 750 pizzas to those affected by the recent storms.

“This is all made possible because of the support of the local franchisees,” said David Fox one of the two drivers of the Love Kitchen.   “The truck is based out of our corporate headquarters, but all the supplies and volunteer labor comes from the community’s Little Caesars.” 

“The store here in West Liberty was destroyed by the tornadoes, but fortunately we had supplies we could use in nearby Little Caesars stores,” said Steve Jackson, the local franchise owner and neighbor.   “The community has supported our work, we wanted to support the community and this seemed like the perfect way of doing it.”

The assembly line of workers inside the mobile pizza kitchen were all volunteer, many are Jackson’s family members.   As the hot pizzas were boxed, they were placed into one of The Salvation Army’s canteens to be delivered to those still struggling after tornadoes destroyed or damaged most of West Liberty and several of the surrounding communities.

“This partnership not only provides a taste of comfort for the survivors, but also allows those who have been preparing the hot meals until today to take a much needed break.” Major Darrell Kingsbury, the Incident Commander for The Salvation Army’s response in Morgan County and is based in Ashland, Kentucky. “It’s a win-win.”

Since the tornadoes ripped through eastern Kentucky, The Salvation Army has been working to meet the ever-changing needs in the wake of a disaster.   Working closely with other response agencies to avoid duplication, The Salvation Army response in and around Morgan County has focused on providing hot, nutritious meals.   This involves trained, committed volunteers driving canteens (mobile kitchens and feeding units) more than 950 miles a day.   Some of the outlying areas are still without basic utilities, and others who live closer to town still lack the resources needed without the assistance of The Salvation Army canteens.

“Our whole family smiles when we see your truck turn onto our street,” said Abigaile a resident of Crockett, Kentucky.  Abigaile’s family home is damaged, but is still livable.  However, their only car was destroyed when a tree fell on it during the storm.   “We don’t know how we would get out to get food without you all,” she said of The Salvation Army.

For the latest news about Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services or to make a donation in the support of those impacted by this disaster, please visit:   www.disaster.SalvationArmyUSA.org or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769).

You may also help by texting “storm” 80888 to make a $10.00 contribution to the relief effort.   The donation will appear on your next mobile phone bill.

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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 82 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.