• Charles Nutt

Salvation Army Service Comes to Historic Chesapeake Bay Town

Crisfield, MD (October 30, 2012) – The Salvation Army of Salisbury, Maryland, is now serving meals for emergency personnel in Crisfield, Maryland (Somerset County).  Severely impacted by storm surge flooding as a result of Hurricane Sandy, Crisfield is located at the southwestern tip of Maryland’s eastern shore, on Chesapeake Bay.  It is Maryland’s southernmost city.

Major Ken Morris, Salisbury Corps Officer, is in Crisfield with a Salvation Army mobile feeding canteen set up at a fire station near the entrance to town.  Volunteers served 200 meals for lunch, and will provide 200 more meals this evening.  Major Morris reports that the entire community of Crisfield is without power, light rain is falling, and due to high tides, there may still be flooding issues this evening (Oct. 30).  Only emergency personnel are permitted to enter the community at this time.

An additional mobile feeding canteen has been dispatched from The Salvation Army Corps in Cambridge, Maryland.  This unit will be serving emergency personnel at Somerset County's 911 Center, 11916 Somerset Avenue, Princess Anne, Maryland.

The Salvation Army is also attempting to meet requests of water for cooking and drinking.  Health department officials fear contamination, and testing results will not be available for 24 hours.

Maryland’s Governor O’Malley relates that Crisfield is going to be a “long haul” operation.  Many people have been evacuated from their homes after sheltering on their second floor through the night due to first floor flooding.  Some will have no homes to return to.  Flood warnings are still in effect.  Governor O’Malley indicates that Somerset County will be a concentration point for National Guard units as they are released from other locations.

Major Ken Morris is making further “on the scene” assessment.  The Salvation Army of Maryland & West Virginia will dispatch additional resources, personnel, and equipment as needed.

The Salvation Army asks people who want to help those affected by this disaster to visit www.salvationarmyusa.org or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769).

Donors may also contribute $10 via their phone bill by text messaging the word STORM to 80888, and confirming the donation with the word, “Yes.”*

Checks may be made out to The Salvation Army Disaster Services Center, PO BOX 1959 Atlanta, GA 30301. Please designate “2012 Hurricane Season” on all checks.

At this point, in-kind donations, such as used clothing and used furniture, are not being accepted for hurricane relief. However, these items are vital to supporting the day-to-day work of your local Salvation Army. Please consider giving these items to your local Salvation Army Family Store or dial 1-800-SA-TRUCK (1-800-728-7825).

For more information on The Salvation Army’s preparation and response to Hurricane Sandy, please visit http://blog.salvationarmyusa.org/, www.facebook.com/salvationarmyusa or www.twitter.com/salvationarmyus.

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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 more than 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. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.

*A one-time donation of $10 will be added to your mobile phone bill or deducted from your prepaid balance. Message & Data Rates May Apply. All charges are billed by and payable to your mobile service provider. Service is available on Verizon Wireless, AT&T, Sprint and TMobile. By participating you certify that you agree to the terms and conditions, that you are 18 yrs. or older, or have parental permission, and have authorization from the account holder. Donations are collected for the benefit of The Salvation Army by the Innovative Giving Foundation and subject to the terms found at igfn.org/t. Privacy policy: igfn.org/p. Text STOP to 80888 to stop; Text HELP to 80888 for help.