• Bob Brady

Salvation Army Focuses on Feeding and Shelter as Sandy Response Continues

Service Ongoing in Hardest Hit Areas of New York, New Jersey, Maryland, West Virginia and Elsewhere

Alexandria, Virginia (October 31, 2012) – As millions struggle without access to power and other basic services up and down the East Coast, The Salvation Army entered its fifth day of response for Hurricane Sandy. Feeding and sheltering activities are continuing in the most heavily impacted areas including New York and New Jersey where coastal devastation and flooding remain major issues. West Virginia and Maryland are facing a different kind of disaster with record snowfalls leaving thousands without power.

In New Jersey, The Salvation Army is serving hundreds of people at shelters throughout the state. This includes service in Atlantic and Hunterdon Counties. Starting today, The Salvation Army is also providing food, hydration and emotional and spiritual care to first responders in Freehold, NJ. A Salvation Army mobile feeding unit (canteen) has also deployed from Western Pennsylvania to support efforts in the state.

In New York City, officials from the Office of Emergency Management have appointed The Salvation Army as the lead agency for the City’s Food Access Plan, to coordinate efforts ensuring access to food for city residents. For the next few days The Salvation Army will be serving food at Seward High School in lower Manhattan where 1,000 people are being fed breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Meanwhile, in Maryland and West Virginia, The Salvation Army is serving in portions of Western Maryland and West Virginia where more than two feet of snow have left thousands without power in frigid temperatures. In Cumberland, MD, The Salvation Army worked with the National Guard to help 100 senior citizens evacuate from a local senior home, providing 125 meals for the trip to a nearby shelter. The Salvation Army is also running shelter and feeding operations throughout West Virginia at multiple locations in Charleston, Beckley, Grafton, Bluefield and Martinsburg, WV.

Elsewhere:

• In Northeast Ohio, The Salvation Army has partnered with the American Red Cross to provide meals at 3 shelters.
• The Salvation Army is serving meals and drinks from canteens in several coastal communities in Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia. 
• In Nashua, NH, The Salvation Army provided meals to personnel at the Emergency Operations Center and also delivered clean-up kits to the Hampton, NH area.
• In Bridgeport, CT, The Salvation Army is feeding 450 seniors three separate sites.

“This will be a long-term response and recovery effort,” said Major George Hood,
National Community Relations and Development Secretary for The Salvation Army. “The best thing the public can do now to help is to give generously.”

The Salvation Army is extremely gratified for the continued support of the donating public. To date, the Army has received nearly $700,000 in online donations alone to support relief efforts.

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.”* 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). 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.

For more information on The Salvation Army’s 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.