• Erica Lawton

Nor'easter May Disrupt Salvation Army Services For Hurricane Sandy

Alexandria, Virginia (November 6, 2012) – As thousands of people in New York City and throughout the state of New Jersey continue to seek relief assistance nine days following Hurricane Sandy, a powerful nor’easter storm could halt services provided by The Salvation Army and other emergency relief organizations. The Salvation Army, which has provided more than 700,000 meals and drinks to impacted residents, will prepare for the forthcoming storm which could bring high winds, freezing temperatures, flooding and potentially snow to coastal areas that are still without power. At the same time, there is an increasing need for warm clothing and blankets and stores of supplies that otherwise would have been used for Thanksgiving and to meet the ongoing needs in those communities. The Salvation Army is preparing to continue service delivery when possible, and is calling on the public for increased monetary and in-kind donations to 1-800-SAL-ARMY and by texting “storm” to 80888.

“With a new Mid-Atlantic storm, we are seeing a sharp rise in the need for warm clothing, hot meals and water,” said Major George Hood, National Community Relations and Development Secretary for The Salvation Army. “As the storm moves north, The Salvation Army has called in requests for supplies to not only replenish the need created by Sandy, but to answer the need that will be created by this nor’easter.”

In some areas, The Salvation Army is planning to curtail certain services on Wednesday until the storm passes in New York and New Jersey. Overall, need is expected to increase throughout the next several days. Survivors of Sandy will need not only food and water, but also warm clothing and shelter to protect them winter conditions.

"We are very concerned about the impact this storm will have on areas that are still without food and electricity. We’re taking every precaution and are committed to making sure The Salvation Army can meet the expected need," said Commissioner Israel Gaither, The Salvation Army’s Eastern Territorial Commander.

In New York City, The Salvation Army, the lead agency for the City’s Food Access Plan, is providing meals, hydration and emotional support to thousands. The effort of the Food Access Plan brings together resources from several members of the Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD) including the American Red Cross, as well as the City Council, the NYPD, the National Guard and dozens of volunteers from across New York City. With the assistance of 400 National Guard troops, service sites were established in public parks and playgrounds in the hardest hit areas. More than 160,000 liters of water and nearly 860,000 meals have been distributed to approximately 200,000 local residents.

In New Jersey, The Salvation Army may be forced to suspend mobile feeding kitchens (canteens) until the storm clears. Previously, The Salvation Army lost a mobile feeding kitchen to Sandy, due to flood waters that engulfed the vehicle. Each canteen is able to serve thousands of meals and drinks per day when operating at full capacity.

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.”* Due to the high expense and time demands associated with sorting, warehousing, and delivering goods and clothing (gifts-in-kind) to the areas affected by the storm, The Salvation Army cannot guarantee that any individual gifts-in-kind donated now will be sent to the disaster area.

In times of disaster, our stores fill these needs from existing, pre-sorted stock. By continuing to donate gently-used household goods to your local Salvation Army store, you not only help your community, you help us prepare for future disaster relief needs. To find your nearest drop-off location, please go to www.satruck.org. 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. 

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.