• Mark Jones

Corporate Responsibility On The Menu In Hattiesburg

Hattiesburg, Miss. (February 12, 2013) When one thinks of disaster response feeding, large construction equipment is not the first thing that comes to mind, but large yellow back hoes and bull dozers will be exactly what the chef ordered for dinner tonight in Hattiesburg.

Jackson, Mississippi based Puckett Machinery and its employees will be working Tuesday at The Salvation Army in Hattiesburg to prepare catfish and the trimmings for residents of Hattiesburg. Once prepared, Salvation Army feeding units will deliver the meals into neighborhoods affected by the tornado.

On the other hand, when one thinks of great food and service, the thought may turn to Outback Steakhouse. Home of the Bloomin' Onion, Outback Steakhouse is also synonymous in Mississippi with their community responsibility initiatives.

In past disaster responses, Outback franchisee J & R restaurant Group has graciously donated food and man power to serve thousands in need following a natural disaster. On Wednesday, they will work to prepare and distribute 2,000 meals in the Hattiesburg Area through The Salvation Army.

While these two businesses may have different types of operations, they do have one thing in common: a desire to serve their communities in their time of need.

When asked why they would step away from their regular business operations to prepare food for Hattiesburg residents, Puckett Machinery’s John Chesney simply remarked “It is the right thing to do.”

Remarks mirrored by Outback’s Steve Grantham.“It is our responsibility” he stated. “ We live and work in these communities, it is our pleasure to serve those in need.”

The Salvation Army’s response to disasters is dependent upon the generosity of our donors like Puckett Machinery and Outback Steakhouse. Many times that support comes in the form of cash donations made through our website or generously mailed to one of our many locations. Other times, it comes in the form of support from businesses partnering with The Salvation Army to meet human needs in times of disaster.

Six Mobile feeding units will be working throughout the day on Tuesday providing for the needs of residents.

Units will be positioned at the following locations:
• Hattiesburg Unit: Petal, East 5th Avenue and James Street.
• Jackson Unit: CVS Pharmacy, Intersection of US Highway 49 and Hardy Street, Hattiesburg, Miss.
• Mississippi Coast Unit: Neighborhoods East of USM
• McComb Unit: Downtown Hattiesburg Roving
• Laurel Unit: Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, 900 East 8th Street, Hattiesburg
• Jackson Unit 2:Neighborhoods West and South of USM Roving

Units will also be distributing comfort/hygiene kits to residents recovering from the storm. Emotional and spiritual care officers will be available to provide support to residents.

“The Salvation Army is overwhelmed at the generosity of these two community minded businesses,” stated Captain Andy Gilliam of The Salvation Army in Hattiesburg. “ We honored that they would choose to partner with the Salvation Army to serve the Pine Belt.”

Financial donations are needed to support disaster relief efforts.  The Salvation Army asks those who want to help to visit www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY and designate Disaster Relief.  Donors may text “GIVE” to 80888.  Checks may be made out to The Salvation Army Disaster Relief, P.O. Box 100339, Atlanta, GA 30384-0339.  Monetary donations will ensure The Salvation Army can meet the most immediate needs of those impacted by disaster.

#  #  #

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 33 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year. The Salvation Army provides food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, and outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing, shelter and opportunities for underprivileged children. About 83 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in nearly 9,000 communities nationwide. For more information go to http://www.salvationarmyusa.org, call 1-800-SAL-ARMY, or send a check to your local Salvation Army earmarked for disaster relief.