• Mark Jones

The Salvation Army Transitions to Intermediate Recovery in Hattiesburg

Hattiesburg, Miss. (February 19, 2013) Since Sunday, February 10, The Salvation Army has been serving residents of Hattiesburg impacted by the tornado.  To date, The Salvation Army has served over 9,200 meals, 14,000 snacks and over 11,000 drinks in the Pine Belt.

Meal services will come to an end on Tuesday evening in the Hattiesburg area. Salvation Army crews and volunteers from Canada will continue roaming Hattiesburg neighborhoods throughout the week distributing clean-up kits, food boxes and hygiene kits.

As part of the transition to recovery, The Salvation Army partnered with Governor Phil Bryant and First Lady Deborah Bryant to distribute food boxes in Hattiesburg this past Saturday. Over 300 food boxes were distributed in hardest hit areas of Hattiesburg.

Clean up kits consist of a bucket, mop, brooms, garbage bags, cleaning supplies, and gloves. Each food box is capable of feeding a family of four with basic food staples.

“Food boxes and cleanup kits will allow residents to take another step towards normalcy. We know these small gestures cannot make someone whole again, but we pray that they will serve as an encouragement as we rebuild together,” stated Captain Andy Gilliam of The Salvation Army. 

Financial donations are desperately 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.