• Cynthia (Cindy) Fuller

Day 37: Tornado Response Continues in Central Oklahoma

Oklahoma City, OK (June 25, 2013) The Salvation Army has been busy serving tens of thousands throughout Central Oklahoma in the aftermath of the May tornadoes.  Since the peak of the relief, 30 mobile feeding units (canteens) and catering trucks have served in areas devastated by the tornadoes and flooding. 

With over 1,200 homes lost, plans are being drafted for the transition from the emergency relief phase which is waning (37 days after first onset of tornadoes) to intermediate and long term recovery and care of storm victims.

“We continue to assess the needs in the area and anticipate the bulk of our assistance will begin once families and individuals find temporary housing and/or begin the rebuilding process,” states Lt. Trey Jones, Incident Commander for The Salvation Army’s Incident Command team.  “Our ability to provide recovery and long term assistance is based upon the needs of those impacted and our partnerships with other agencies.”

• In response to the storm, through Tuesday, June 18, The Salvation Army has provided approximately:

• 81,809 meals
• 117,735 drinks
• 146,697 snacks
• Emotional and spiritual care to 13,046 individuals
• 43,570 comfort kits
• 6,784 Clean Up Kits
• 26,480 hours of employee and volunteer service
• Over 3,800 cases opened and services provided to more than 13,000 individuals

• The Salvation Army maintains a fleet of canteens and supply warehouses throughout the United States to enable speedy mobilization.  There are 260 of these units in the southern United States alone and more than 600 emergency response vehicles nationwide.
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MARCS (Multi-Agency Resource Centers)
Hours:  Doors Open at 9:00 a.m.
The Salvation Army is located in the El Reno and Moore MARCs.  Assistance includes:
• Financial Assistance to Tornado Survivors
• Salvation Army Family Stores Clothing Vouchers to Tornado and Flooding Survivors
• Referrals for Other Services

Jenks Simmons Field House
214 N. Country Club Rd
El Reno, OK

Westmoore High School
12613 S. Western Ave.
Moore, OK
FIXED FEEDING SITE

Distribution of In-Kind Gifts NEW HOURS
The Salvation Army is providing water, food, hygiene items, clean-up kits and additional items for anyone affected by the recent tornadoes and flooding.
Plaza Mayor at the Crossroads Distribution Hours:
Monday thru Saturday: 10 AM until 6 PM
Sunday:   CLOSED

Monetary donations and Volunteers are the most critical need as transition occurs into recovery.
• Donors are encouraged to give online at www.SalvationArmyUSA.org or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769).
• You can also text the word “STORM” to 80888 to make a $10 donation through your mobile phone; to confirm your gift, respond with the word “Yes.”*
• Checks should be mailed to The Salvation Army Disaster Relief, P.O. Box 2536, Oklahoma City, OK  73102 and designate “2013 Oklahoma Tornadoes.”
• Those interested in volunteering should register at www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org. Please note that disaster service training is a prerequisite for volunteering in a disaster zone and not all registered volunteers will be called on to serve.  You can reach our Volunteer Coordinator at 405-620-2027 or alArmyOKTornadoVolunteer@gmail.com.

Your donations make a real difference.
• A $10 donation feeds a disaster survivor for one day.
• A $30 donation provides one food box, containing staple foods for a family of four, or one household cleanup kit, containing brooms, mops, buckets and other cleaning supplies
• A $100 donation can serve snacks and drinks for 125 survivors and emergency personnel at the scene of a disaster
• A $250 donation can provide one hot meal to 100 people or keep a hydration station operational for 24 hours
• A $500 donation keeps a Salvation Army canteen (mobile feeding unit) fully operational for one day

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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 a broad 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.