• John Zanders

The Salvation Army of Metro Atlanta and the Georgia Division Prepare to Mobilize During Relentless Winter Storm

Atlanta, GA (February 11, 2014) – As Georgia Governor, Nathan Deal, announces a State of Emergency for Georgia, The Salvation Army of Metro Atlanta and the Georgia Division are preparing for the relentless winter storms by providing hot food and drinks to stranded motorist and first responders. This is certainly a catastrophic event unusual for this part of the country.

The Salvation Army has prepared eight canteen mobile units in various parts of Atlanta, North and East Georgia. In response to the dangerous conditions, Salvation Army mobile canteen units will be strategically placed near interstate and major thoroughfares working with the Georgia Highway Patrol and the SOC. "Our mission is to offer relief in the form of hot food, drinks, snacks and prayer to stranded motorists and first responders." states Major Jim Smith, Georgia Divisional Disaster Service Director.

Mobile Canteens will be placed in downtown Atlanta, Augusta, Marietta, Lawrenceville, Dalton, Griffin, Gainesville and Covington, GA or areas specifically identified by GEMA.

The Salvation Army of Metro Atlanta will also continue to offer emergency shelter to homeless individuals and families seeking refuge from the cold. The Red Shield shelter located at 400 Luckie Street in downtown Atlanta has 324 beds in its overnight shelter and will have up to 90 additional mats for individuals and families who enter through the emergency cold weather program. When temperatures drop below 40 degrees The Salvation Army opens its emergency cold weather program to anyone who needs a warm place to sleep. For more information about the emergency cold weather program, please call 404-486-2700.

Additional Salvation Army Shelters have opened their doors to during the next 48 hours to accept those needing to escape the forthcoming ice storm expected tomorrow.

Griffin, Georgia - Providing emergency shelter at,329 N. 13th Street, Griffin, GA, 30224 through our House of Hope. During time of inclement weather we are open all day to residents and anyone needing shelter. Services include a meal, blankets and/or a place to stay and can accommodate 45 individuals. For more information call 770-227-2336.

Rome, Georgia - The Salvation Army Rome Shelter will be open using their inclement weather policy for the next 48 hours. Evening Meals will be available at 5:30pm each night for those in the community needing a hot meal. For more information call 706-291-4745.

The Salvation Army is grateful for any monetary donations to help offset the cost of response during Winter Storm Pax. Please donate at 1 800 SAL ARMY, or www.salvationarmyusa.org. For more information on this disaster, and how you can help, please go to www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org.

About The Salvation Army of Metro Atlanta and Georgia Divison

The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for 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 spent is used to carry out those services in 5,000 communities nationwide.

For more information, go to www.salvationarmyatlanta.org or www.salvationarmygeorgia.org to find a location near you. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thesalvationarmymetro Atlanta, www.facebook.com/thesalvationarmygeorgia or follow us on Twitter @SalvationArmyA

Media Contact: Tamara Stinson, Communications Director

Phone: 404-550-4537

Email: Tamara_Stinson@uss.salvationarmy.org