• Chris Johnson

The Salvation Army's Flood Response Expands in Oklahoma & Arkansas

Oklahoma City, OK (June 8, 2015) - Emergency Disaster teams from The Salvation Army's Arkansas & Oklahoma Division continued to respond to multiple regions that were affected by flooding as a result of the unprecedented rain that fell in the region in late May. As flood waters have begun to recede, areas that had not previously requested assistance have found themselves in a position of need, and The Salvation Army is now preparing to support the clean up efforts in Pittsburgh County, Oklahoma and Conway, Arkansas, all while The Salvation Army of Pine Bluff continues to serve meals and supplies in Jefferson County, Arkansas.

"The Salvation Army is honored to be able to provide assistance to those in the community who may not have ever needed to ask for help, and we are grateful to the public for their support of the organization. Without that support, we would not be able to respond in times of disaster," said Major David Robinson, corps officer for The Salvation Army of Conway, AR.

Since their initial response, The Salvation Army of Arkansas & Oklahoma has served over 11,000 meals, snacks and drinks to residents and first responders in the flood stricken areas of the Division, and has distributed over 1,700 food boxes, clean up kits and hygiene supplies to the communities. Response of this scale was carried out by staff and volunteers who have logged over 300 hours of service during this incident.

Coordinating with Oklahoma VOAD partners, The Salvation Army has provided clean up kits in Comanche County, Oklahoma to be distributed to residents in need. Additional clean up kits will be arriving in LeFlore County and Bryant County Oklahoma later this week to assist with the clean up and recovery of affected homes in the cities of Poteau, Durant and surrounding communities in Eastern & Southern Oklahoma.

Updates will be provided as more information becomes available on The Salvation Army’s continued long term services for those who were affected in the Arkansas & Oklahoma Division. Please follow us at www.twitter.com/SalArmyAOKEDS, www.twitter.com/SalArmyAOK and www.facebook.com/SalArmyAOK for additional information.

How to Help:
The quickest and easiest way to support the efforts of The Salvation Army as they serve disaster victims in Oklahoma & Arkansas during this event and future disasters is to make a monetary donation.

By mail:
To mail a contribution to the Arkansas-Oklahoma relief efforts,
P.O. Box 12600, Oklahoma City, OK 73157
Please mark your donation as "May 2015 Storms"

Online:
Give online at https://donate.salvationarmyusa.org/disaster/disaster-storm-relief-may-2015

By Phone:
Call 1-800-SAL-ARMY [1-800-725-2769]

Via Text:
Text the word “STORM” to 80888 to make a $10 donation through your mobile phone; to confirm your gift, respond with the word “Yes.”*

Donations of Household Good and Clothing:
Due to the emergency situation, The Salvation Army cannot guarantee that any individual donations of household goods or clothing (gifts-in-kind) will be sent to the disaster area. In times of disaster, our stores fill these needs from existing, pre-sorted stock. PLEASE continue to donate gently-used household goods to your local Salvation Army store. You will help your community and help us prepare for future disaster relief needs. To find your nearest drop-off location, please go to www.satruck.org.

Contact:  Chris Johnson, 405.323.5892
E-mail: chris_johnson@uss.salvationarmy.org
Office:  405.254.1176

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About The Salvation Army
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.salvationarmyusa.org.

*A one-time donation of $10 will be added to your mobile phone bill or deducted from your prepaid balance. Message and 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 T-Mobile. All purchases must be authorized by account holder. By participating you certify that you are 18 yrs or older and/or have parental permission. Donations are collected for the benefit of The Salvation Army by the Innogive 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.