• Christopher McGown

Kentucky & Tennessee Division Sends Reinforcements For South Carolina Flood Relief

Louisville, Kentucky—As the flood waters recede across South Carolina, the immediate needs become clear.   The Salvation Army quickly looks to its network of trained staff and volunteers, along with strategically placed equipment, to fill those newly identified needs.

“Proximity, availability, and training all play into how determinations are made to fill the needs in disaster response,” said Jeff Jellets, The Salvation Army’s Territorial Disaster Coordinator for the southeastern United States.

For the ongoing and evolving response in the wake of the historic flooding across South Carolina, the Kentucky & Tennessee Division was called upon to provide personnel and equipment.  Four trained staff to serve as Emotional & Spiritual Care Specialists, and two Catering Trucks.

The Salvation Army recognizes the importance of ministering to the whole person; in times of disaster, Emotional and Spiritual Care is vital.  More than just “religious,” Emotional & Spiritual Care Specialists are trained to provide appropriate emotional and spiritual care to people of all faiths, cultures and backgrounds and to be respectful of beliefs that may be different from those of the emotional & spiritual care providers.   Trained staff from Louisville, Kentucky; Clarksville, Nashville, and Chattanooga, Tennessee are heading to South Carolina to add their skill and heart to The Salvation Army’s growing holistic response.

Catering Trucks were adapted for disaster work due to their light weight and adaptability.  Disaster scenes often mean partially blocked or nearly impassable roads.  The size and design of catering trucks allow them to enter and serve (snacks, drinks, and pre-packaged meals) in locations where traditional canteens (mobile kitchens) could not go.  Catering trucks based in Murfreesboro and Clarksville, Tennessee were called into action to aid in The Salvation Army’s disaster response in South Carolina.

For the latest news about Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services or to make a donation in the support of those impacted by this disaster, please visit:   www.disaster.SalvationArmyUSA.org or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769).

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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 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.  About 82 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in nearly 5,000 communities nationwide.  For more information, go to www.SalvationArmyUSA.org.