• Philip Burn

Practical Assistance Continues Following Texas Storms

Dallas, Texas (November 1, 2015) – The Salvation Army continues to provide emergency services in the wake of tornados and wide spread flooding around the state of Texas. Meals, snacks, and hydration, in addition to emotional and spiritual care, are being provided by emergency disaster teams in San Marcos, Austin, McAllen, and Houston.

Teams from New Braunfels and Williamson County have been serving local shelters for flood survivors in San Marcos and South Austin. At the Kyle Performing Arts Center, Sunday, The Salvation Army provided 800 clean up kits, 576 cases of bottled water, 1000 pairs of work gloves, bug spray and fire ant bait to anyone affected by the floods.

“Those who live in the flooded communities have got a lot of hard work ahead of them as they face cleaning their homes and removing soaked furniture and household items,” said Alvin Migues, The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services Director for Texas. “Salvation Army clean up kits containing a broom and mop, a scrubbing brush, sponge, bleach, latex gloves, and several trash bags, will deliver some of the essential items needed. This is just one practical way that The Salvation Army is helping.”

The mobile kitchen from Williamson County is expected to serve meals at the Dittmar Recreation Center shelter in south Austin for several days while the San Marcos Service Unit will be participating in the Multi Agency Resource Center to provide emergency assistance to households throughout Hays County.

Meanwhile, in South Texas, the McAllen Corps canteen continues to respond in the town of San Perlita in Willacy County where flood waters have affected a number of homes, businesses and commercial buildings. The Salvation Army in Houston continues to monitor area flooding while the Pasadena Corps and canteen is providing roaming feeding as needed in the affected areas.

Since the storm system entered the state on Thursday evening The Salvation Army has provided:

• Meals – 1842
• Drinks – 3625
• Snacks – 1960
• Spiritual Care Contacts - 365

To make a donation to support the ongoing work of The Salvation Army please call 1-800-SAL-ARMY or go to http://tsatx.org/floodandtornadorelief

If you are interested in learning more about The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) in Texas, or to become a local disaster volunteer, please visit: www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org.

For the most up-to-date emergency disaster services news from The Salvation Army in Texas, please visit: www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org and follow latest updates on Twitter @SalArmyTXEDS and Facebook at www.facebook.com/SalArmyTXEDS.

About The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services: “The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.” While every disaster is unique and creates its own special needs, the core of The Salvation Army's disaster program consists of several basic services. And while these services address many of the typical needs of a disaster survivor, Salvation Army disaster relief is also flexible. Our services are adapted to the specific needs of individuals and communities and scalable according to the magnitude of the disaster.

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.