• Shelley Henderson

Salvation Army Response Continues After Mobile Feeding Kitchens Roll Away

Charlotte, NC (November 6, 2015)-Every day The Salvation Army is at work, fulfilling its mission to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination. We shelter the homeless, feed the hungry, provide guidance to youth, give financial assistance people in crisis, and are a church home to many. When disasters happen in communities, The Salvation Army is already there and ready to respond.

One month ago parts of South Carolina were devastated by historic flooding. When the rain was predicted, The Salvation Army was already in the community providing social services and church programs. As the rain began, The Salvation Army was monitoring the weather and coordinating disaster response with community and government partners. Before the rain stopped, Salvation Army mobile feeding kitchens (canteens) were rolling in from all over the Carolinas and Georgia, manned by teams ready to serve hot meals, cold drinks, and spread God’s love to people who were devastated by the floods.

In the first couple of weeks of the emergency, The Salvation Army emergency disaster teams served flood survivors and first responders more than 55,000 meals, 95,000 snacks and drinks, and provided almost 2,500 people with emotional and spiritual care.  But this was just the beginning of The Salvation Army’s response.

In mid-October a Disaster Assistance Center was opened by the Columbia area Salvation Army, providing households with food boxes, clean up kits, and supplemental financial assistance. In other flooded communities, clean up kits, water, hygiene kits, and food boxes were provided to meet the needs of residents working to rebuild their lives. Plans are now being made for long-term recovery as flood impacted Salvation Army units, along with community and government partners, assess the needs of the residents.

The work of rebuilding South Carolina will take a long time. Some of that work will be physical; even more will be emotional and spiritual. In the weeks, months, and years ahead we will continue to fulfill our mission to serve those who need us and we will be here until we are no longer needed.

The Salvation Army is able to help families and individuals impacted by disaster because of donations entrusted to us. 100% all disaster donations go directly to that disaster.

It's easy to give:

• Online: https://donate.salvationarmyusa.org/disaster/East-Coast-Floods-Disaster-Relief

• By mail: The Salvation Army Disaster Relief
                  PO BOX 1959 Atlanta, GA 30301
                  Please make checks payable to "The Salvation Army" & mark gift "East Coast Floods."

• By Text: Text STORM to 51555 to receive a donation link for easy mobile giving

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.