• Cindy Fuller

Compassionate Care for Hurricane Harvey Survivors

Corpus Christi, TX (August 31, 2017) Eleven mobile feeding kitchens (canteens) are on the ground in the Coastal Bend Area providing desperately needed food and water for people impacted by Hurricane Harvey.  Just as importantly, they are providing compassion and the love of Jesus.

The Salvation Army has an “army” of personnel serving in communities impacted near the eye of the storm.  Crews on mobile feeding units are serving many, including people in apartment complexes that are still without power, and a lady from Rockport who rode out the storm in a small metal building with her cat.

Here are a few eyewitness reports from Salvation Army crews on the ground:

• When a catering truck (mobile feeding unit) pulled through a neighborhood, one of the ladies where they stopped and were visiting through the window said, “I have water and some food, everything I need.”  As the truck pulled away, she put her hand over her heart.  Marcella, one of the crew members, stopped the truck asked if she was okay.  “The Salvation Army just brings back memories.  My in-laws were involved with The Salvation Army in Oklahoma and Georgia.  We lost my mother-in-law about three years ago in her nineties,” the lady said. “She just loved being part of The Salvation Army!”  

• A Salvation Army crew from Muskogee, Oklahoma reports serving twin brothers who used to be singers.  The twins began singing “Okie from Muskogee” as the crew provided a meal, water and some snacks.   The brothers have lost most of their home and things, yet they are in the neighborhood joyfully helping others.

•  “Give me a high five!  We are going to get food now – Oklahoma is here,” shouted one group of neighbors as the canteen pulled up to the neighborhood.

• One man started crying after he and his wife received sandwiches.  The crew serving them has been there three days in a row so a relationship has begun.  It turns out, the couple has donated to The Salvation Army at times.  “It is just so nice to see you are here,” he stated after they all prayed together.

• “I’ve been eating beans out of a can for three days.  Having a hot meal is so appreciated,” were the words shared to one of our crews.  At the same apartment complex, the crew found some people trying to cook on a tiny little charcoal grill.  “We have just been trying to cook enough to keep food in peoples’ bellies” he said.  “Thank you so very much for coming out to feed us and make sure we are okay.”

• And many of our crews’ report being asked for photographs with their canteens, receiving an abundance of people saying, “Thank you!” for coming in to help Texas!

Texas, The Salvation Army is here to help and we will be here for as long as you need us as you rebuild. It’s not going to be easy, but we are here to work alongside you every step of the way.

DONATIONS:

To make a financial donation to support the Hurricane Harvey relief efforts please go to www.helpsalvationarmy.org, call 1-800- SAL-ARMY, text STORM to 51555.

Checks can be mailed to: 

The Salvation Army 
PO Box 1959 
Atlanta, GA 30301   

 ** Please designate “Hurricane Harvey” on all checks