• Todd Andrews

Western Division Canteens Responding to Flood-Affected Communities

SALVATION ARMY CANTEEN TRUCKS, CREWS DISPATCHED TO HELP FLOOD-AFFECTED COMMUNITIES AROUND EASTERN NEBRASKA AND WESTERN IOWA

Canteens—also known as mobile feeding units—are on the move for The Salvation Army in flood-affected communities around eastern Nebraska and western Iowa.  When disaster strikes, these specially equipped vehicles bring food, drinks, and other essentials to those in need.

Deployment of our canteens is just one of several main storylines within The Salvation Army Western Division’s continued flood-relief response Wednesday.  Following are some main points from today’s efforts—and, in some cases, a brief look ahead at what’s set for tomorrow:

In Fremont—The team worked alongside a special nonprofit group to serve food to some 325 people via a canteen stationed in town. A second canteen served food in nearby Hooper, Nebraska.

In Valley—Plans call for a truck with flood-relief supplies to arrive in town on Thursday, March 21.

In Council Bluffs—The team there prepared for a deployment to Hamburg, Iowa, where they are set to help with flood-relief and -recovery efforts starting in the latter half of the week.

In Omaha—The Kroc Center, as of midweek, had served nearly 300 meals via their kitchen and had also been providing emotional-spiritual care.  Elsewhere: the flood-relief-items donation center at the old Canfield's near 84th and Center continued to take in donations of flood-relief items.

In Sioux City—Officers, staff, and volunteers served 100 breakfasts and 800 snacks in flood-affected communities near the Sioux City area; they also handed out toys to flood-affected families with young children and provided emotional-spiritual care to dozens of people.   

In Norfolk—The team there spent much of Wednesday helping people via distribution of clean-up kits, hygiene products, and mattresses.   

The Salvation Army is seeking donations to support flood-relief efforts.  To donate:  go to www.salarmyomaha.org and click on the ‘Donate Now’ button.