• Shelley Henderson

Salvation Army Carolinas Serving Meals to Communities Impacted by Dorian

Charlotte, N.C. (September 7, 2019)—Today, Salvation Army mobile feeding units and crews of trained Salvation Army officers, employees, and volunteers are serving meals, drinks, and providing spiritual care in coastal areas of northeast North Carolina and in the Charleston area of South Carolina. In addition, at the invitation of local emergency management, several Salvation Army mobile feeding units are on standby for service on Okracoke Island, in Hatteras, and Dare County in North Carolina’s Outer Banks where storm surge from Hurricane Dorian caused flash-flooding and stranded many local residents.

Currently, power crews are working around the clock to get power on for approximately 90,000 customers in the Carolinas. No power means people do not have a way to cook and refrigerated food may spoil. The Salvation Army is serving in the community to provide meals to families and individuals who need a hot meal to hold them over until the power has been restored.

The Salvation Army’s mission is to preach the gospel and meet human needs in the name of Jesus Christ. Providing food for people in need is one way The Salvation Army meets its mission worldwide. During a disaster, The Salvation Army uses its long experience of mass feeding to provide nourishment to people before, during, and after the disaster. 

We feed before a disaster…
Before the disaster, first responders assembled in Emergency Operations Centers (EOC) to coordinate response and in staging areas to mobilize in communities. Even before Hurricane Dorian impacted the Carolinas, The Salvation Army was serving hot meals and cold drinks in EOCs across both states so emergency management officials could continue their important work.

The Salvation Army also served food to displaced residents compelled to seek shelter before a disaster because they live in vulnerable areas. Through close coordination with local government and disaster service agencies, The Salvation Army was there to meet the immediate needs of evacuees.

We feed after the disaster…
After the disaster, The Salvation is in the community as soon as the roads are clear to provide the physical comfort of a hot meal and a cool drink and the emotional and spiritual comfort that our specially trained caregivers provide. The Salvation Army is there in the community to provide meals to families and individuals so their resources can go toward restoring and rebuilding their lives.