Orlando, FL – The Salvation Army of Florida is deploying 10 mobile canteens and a team of more than 30 volunteers and staff to help assist in the relief and recovery efforts in Alabama.
Salvation Army canteens (kitchens on wheels) from Vero Beach, Tallahassee, Tampa, St. Augustine, Titusville and West Pasco County will travel to Birmingham to help with disaster relief and recovery. Salvation Army canteens from Panama City, Pensacola, Jacksonville and Fort Lauderdale Area Command will travel to Tuscaloosa.
Salvation Army deployments are typically 14 days.
“The Salvation Army is about bringing comfort to people when they need it the most,” said Kevin Smith, the emergency disaster director for The Salvation Army of Florida. “In 1998, Central Florida was devastated by a series of storms that took many lives and Floridians came together and supported our efforts. This morning (Friday) we are asking for that same support as we head into our disaster relief effort.”
The recent storms have destroyed buildings and shattered lives. Salvation Army disaster response teams have been deployed to 30 communities across six states. To date, more than 300 people have lost their lives while many more have suffered injuries and face catastrophic property damage. Hundreds of thousands are currently without electricity.
You can learn more about The Salvation Army’s disaster response by visiting http://www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org/. You can also follow The Salvation Army of Florida on Twitter @salarmyfla or on Facebook just search “Salvation Army Florida Division.
The Salvation Army is asking for your help with assisting those in need. You can give by texting “GIVE” to 80888, calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY, logging on to www.salvationarmyusa.org. Checks may be made out to The Salvation Army Disaster Relief, P.O. Box 100339, Atlanta, GA 30384-0339.
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.
About The Salvation Army