Weekend Food Drives to Benefit Salvation Army Joplin Relief

Non-Perishable Food, Baby Items, First Aid Supplies and Batteries Needed at Two Food Drives Scheduled for this Week

St. Louis, MO - June 21, 2011 - Two food drives scheduled for late this week will benefit The Salvation Army’s Joplin relief effort.

On Friday, June 24, Express Scripts will host a food drive at 1 Express Drive, off Highway 70 & Florissant Road, near the University of Missouri – St. Louis campus.  Volunteers will be on hand accepting donations from 8-5 p.m.

First Student Bus Services of Washington, MO, will host a food drive to benefit The Salvation Army’s Joplin relief effort on June 25, from 8-5 p.m., in cooperation with the Washington Chamber of Commerce and The School District of Washington. The food drive will take place at the Washington High School lower parking lot.

The Salvation Army has composed a list of supplies most needed in Joplin at this time:

• Non-perishable canned vegetables, fruits and meats
• Diapers of all sizes
• Baby wipes
• Infant formula
• Jarred baby food and other infant snacks
• Sports drinks
• Personal hygiene items
• First aid supplies
• Batteries

Conway Trucking has generously donated the use of their trucks, drivers and supplies for both food drives, as part of their commitment to helping the city of Joplin recover.

The Salvation Army has been at work in Joplin since May 22, when the tornado hit. As of June 11, The Salvation Army has served more than 100,702 totalmeals, snacks and beverages to local residents, all while also providing for the needs of local families through the Emergency Disaster Service “Store” located at 402 E. 7^th Street in Joplin, where families are able to register and then come and take free food, personal items and clothing as needed.

Donating To Joplin Effort:

Immediate help can be given by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY or by going to www.SalvationArmyUSA.org to make a donation by credit card. Checks may be mailed to The Salvation Army, PO Box 21787, St. Louis, MO 63109. Please designate the gift “Joplin Tornado.” Cell phone users may also text the word JOPLINto 80888 to make a $10 donation

About The Salvation Army:

The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination since 1865. 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. About 83 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in nearly 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org. To donate, please call 1-800-SAL-ARMY or go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.