Salvation Army Relief Efforts In Vermont Welcomed by Communities

Portland, ME (September 6, 2011) - While Tropical Storm Irene took its toll on many communities in southeastern Vermont, few areas were hit harder than Cleveland Street in Rutland. Nobody knows that better than The Salvation Army's Captain William Thompson, whose daily visits bring comfort and food to the suffering residents.

Captain Thompson has been delivering meals to residents on Cleveland Street which endured major flooding. Some homes on the street are still without power. Daily, we deliver lunch and dinner plus beverages and clean up kits to families in need. We have two meeting locations on the street and people now know when to come. They appreciate our assistance and thank us for every meal. "I have been in Rutland for over a week now assisting the community and no matter how tired I get it doesn't compare to what damage and difficulty these people are going through, Captain Thompson expressed.

The Salvation Army has been able to provide over 6,000 meals, snacks and beverages to Vermont residents affected by Irene since arriving on Tuesday, August 30^th. In addition, Salvation Army officers and volunteers have distributed 322 clean-up kits.

While Salvation Army canteens continue serving in the communities of Rutland and Ludlow, a canteen from Massachusetts has been working with us to assist the people in the town of Waterbury since Saturday. The disaster team is now working with the town and serving meals out of Saint Leo's Hall.

Today in Ludlow, meals were served by Major Charles Balcom, Commander of The Salvation Army's Rutland Corps who is coordinating the organization's relief efforts in this storm-ravaged part of the state.

Monetary donations to help The Salvation Army's hurricane relief efforts may be sent to:

The Salvation Army
Disaster Gift Processing Center
P.O. Box 1959
Atlanta, GA 30301
*Designation ‘2011 Hurricane Season'

• Credit card donations, please call: 1-800-SAL-ARMY
• Donate online: donate.salvationarmyusa.org/Irene
• Text to give: Text ‘STORM' to 80888 to make a $10 contribution.

Thank you!

About The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in London 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 The Salvation Army spends is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide.