Conway, AR (April 12, 2013) The Salvation Army returned to Botkinburg, Arkansas on Friday to continue meal service to first responders, volunteers and those affected by the tornado that struck the small town on Wednesday evening. Initial assessments indicate 33 homes were damaged, while leaving many homes and businesses without power due to multiple downed power lines in the rural community.
The Salvation Army provided 404 meals, 270 drinks and 348 snacks on Thursday and Friday. The Salvation Army feeding efforts are supported in part by a gift from our partners at Southwest Energy. Lt. Russell Clay reports he served a family who watched the home in front of them and behind them receive heavy damage while their home remained unscathed. Although the family was without power, they were out to help their neighbors as soon as the roads became passable.
Another volunteer reports he was out with some first responders out on Hardy Hill (an area heavily hit) where they visited with a 97 year old lady out raking her yard while waiting on assistance for a large downed tree over her well. They were able to provide lunch and pray with her as additional assistance arrived.
Local Emergency Management released The Salvation Army crew on Friday afternoon after a surge of community support from fellow neighbors.
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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.